Last week, 28 senior government officials from Jamaica’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Rights (IMCHR) engaged in an intensive three-day workshop in Kingston, held from 19 to 21 November 2024.
The session focused on enhancing Jamaica’s capacity to fulfil its human rights reporting obligations under seven of the nine core international human rights treaties ratified by the country.
Organised in collaboration with the Jamaica Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Jamaica Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, and the Commonwealth Secretariat Human Rights Unit, the workshop aimed to bolster Jamaica’s commitment to international human rights standards.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Rights (IMCHR) functions as Jamaica’s central coordinating body for gathering data and preparing national reports for the UN Universal Periodic Review mechanism and treaty bodies.
The workshop brought together key government officials from 11 line ministries, all members of the IMCHR, who are tasked with ensuring Jamaica meets its human rights obligations.
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During the workshop, participants developed a comprehensive understanding of the UN human rights system and the process of drafting state party reports for submission to UN treaty bodies.
They also received technical guidance on the State’s draft reports concerning economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as the rights of migrant workers. Additionally, the workshop featured an interactive session with 20 representatives from civil society organisations, designed to enhance collaboration and coordination between civil society and the IMCHR.
Participant reflections and key takeaways
Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the participants, Rachel Lee, Human Rights Officer at the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, said:
“The rich discussions, thought-provoking questions, and diverse perspectives have not only enhanced our learning but also reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in advancing human rights… we have garnered a deeper understanding of our roles and functions as a Nation in Treaty Body reporting, and also the functions of the Inter-Ministerial Committee.”
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Participants highlighted the significant impact the training would have on improving their work going forward. Tajie Drummond, International Affairs Officer at the Ministry of Education, Skills, and Youth, expressed enthusiasm about applying the knowledge gained during the workshop, noting that it would "change her view on how to write policies and engage with these policies from a human rights perspective."
Similarly, Shanique Graham, Senior Policy Analyst for Criminal Law at the Ministry of Justice, shared that the workshop had encouraged her to "be more mindful of human rights when we’re doing certain policies, and making sure there is a more balanced approach in how we treat diverse groups within the society."
