BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Barbados will host this week’s Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ (IACHR) 166th Regular Session.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds (left) and Attorney General Dale Marshall. (BGIS)At a media launch ahead of the Monday, April 22, to Friday, April 26 session of the court, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds said Barbados had taken an “unprecedented step” for itself and the Eastern Caribbean by deciding to host the court’s in-person public hearings.
He explained that the hearings are a request for advisory opinions on matters about the climate crises and how the impacts intersect with countries’ duty to protect and preserve human rights.
“As you know, the Government of Barbados has taken this quest, this issue of the climate crisis very seriously…. We are way too small as an island, and all small island developing states are pretty much in the same category as Barbados is in, and we are not going to be able to move the needle on the issue of climate one iota simply because of our size, and we are just too small to be seen, heard and felt.
“However, we do have that which has come to be called moral strategic leadership ability; that ability to influence and impact the world’s attention by virtue of policy decisions which were taken, and this is but one such effort…,” Minister Symmonds said.
Attorney General Dale Marshall, who also attended the media launch, disclosed that Barbados would be making oral presentations before the court on Tuesday.
“It is important to note though, that these decisions, these advisory opinions are not going to be binding in the same way that a High Court decision in Barbados is binding. It sets out an exposition of the legal principles and comes down on one side or another. But in terms of specific issues, in terms of specific relief, in terms of specific challenges, those will still have to be dealt with at some point in time, in the future,” he explained. “But these advisory opinions reflect a clear understanding of and a statement of the law. And, therefore, they are considered to be a very important and influential resource for member states as we go forward and try to address the issues of climate change.”
Co-Agent and Head Counsel for Barbados, Robert Volterra, also spoke about the legal aspects pertaining to the IACHR outcomes. He said the sessions are an “attempt to establish concrete legal rules, identify concrete legal norms and obligations on states in relation to climate change in the protection of the environment”.
All activities carried out during the 166th Regular Session will take place at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, in the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business and Management Building.
