UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has welcomed the signing of an agreement with the Bahamas government paving the way for a regional branch of his Office (OHCHR) in the Caribbean.
Volker Türk,The Office will be located in the Bahamian capital, Nassau, and will serve all countries that belong to the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping..
Türk said CARICOM states’ unanimous support for its establishment is shared recognition that human rights are a pathway for solutions, and in this regard, he particularly mentioned their adoption of a consensus resolution at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva last November.
Turk said he was also encouraged by the regional grouping’s willingness to increase cooperation with his Office to address numerous challenges in the region, including climate change, the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (SDGs) and the enjoyment of the full range of human rights, and to strengthen their human rights architecture.
“Together with my team, I look forward to working with all CARICOM countries, fellow UN actors and other partners to advance human rights for everyone in the region,” he said.
