–joins initiative that supports development of programmes in the Caribbean, Latin America

CHIEF of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan, and US Army General Laura Richardson, Commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), on Thursday, signed a Human Rights Framework committing their organisations to “human rights engagement, co-operation and integration.”

With the signing of the framework, Guyana became the 13th nation to join SOUTHCOM’s Human Rights Initiative (HRI), which marked its 25th anniversary in December with a commemorative event hosted by the command and attended by more than 100 representatives from Western Hemisphere militaries, governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and academia.

According to a press release from the US Embassy in Guyana, rooted in SOUTHCOM efforts to promote a culture of respect for human rights in the early 90s, the HRI was established in 1997 to bring together military, public security, government, and civil society representatives from across the hemisphere with the aim of developing comprehensive and effective human rights programmes for defence and security forces that focused on four crucial areas: Doctrine, education and training, internal control systems, and co-operation with civilian authorities.

In 2002, with input from more than 30 democratic countries and human rights experts from academia, as well as international and non-government organisations (NGOs), the HRI contributed to the development of a Consensus Document on human rights that currently serves as a human rights model.

Under the Human Rights Framework and through membership in the HRI, the GDF formalises its intent to implement the Consensus Document with support from SOUTHCOM’s Human Rights Office.

“Human Rights has always been a pillar of the Guyana Defence Force’s operational and administrative mandate and is reflected in its values and standards. The opportunity to sign on to the regional initiative demonstrates the GDF’s commitment to the principles and promotion of human rights. The GDF continues to improve its awareness of and respect for human rights,” the press release stated.

Through its Human Rights Office, SOUTHCOM has previously supported the efforts of 12 countries that committed to implementing human rights programmes in their defence or public security institutions, including the Dominican Republic, which established the first Latin American military school dedicated to human rights education, as well as Colombia and Peru, which also established military schools dedicated to human rights education and training.