MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge said the Coalition Government is committed to the preservation of human rights and will continue to seek assistance in meeting its obligations.

He made the remarks on Wednesday during a public commemorative lecture at the University of Guyana (UG) in observance of the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR).

In his message, Greenidge said that despite Guyana being a small developing country, the promotion and protection of human rights remains one of the government’s highest principles. He reminded that Guyana is a signatory to virtually all the human rights instruments adopted by the international community since the 1948 declaration.

However, he acknowledged that the country still has much to achieve regarding human rights. “While it is our intention to fulfill our obligations, limited technical capacity poses some bit of a challenge and, as such, there is some time difficulty in fulfilling— in a timely manner—all of our monitoring and reporting obligations under these international instruments. Guyana therefore welcomes all assistance extended to us in helping us to overcome this particular challenge,” Greenidge said.

The foreign affairs minister also noted that at the national level, legislation has been put in place to address the rights of persons such as women, children and the country’s indigenous peoples who face horrors such as rape, domestic violence and trafficking in persons.

On the topic of gender equality, he remarked: “The government has supported and continues to support the empowerment of our Guyanese women with several female appointments to some of the most senior posts in the country including our judiciary, parliament and the executive.”

Greenidge added: “Let us remember that despite significant progress by the international community in the promotion and protection of human rights over the last 70 years, we still face daunting challenges in these areas. We cannot, therefore, let those challenges overcome us, indeed the price will be too high. We must work together to find common ground in those areas where our position are far apart and we should increase efforts in those areas…in order to ensure those who need us to promote their rights are not disappointed.”

Meanwhile, addressing the gathering on the topic of ‘Why Human Rights Matter’ was Member of the Human Rights Committee and Appeal Court Judge, Arif Bulkan.

Justice Bulkan said that although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a non-binding document, its significance should not be undermined. He stated that the Human Rights Committee continues to contribute to the development and understanding of human rights while, locally, Guyana has worked within the last five decades to uphold and protect human rights.

In referencing the Caribbean Court of Justice’s recent declaration of on Guyana’s cross-dressing law, Bulkan stated: “The reality is that the clock cannot be turned back or the bell unrung. Having gone through the elaborate processes of enshrining and extending rights, the state is bound to respect and protect them and in doing so, will be held to evolve in international standards in their interpretations.”

Areas he highlighted where more progress is needed include: greater commitment to the implementation of human rights; the strengthening of key institutions and the development of a culture of respect for human rights. Remarks came, too, from President of the Human Rights Council, His Excellency Vojislav Suc, who made presentations on the Human Rights Council and its goal in promoting human rights in the world. The UDHR was adopted by the UN General Assembly 70 years ago at its third session on December 10, 1948.

It is an international document that states basic rights and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings are entitled.