The Grenada Human Rights Organization Inc is celebrating ten years

The Grenada Human Rights Organization Inc is celebrating ten years of human rights activism here in Grenada and the Caribbean with a series of activities leading up to December 10th 2009 – International Human Rights Day.

The Grenada Human Rights Organisation Inc was commissioned on December 10th 1999 during a ceremony at Norton's Hall, Church Street, St. George's. In what was described as a very ‘impressive’ observance of International Human Rights Day - IHRD - (10th December), president of the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Human Rights Organisation - Mr. Victor Cuffy gave the 'charge' to the emerging leadership of GHRO Inc as they accepted the human rights mandate – to educate, promote and protect the ‘rights of the vulnerable people’ here in Grenada and the wider Caribbean.

Ten years later, GHRO Inc has gone through many trials and challenges in fulfilling its mandate to promote and protect the rights of the vulnerable members of society and to educate citizens about their constitutional, human and inalienable rights. But, with a committed and proactive leadership, GHRO Inc has launched a series of activities in preparation for the observance of 10 years of human rights activism in Grenada.

GHRO Inc is a member of the Grenada National Coalition for the Rights of the Child (GNCRC) and the Civil Society Organisation (CSO); It has worked in partnership with the National Aids Directorate (NAD), the Grenada Bar Association (GBA), and the Grenada National Council for the Disabled (GNCD), Amnesty International - Grenada & the Caribbean and the Caribbean Human Rights Network (CHRN). Additionally, in association with the Switzerland based Centre for Housing and Eviction, GHRO Inc organised and coordinated a regional seminar on ‘Housing’ rights here in Grenada in 2002.

GHRO Inc has systematically worked with secondary schools with the Right Attitude (SRA) programme. This year, in association with the Caribbean Youth Empowerment Agency (CYEA), GHRO Inc is embarking on a SRA/Teen Harbour Inc project for students and young people at schools and within the various communities.  

The organisation has also conducted workshops, public lectures and community sessions on human rights issues with adults and young adults. A workshop was conducted for thirty-five (35) students from the Westerhall Secondary School, the St. David’s Catholic Secondary School and students from the NEWLO centre in Petite Bacaye on “Fighting the HIV/AIDS Stigma & Discrimination with a Human Rights attitude at the Canal, St. David’s.

The human rights body has provided human rights counseling to a number of Grenadians whose human rights were violated. The organization continues to call for closure to the Keron ‘Zootie’ Bethel and Ziggy court cases. GHRO Inc has also consistently called for improved conditions for inmates at Her Majesty’s Richmond Hill Prisons. Through its public education and advocacy programs, a number of media related programs were held – including a newspaper column, “GHRO Corner” in the Grenada Informer newspaper and “Know your Rights” on Spice Capital Radio.