Shakadan Daniel’s death has drawn much concern in relation to modern legislative laws and litigation where we rely upon the professionalism of custodians and that of the penal system. Though many agree that human rights are of key significance in our society, very little has been done to educate the general populace on the Human Rights Conventions. Human Rights are fundamental to human development and shape our modern understandings of what actions are morally permissible when interacting within our own society. Rights structure very nature of governments, the content of our laws, and the shaping of our moral values and our ability to act responsibly to our fellow humankind. Such moralities and universal values are usually geared towards shaping our human and national development- in relation to personhood, collectivism and patriotism.
Felicia Browne, who was recently awarded a Ambassador for Peace, agrees that though our legal and human rights advocates have continued to advocate for justice and peace within our society, not much has been done to educate various sectors on Human Rights. Human Rights have been often seen as a nuisance in many social matters. However, it is imperative that the rights of others, regardless of soci-economic backgrounds, must be upheld by the State and human institution.
Victims of human rights violation are becoming an international and global concern. These violations have an extremely devastating effect, not only on the victim but the perpetrator as well. Theories of Victimology recognize that passive victims are more likely to be prone to further abuse within their formative and developmental stages. These may manifest themselves through various forms of violence, which include but not limited to; bullying, rape, suicide, crime and gun violence. In many cases, families of human rights victims are usually prone to further violence or injustices which may create a space for internal and immediate conflicts that are far removed by possible solutions.
Browne adds that “Governmental and non-government organisations must not remain at loggerheads with each other, nor remain silent on matters of human dignity. A young citizen has died, and it is the State’s responsible that the general public, including the media, understand how such cases are being handled without any biases or ambiguities. Our country needs and requires good leadership and transparency in order that citizens are able to feel safe and secure. Sadly, what we are now observing is that people no longer feel that the local police stations are safe for their families when they are held in custody. There is a growing element of fear, uncertainty and lack of faith in our judicial and social systems. Criminal activity and violence is escalating with society from our homes, schools and now our prisons. Can we currently be certain, without any reasonable doubt, that Shakatan Daniel was not simply bullied by the authority to the point of death- directly or indirectly? Was young Daniel a victim of an injustice system where persons in authority are claimed to have more rights than others? Do our families need to mourn for similar losses of sons and daughters, before serious changes are made in our justice system? Had CCTV and proper monitoring of the system been in place, would Shakatan Daniel be dead today? Does having only one pathologist and the lack of a functional forensic lab in this developing country not warrant some serious and reflective concerns by our policy makers?
These are questions we must ask if we are to ensure that no such event occurs again. We must implement effective policies on Human Rights may have saved the life of this young man and others. As leaders in our communities must recognise the role we play within our communities and places of employment. Our young leaders are observing those policies, behaviours and solutions in addressing various social concerns that we are faced with, and we must ensure we set the example of good moral leadership that they can then follow.
It is a time where peaceful resolutions are deeply needed. In the case of Mr. Daniel, we have lost a young citizen and we must try to ensure that his death is a symbol for greater peace and justice within our society. His death should not be seen as a tug-of-war between the State, families and advocates, but it must be seen as an opportunity to begin immediate and effective human rights awareness within all facets of society – schools, police force, civil servants and private sectors. Human rights must also be seen as a developmental tool to project greater economic and social stability. Our leaders should be seeking those clear advantages when dealing with sensitive concerns on human rights violations. We must never forget our ability to show compassion, empathy and humanity. We need to revisit our traditional ways of doing things and seek alternative ways to foster a greater level of compassion for each other. It is clear that everyone has been affected by this tragedy but we must ensure that the law is effective and contemporary enough to deal with such challenges. Additionally, the inadequacies within the criminal law and justice system must reflect international standards of human rights policies. Proper legal infrastructures like CCTV and video recording in police stations, counselling for custodians who are awaiting trial, as well as an independent victim’s aid should be implemented to alleviate these challenges.
We must begin to practice these fundamental rights in order that peace, justice and fairness are encouraged to flourish within our small society. We must NOT wait until a tragedy occurs for us to inform the public about their rights. Human rights are universal rights. Every human being has rights that protect them from harm from others, including the State. Human Rights Advocates and the media must continue to educate the society on the Human Rights acts as well as examples of human rights violations. We have heard all too often, that someone‘s rights have been violated, but do we know which Human Rights have been violated? We need to conduct educational programs that educate on human rights in order that children, youths, women and men, all have a fair understanding of those basic human rights. Some universal rights include the right to a nationality, the right to an education, the right to proper legislative procedures and the right to health.” We need to save lives and become more humanistic in our approaches to good governance and policy making if we hope to achieve a peaceful and prosperous nation.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Two-years-of-hell-in-a-Barbados-prison
Is it the intention of the prime minister to go to the Commonwealth Heads of State meeting in Sri Lanka, a country with a history of barbarism, of is he sending a junior minister? If he is going has he said why?
She-it Islandgal246@ this reading of this reminds us , we, of the two (2) Barbados Police behave come face to face no cover on his head, if he did it would touch, To us it seem he was a friend of the person who called and behave bad out side of his Duty,
Calling us Bajan Yankees who come here thinking they better than WE , look to start a fight with us , Even have stolen the lock of the gate so we may not lock the gate,This went on for over 30 mins it seems even wanted to arrest one of us for one would be a witness for the other,
The other policeman stud by saying nor doing nothing as one seem to be the leader of the pack,Intimidation did not work so they went on they way as they were out of talk and we did not fear them , But it showed us another part of this,
Some of these Persons not happy with working nor them self and will use their work to vent their true feelings, The can apply for a visa and go to the states but they stay on the island and bitch about the people who travel
In most cases, not matter how bad people think they have in Barbados , at least they are HOME,
We can never be home in another country, but we can live there.
But when home and your own people behave like the KKK in America i sit and watch and just smh,
We complained to the PCB,
Nothing as yet
Hal Austin
“Sri Lanka, a country with a history of barbarism,”
You have no facts that could possibly justify that ridiculous statement.
Is Felicia Browne a GENDER advocate or a WOMAN’S advocate?
I have found out lately that they are one and the same.
what felicia browne advocates some in barbados society would find hard to endorse for over the past two weekes i have witnessed how many especially among the male gender of our society have used the most ridiculous and judgemental reasons to justify human rights violation .
Hal said:
“If he is going has he said why?”
_____________________________—-
Hal……question you should ask is, does he even know why”
_____________________________
Carson………….i take it you never heard of the Tamil Tigers, just yesterday BBC ran an episode where females are openly raped, brutally tortured and their naked bodies splayed out on display, the pictures on BBC were very graphic…………you need to educate yourself on the Beasts from the EAST, they are nothing more than swines of the earth.
If u look around carefully u would find some swine here on BU disguiseas intellectuals to name a few like “A BUSH TEA who advocates violence against minors and intolerance against basic human rights namely gays. an intolerance for woman whch goeas far back as the AX taking up the mantel of a male principal who himself lacked discipline in HR .Yes her on BU the male chauvinist pigs and intolerance for HUMAN RIGHTS shines brightly maybe we should be pointing fingers inward and not outward looking at our own.
The ‘discovery’ that man has certain inalienable rights has been man’s greatest achievement in terms of law, ethics and right behaviour since the Greek philosophers and they might be said to give practical expression to much of Jesus’ teachings and to take them a step further. The problem is how to express these in legal terms and the range of activities where ‘rights’ kick in. Some of the things the post writer mentions have nothing to do with human rights as we now understand them, eg the provision of CCTV cameras, and it is all too easy to categorize a situation which we don’t like as a human rights’ violation. This is where AC and I part company over the school sex thing.
Uh know u guys kick and scream at my position.Barbados has signed on to many international agreements .it would not be surprising if many of the laws on the books are not brought up to speed in accordance with international law.Something of which barbados was adviced of by the CCJ
Well Well. | November 11, 2013 at 10:35 AM |
Carson………….i take it you never heard of the Tamil Tigers, just yesterday BBC ran an episode where females are openly raped, brutally tortured and their naked bodies splayed out on display, the pictures on BBC were very graphic…………you need to educate yourself on the Beasts from the EAST, they are nothing more than swines of the earth.
HAVE YOU NOT GOT IT YET?
BOTH ENDS OF THIS IDIOTS GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT ARE THE SAME
CONSEQUENTLY THEY BOTH EMIT FAECULENT MATERIAL WHEN OPEN
@ Georgie Porgie | November 11, 2013 at 2:15 PM |
LOL!! What a nice sophisticated way of telling CCC he is a sewage line transporting gaseous SISO (shit in, shite out).
Maybe the government can make him a permanent fixture on the West Coast to handle the crap that would soon becoming from the Sandals plant at Heywoods.
@GP those without sin cast the first stone…………first take the mote out of one eye. People who lives in glass houses should not throw stones. The CCJ reprimanded Barbados for Human rights violations rules and agreements which they signed and agreeded upon. How easy it is to see others darkness but turn a blind eye to Ones. Now go ahead cuss me.
YOU ARE NOT WORTH IT AC
Well Well
The government of Sri Lanka was always remarkably calm in the face of the revolt by the Tamils. That is why that conflict dragged on for so long.
It is also worthy of note that the Tamils were backed to the hilt by the Indian Government.
Georgie Porgie
Have you ever heard about “Garbage in, garbage out”?
That describes you to a “T”.
Miller(UNCLE TOM)
I wont even dignify your comment with a reply.
@ Carson C. Cadogan | November 11, 2013 at 5:34 PM |
Thanks, SISO! Or do you prefer CICO ?
Now look at this all the attentiion and focus on those whose point of view are different.. Now go ahead cuss ac.Cause the day will soon be coming when anothe Myrie shows up at barbados doorsteps and all them that where pelting big rocks and pretending to know whts right and whats wrong going have to take the catspraddling this little island gonna have to endure once more. as for ac i wil just sit back and watch.too dumb to say i told u so.
Carson C. Cadogan | November 11, 2013 at 5:31 PM |
Georgie Porgie
Have you ever heard about “Garbage in, garbage out”?
That describes you to a “T”.
EUSTINE DID NOT THINK SO, LIKKLE BOY, GO ASK HER
@ Carson C. Cadogan | November 11, 2013 at 5:34 PM |
“Miller(UNCLE TOM)”
The Miller might be an Uncle Tom but how would you describe yourself being a uncompromising sycophant of a lackey yard bird to an administration that is dictated to and controlled by a rather Bizzy Bajan of poor white backra johnny origins and a Jamaican white Creole bully called Butch? What about the (b)jerk-hams and Mal-oneys?
Now who is the real Uncle Tom? Crossovers from Twain’s characters like wannabe Tom Sawyer Sealy, the buffoon Sinckler playing Huck Finn or the village idiot innocuous “Jimmy” Stuart(?) a slave to his political hand he has been given in order not to be sold down the river of political obscurity?
ac !
Take a break
Carson……….i am speaking about and against the brutal murders and rapes of young women that some are saying is state sanctioned, meaning government sanctioned, you know what i mean something like “crack heads and shoot some people”, does that not sound familiar ….get a grip.
GP……..one can only try..
ac. said:
“ow go ahead cuss ac.Cause the day will soon be coming when anothe Myrie shows up at barbados doorsteps and all them that where pelting big rocks and pretending to know whts right and whats wrong going have to take the catspraddling this little island gonna have to endure once more. as for ac i wil just sit back and watch.too dumb to say i told u so.”
_________________________________________
ac……..you have spoken way too soon, i am told another Jamaican, this time a 51 year old male just sued Barbados…….please tell us how dumb you are again…………..
Well Well
“i am speaking about and against the brutal murders and rapes of young women that some are saying is state sanctioned,”
The only one talking about that is you.
Well Well
I will call my buddy in Sri Lanka and ask him what you are talking about.
You know how you always get your “facts” wrong.
millertheanunnaki | November 11, 2013 at 6:43 PM
All those words to say nothing at all.
Sorry soul.
UNCLE TOM
btw has ADRIAN invited you up to his INN for your supper as yet?
Yeah dat is a done deal..sumbody told me that they saw him shopping for high heels
BOY oh how the mighty have gotten quiet can even contribute a word to an article that is highly significant in the development of a country and society welfare. what a pity .what a shame. any how not to be left out are one or two still dtermined to keep barbados in the dark ages.
Carson……….i thought i was imagining it over the last few days, but both you and ac have finally totally disconnected yourselves from reality…..i BET you it’s because everything is spinning out of control (not that they had any control to begin with) for the DLP & Yardfowls.com.
let me say this what bajans seem not to understand that Barbados is guided by international Law. the perceptiion that Barbados laws are sufficient to protect its own was was overuled by the MYRIE case. this case should be an eye opener to all.However from reading the many comments which more lends them self to an attitude of selfrighteouness and “we know it all” on matters of HR it is clear that many still believe that Barbados laws are enough and justifiable correct to administer favourable justice.
Now moving on to the nation article.my comments were not intended to formulate controversary but to serve as a warning. ..A warning that barbados and barbadians in general are “sitting ducks”and are not exempt or isolated from legal matters in the area of HR..however given the legal outcome of the MYRIE case one has been given an advantage to see such matters on a broader and international scope a judgementwhich is meaningful and purposeful and one which i take my cue. I REST MY CASE.
Why is our prime minister going to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Sri Lanka, one of the most brutal and barbaric governments in the world?
Is this his homage to human rights?
Details Category: Chogm 2013 Published on Tuesday, 12 November 2013 18:05
Jamaica Arrives
.
The Foreign Minister of Jamaica Mr. Arnold Joseph Nicholson arrived in Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 beginning in Colombo, Sri Lanka, this week.
http://news.lk/features/chogm-2013/7508-foreign-minister-of-jamaica-arrives-in-sri-lanka-for-chogm-2013
Well Well
if you really want news about Sri Lanka check the website, I was asked to tell you that.
The talk about rape etc. is being spread by pro Tamil tiger supporters some thing like the Barbados Labour Party here in Barbados..
Well Well & Hal Austin
No wonder you BLP people have latched onto it.
How come Felicia Browne is silent on what is going on in the DR?
“CARICOM urged to take strong action against Dominican Republic
Published on November 12, 2013
By Ken Richards
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (WINN) — A leading academic has urged CARICOM to act expeditiously to underscore the region’s objection to the Dominican Republic constitutional court ruling that strips tens of thousands of Dominicans of Haitian descent of their citizenship.
WI professor emeritus Norman Girvan has pointed to concrete steps he said the regional grouping can take to send a clear, unambiguous message to Santo Domingo.
“We would like first of all to see CARICOM officially boycott all events, regional events which are being held in the Dominican Republic,” Girvan indicated.
“Secondly we would like to see CARICOM put on hold the application of the Dominican Republic to become a member of the community. That application has been pending for some time, no action has been taken on it but we would like for it to be officially put on hold, pending a satisfactory resolution,” Girvan said.
He also wants Santo Domingo kept away from the Caribbean Development Bank.
According to the outspoken academic, the Dominican Republic is aspiring to become a member of the CDB “and I assume a borrowing member”.
He said taking such significant steps would send a strong message to the Dominican Republic that the region is serious about its concerns regarding the citizenship problem in Santo Domingo.
Girvan backed recent protest action by a Port of Spain-based group known as Jouvay Ayiti, against the constitutional court ruling.
Another well known academic who has spoken out on a range of Caribbean matters, Dr Neville Duncan, agreed that CARICOM must take a firm stand against what is happening in the Dominican Republic.”
http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-CARICOM-urged-to-take-strong-action-against-Dominican-Republic-18590.html
@Hal
Our politicians are never expected to demonstrate a position, they go with the flow.
@ David
The brutal murder of tens of thousands of people, including elderly women and children, obviously does not register on our governmental moral compass.
Not even when the United Nations has called for an investigation and the Sri Lankan government has refused to cooperate.
We just go on playing cricket and pretending they are civilised.
We stand for any thing anything. Our politicians do not have to defend human rig
hts positions or nothing.
OFF TOPIC
By Renaldo Toote, Eugene Dupuch Law School
Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry v Desiree Alleyene [2011] CCJ 5 (AJ)
Ms Alleyne was a director of Wilson Enterprises, a Guyanese company which borrowed money from the Appellant Bank. The company defaulted on the loan and the bank sued Ms Alleyne as she had signed a guarantee acknowledging her personal liability to repay the loan. Ms Alleyne’s defence to the suit was that her signature on the guarantee was forged.
The Bank led evidence by two of its officers, Ms Shaw and Mr Chen showing that Ms Alleyne signed the guarantee in the presence of two witnesses. It also filed computer printouts to show that Wilson Enterprises had defaulted on their loan payments and that the company owed the Bank in excess of $10 million. The trial judge ruled in favour of the Bank.
The Court of Appeal set aside this decision and ordered a re-trial on the basis that the evidence surrounding Ms Alleyne’s signature was inconsistent and the bank had not shown that it had made a written demand for payment of the loan. The Bank successfully appealed this decision to the CCJ.
The Court emphasized that appellate courts should be cautious in interfering with findings of fact made by a trial judge. The trial judge had the advantage of seeing and hearing the witnesses and his findings should only be overturned in exceptional cases. The fact that the Court of Appeal may have come to a different conclusion based on the evidence presented is not a sufficient basis for ordering a re-trial.
The Court also set out the procedure for computer printouts to be admitted into evidence. Under section 91 of the Evidence Act computer printouts must be accompanied by a written certificate or oral evidence from the person responsible for computer operations showing that the computer was functioning properly. The Court acknowledged that this procedure was not followed in this case.
However, this did not mean that the records were inadmissible evidence. Ms Alleyne’s attorney did not object to them and therefore had waived any objection that the requirements of section 91 were not met. The Bank was therefore entitled to succeed in its claim for repayment of the loan, having proved both the company’s indebtedness and Ms Alleyne’s guarantee.
http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-CCJ-Corner%3A-Facts-and-evidence-18606.html
Carson…….the BBC is documenting the Sri Lankan matter, you were asked to tell me by your masters, that does not hold much water with me, so you are saying the BBC is lying??….I saw the documentary with my own two eyes….i mean for the last few days i really thought i was hallucinating when seeing the comments from you an ac, but that is different.
Hal…………everyone except the DLP and company knows about the human rights violations perpetrated by the Beasts of the Middle East, remember, Maxine McClean went signing accords with Bulgaria, totally unaware that they are known criminals….hence the money disappeared from the ATMs in Barbados last month, the DLP is a clueless lot………..Carson, to make you feel much better…..the BLP are not much different.
McClean did not sign any treaty with Bulgaria, it was with the EU.
David………if it’s as you say, that means she signed with all the countries that make up the EU, the document i read specified Bulgaria as being a member of the EU and it all specified Bulgarians not all members of the EU, I don’t know if there is a separation clause as it pertains to individual countries, but only Bulgaria was mentioned in the document..
Well ! well! to make u feel better i suggest u wash yuh mout out wid salt water. that would remove ac name from your mouth that is stuck in your craw.Clown
PLANTATION DEEDS FROM 1926 TO 2013 , MASSIVE FRAUD ,LAND TAX BILLS AND NO DEEDS OF BARBADOS, BLPand DLP=Massive Fruad | November 11, 2013 at 7:10 AM | …….I haven’t a clue what you are talking about and I have been trying real hard to understand. I give up.
I am horrified and sickened what that 51 year old Jamaican man Mr Casells is saying about his ordeal in Barbados. If this is true how many more persons have been locked up for no reason and denied their basic human rights? That article in the Observer shook me to the bone. I await to hear more about this case. If this allegation is true the human rights watchdogs will be on our case. Our judiciary and our Immigration authorities will take another beating. Unless there is reform they are doing irreparable harm to our citizens and our country.
@islandgal
How many times have we posted in the Tales from the Courts the length of time Barbadians are on remand?
Barbados and barbadians in general would pay the ultimate price for being arrogant and pigheaded. we ( not me included) boast of of first rate education system but refused to put it to good use prefer to be stuck in the past and traditions of what used to be while the rest of the world forges ahead .WE have in more ways than one become victims of our own doings.chasting others rather than facing our faults.What happened!
David if they don’t care about changing the system for locals, then maybe this incident where the man claims he had done nothing wrong, no one knew where he was and his correspondence was confiscated, then we will be sued and ridiculed again for the whole world to see. This sounds like a third world police state.
@islandgal
Waiting to hear more about this incident. But you are correct, there will be good in a challenge if true.
ac………LOL!!
Hope McClean did not sign any treaties with Romania, these Romas are ‘white’ people and the British are now running scared……..
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2504472/Fears-civil-unrest-Sheffield-locals-action-Roma-migrants.html
@ Well, Well
We are all Europeans now.
David
“The length of time on remand”
To which you can add the misuse of the Bail Act.
Carson…the video is dedicated especially to you, we know ac will also benefit since she will be standing right beside you…
http://vitaminl.tv/video/885
_________________________________________
Hal………….from the reception given to the Romas, it is hard to believe that Europe is supposed to be under one Union..
Hal…….i thought there were only 14 or 15 countries in the European Union, correct me if i am wrong……countries like Switzerland et al refuse to join.
@ Well, Well
One thing is certain, they will be better treated than Afro-Caribbean people. Put a Roman in a suit and he is just another European; after the first generation a Pole is just another Brit with a funny surname.
Go through the records at the National Archives and see the number of Europeans who have ‘Anglicised’ their names.
We have been here before.
Hal Austin | November 13, 2013 at 10:33 AM |
@ Well, Well
“One thing is certain, they will be better treated than Afro-Caribbean people.”
_____________________________
We know that is guaranteed, the Trevors can jump up and down, the Romas are there to stay, the brits wanted slave labor and they will soon see the island of england sold right from under them, wait until the Bulgarians arrive,lol, the only thing left behind will indeed be the mountain goats….i call that karma.
Mauritian PM to join Sri Lanka Commonwealth summit boycott
Mr Ramgoolam said he did not feel Sri Lanka had done enough to investigate alleged abuses
Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has become the third leader to announce a boycott of this week’s Commonwealth summit in Colombo over Sri Lanka’s human rights record.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper are also staying away.
Sri Lanka is accused of committing widespread abuses in the final months of its war against Tamil Tiger rebels.
The Sri Lankan government strongly denies the claims.
Mr Ramgoolam told Mauritius’ parliament on Tuesday that he would not attend the meeting and that Mauritius will instead be represented by Foreign Minister Arvin Boolell.
“My information that I have tried to get from different quarters is that the Sri Lankan Government is not doing enough,” Mr Ramgoolam told parliament, referring to Sri Lanka’s human rights record.
“I cannot, with the principle that I have taken all this time I am in politics, attend the summit,” he added.
Mr Boolell told the BBC’s Tamil Service he did not think the decision would adversely affect relations between the two countries.
Menon Murday, a representative of the Tamil community in Mauritius, was quoted as welcoming Mr Ramgoolam’s decision.
The Sri Lankan capital has been preparing for the beginning of the summit
‘No accountability’
India also announced earlier this week that Mr Singh would not go to the summit, and that India’s foreign minister would attend instead.
Correspondents in Delhi say there had been growing pressure on Mr Singh to boycott the summit, especially from Tamil politicians in India.
In October, Mr Harper said he had not taken the decision to boycott the meeting lightly.
But he said a lack of accountability for human rights abuses “during and after the civil war is unacceptable”.
Canada is home to the largest expatriate Sri Lankan Tamil community. Many migrated over the past few decades as civil war gripped Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s army defeated the ethnic-Tamil rebels after a brutal 26-year war that left at least 100,000 people dead.
Both sides were accused of human rights abuses throughout the conflict, with much focus on its final stages when thousands of civilians were trapped in a thin strip of land in the north of Sri Lanka.
Estimates of civilian deaths in the final months range widely from 9,000 to 75,000.
The Sri Lankan government commissioned its own investigation into the war in 2011.
It cleared the military of claims that it deliberately attacked civilians. It said that there had been some violations by troops, although only at an individual level.
@Well Well
It would be constructive if you restrain yourself from provoking others by your comments.
The only person not seeing what is going on in Sri Lanka is Carson…