A joint message from the United Nations System and the European Union Delegation in Guyana on the occasion of International Human Rights Day 2021

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day 2021, the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) in Guyana are partnering to reaffirm our commitment to stand up for human rights and equality.

Around the globe, The European Union and the United Nations system work hand in hand in almost all areas that are critical for protection and promotion of human rights. The UN’s humanitarian action and peace operations around the globe are possible in no small part thanks to the contributions and leadership of the European Union and its member states. Further, The European Union and the United Nations system champion the Women, Peace and Security Agenda by pooling resources, tools, and expertise to develop real solutions and deliver impactful projects at the community and national levels. The partnership between EU and UN is rooted in the conviction that today’s global challenges require a multilateral response system, founded on universal rules and values.

International Human Rights Day coincides with the final day of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. During this period, in Guyana, we tried to lend our voice and support to the cause of ending violence against women and girls and promoting the rights of persons living with disabilities. As we did so, we were inspired by the resilience and resolution of our partners in Guyana to stand up for equality and for the rights of women and girls. We were proud to support the work of the growing network of women with disabilities and their engagement in the national movement. In this framework, the European Union Delegation recently awarded its Annual Human Rights Award to a grassroots activist for Women Rights, and reiterated its firm commitment for equal rights and against gender violence. The EU Delegation has a strong partnership in that direction with Guyana, and  supports a large number of civil society organizations fighting for equal rights.

The flagship program through which The European Union and the United Nations system deliver on our shared commitment to human rights in Guyana is the Spotlight Initiative. This is a global, multi-year partnership between the European Union and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.  Launched in 2020, the Spotlight Initiative represents our commitment to the gender equality targets of the Sustainable Development Goals and the European Union's global human rights priority to achieve gender equality. Coordinated in Guyana by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, the program supports national partners to provide integrated response services for survivors of gender-based violence and to build the systems for preventing this gross violation of the fundamental rights of women and girls. It helps bring together the resources and capacities of multiple government institutions, civil society and community-based organizations, the private sector, and the women’s movement in an “all of Guyana” approach to end violence against women and to achieve gender equality.    

The Secretary-General of the United Nations has described inequality as the defining challenge of our era – one that the Covid-19 crisis has thrown into even greater relief.  Yet, no one is safe until everyone is safe. The EU and its Member States are among the largest contributors to COVAX. Launched by the UN and its partners, COVAX is the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history. Through this facility WHO/PAHO has helped deliver more than three hundred thousand COVID-19 vaccines in Guyana and over five hundred million vaccines globally.  The vaccines that arrive here in Guyana and to many destinations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America are transported through a unique partnership between EU airlines and UNICEF. COVAX is a truly global and multilateral effort supported by the EU, its member states, other major donors and many countries to help narrow inequalities between and within nations in access to vaccines; and, to protect health as a fundamental part of human rights for all.

Going forward, The European Union and the United Nations system share the commitment to support the national efforts here in Guyana and elsewhere to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and to get back on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly by “leaving no one behind.”  Leaving no one behind requires placing people and protection of their rights at the heart of development, anchored in the system of rights and obligations established by international law. The EU and its member states are among the staunchest supporters of this rules-based international system with the UN at its core. We recognize and commend Guyana’s active engagement in this international system and value Guyana’s commitment to strengthen local capacity and the national mechanisms for coordination, implementation, reporting and follow-up of its international treaty obligations, including through the Universal Periodic Review process.

On this day and every day, in Guyana and everywhere, we stand up for human rights, for rights of women and girls, and for equality between and within countries!