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Do not delay in seeking justice when human rights are concerned
– retired Canadian Judge
“There must be no delay in seeking justice when human rights are concerned, particularly genocide or other related issues. There should be no time line for redress; no prescription,” prominent Judge (retired) Honourable Madame Justice Claire L’Heureux-Dubé explained when speaking on the topical issue of reparations for slavery and native genocide.
Madame Justice Claire L’Heureux-Dubé
Justice L’Heureux-Dubé served as a justice on the Supreme Court of Canada from 1987 to 2002. She was the first woman from Quebec; (a French-speaking providence in east-central Canada) and the second woman appointed to this position. She is a strong advocate for human rights and equality and was recently here as special guest speaker for a two-day colloquium between local judges, Canada, United Kingdom and Caribbean Court of Justice.
She told Kaieteur News that in her view, there is no time limit for redress for any injustice meted out to someone, especially when it infringes on their right as a human being. She was making particular reference to insinuations made internationally about the length of time that had gone by since the days of slavery and that one of the culpable nations for slavery and native genocide, had pointed out that there could be no case past a certain number of years.
“They (descendants) have the right to reparations, whatever time it is, because this affects human rights and it cannot be persuaded,” L’Heureux-Dubé urged. She pointed out that one cannot judge without proof, “evidence is necessary, but more difficult if it goes back,” She did submit that other means of proof have been used where historians have been able to bring proof, and elders give evidence in a matter that has great age.
L’Heureux-Dubé said that the Caribbean people have a legitimate right to seek redress to slavery and native genocide.
The Caribbean Cis pursuing this with much vigour as every nation involved is gathering its evidence to take to Europe in June. It will be the first official approach to the former slave-owning nations to seek compensation for years of slavery and elimination of some aboriginal clans of the West Indies.
The Caribbean Community has already secured the services of an English law firm if Europe is to deny the Caribbean’s claim. Leaders are hoping that the matter will not reach as far as the international court.
Members and stakeholders of the reparations committee in a general meeting
The local reparations committee has been meeting weekly in compiling Guyana’s case, despite the poor records that were kept by the English colonizers. Its chairman Eric Phillips said. They will be meeting to inform the nation of their stage of progress this morning.
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