AMBASSADOR Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett’s spirited defence of Guyana’s human rights record at the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review this week represents a watershed moment for our nation’s global standing.

As Guyana went through its fourth review since 2010, Birkett articulately described how our nation has converted hardship into opportunity via conscious investment in human rights infrastructure across sectors.

Her speech was not merely a diplomatic courtesy but a firm reiteration of Guyana’s unwavering commitment to upholding the dignity and rights of all citizens irrespective of their ethnicity, geography, or social standing. This commitment to human rights in healthcare, education, prison reform, and responding to domestic violence is proof that this government knows that true national development is impossible without the protection of the basic rights of citizens.

The government’s own human rights policy is beautifully integrated, recognising that social advance rests on a number of interconnected issues being resolved simultaneously.
Birkett’s own emphasis on the administration’s efforts to bridge the digital gap between coastal and rural areas is particularly significant. By bringing the internet to Amerindian communities under the Office of the Prime Minister’s hinterland connectivity initiative, the government is tackling one of the most pervasive forms of our modern-day inequality.

This isn’t just a matter of technology-it is an ideological commitment to the idea that no Guyanese citizen ought to be left behind in our rapidly expanding economy. As Birkett aptly noted, “if the digital divide continues, we cannot speak of development in a fulsome way.”

Perhaps most inspiring was Ambassador Birkett’s explanation of the government’s approach to Guyana’s rich ethnic tapestry.

Her comment that “We see diversity as strength, but we also see that if you do not invest in diversity, it can be used to ferment divisions” demonstrates a high level of awareness of the possibilities and dangers in our multicultural society.

This perception is consistent with President Ali’s One Guyana vision that Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett previously highlighted as part of the celebrations for Guyana’s 55th Republic Anniversary, in which she asserted that, according to this vision, religious diversity and harmony are not weaknesses but strengths.

The government clearly recognises that national unity does not result from rhetoric but through deliberate investment and persistent effort against those who would exploit differences to pursue political agendas.
The commitment of the government to human rights even reaches those who have been out of favour with the law. Recent prison reforms as practised by Prison Director Nicklon Elliot are a paradigm shift on how Guyana approaches criminal justice.

By reorganising prisons into facilities that are more rehabilitative than punitive, the government is demonstrating a progressive awareness that maintaining human dignity transcends everyone, including inmates.

Elliot’s emphasis on reforming the buildings to provide space that encourages learning, creativity, and reflection is evidence of an administration that believes rehabilitation is a matter of conscience as much as policy necessity in preventing recidivism.

The Prison Service’s effort to provide extensive care to all the prisoners nationwide so they can have the same level of care as members of society also shows compliance with universal human rights.

The state’s response in combating family violence through schemes like the P.A.T.R.O.L. scheme (Police Advanced Training & Readiness for Operational Leverage) illustrates the seriousness of its intention to protect vulnerable segments.
As there is more police readiness and reaction to cases involving family violence and more focus placed on the recently enacted Family Violence Act 2024, the government is initiating real action in rendering a definite reaction to a serious human rights issue.

This approach, through community outreaches and raising awareness, demonstrates an understanding that effective human rights protection requires sound legal framework and community engagement.

As the UPR Working Group moves towards adoption of recommendations to Guyana on May 9, let us be proud of the strong case that Ambassador Birkett and her Geneva team presented.

Our nation stands at a turning point in its history, developing economically while constructing its human rights infrastructure.
The message that our delegation sent was direct: Guyana sees human rights, not on the fringes of development but at its centre. Despite the inevitable setbacks that are ahead, Guyana is commitment to human rights for all of its people makes our nation an emerging model for people-oriented development in the Caribbean.

The years ahead will certainly try this commitment, but with ongoing investment in our institutions and people, there is every reason to think that Guyana will continue to prosper while protecting the dignity and rights of all who make this country their home.