The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) yesterday signed on to the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Human Rights Framework that supports development of human rights programmes in the Caribbean and Latin America region.
“We have had a human rights initiative for 25 years at SOUTHCOM. We celebrated the 25th anniversary in December… if you think about it, it is just a commitment. It is non-binding. It means ‘We are going to double down and we are going to make sure that human rights is training; is understanding; it is going to be part of our curriculum with our military and security forces’. That is all it is. It just means we are going to double down and going to make sure we train our folks to understand human rights,” SOUTHCOM’s Commander, General Laura J. Richardson told Stabroek News yesterday during an exclusive interview.
Against the background that the SOUTHCOM and GDF relationship is focussed on many areas, including human rights, Richardson was asked about the types of human rights issues that were discussed here.
In response, she pointed out that during the 25th anniversary conference last year, where the entire hemisphere was invited and where among those present were Ministers of Defence, Chiefs of Defence, and Congresspersons from over 25 partner nations, the topic, framework, and principles, were underscored during the discussions.
“The framework talks about the things we are going to do together,” she said, while noting that the five principles which guide the consensus document were developed though input from global academia and worldwide human rights organisations and bodies such as the Organization of American States, the United Nations, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the International Committee of Red Cross and Human Rights Watch, among others.
Richardson explained that SOUTHCOM has “made it a priority” to promote respect for human rights, with her command being one of six geographic commands that is spearheading the initiative and is integral to its overall operations. SOUTHCOM, she stated, continues to foster the initiative.
The importance of military and security forces recognising the human rights of citizens is significant because, as the General reasoned, “Sometimes they get asked to help with internal challenges within the country. So it is really important for our military and security forces to understand their role with the population and human rights is very important. It protects people and your country.” As such, empowering military forces to respect human rights and know what constitutes human rights abuses and reporting them is a responsibility of all persons attached.
United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, announced the signing during her address yesterday at the closing ceremony of the Southern Command-sponsored annual exercise – Tradewinds 2023 – held on the grounds of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal.
“I would also like to congratulate the Guyana Defence Force on its signing of the US Southern Command Human Rights Initiative [HRI] earlier today,” she remarked.
“The HRI was established in 1997 to bring together military, public security, government, and civil society representatives from across the hemisphere with the aim of developing comprehensive and effective human rights programs for defence and security forces that focussed on four crucial areas: doctrine, education and training, internal control systems, and cooperation with civilian authorities. I commend your commitment to human rights, and I hope signing on to the Human Rights initiative will continue to promote security cooperation in this very important area,” the ambassador added.
A joint statement from both parties disclosed that Guyana is now the 13th nation to join the SOUTHCOM HRI.
It stated that through its Human Rights Office, SOUTHCOM has previously supported the efforts of 12 countries that have committed to implementing human rights programmes in their defence or public security institutions, including the Dominican Republic, which established the first Latin American military school dedicated to human rights education, as well as Colombia and Peru, which also established military schools dedicated to human rights education and training.
“During a bilateral meeting today between Brigadier Omar Khan, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff, and U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the two leaders signed the Human Rights Framework committing their organizations to human rights engagement, cooperation and integration,” the joint statement said.
“With the signing of the Framework, Guyana became the thirteenth nation to join SOUTHCOM’s Human Rights Initiative (HRI), which marked its 25th anniversary in December with a commemorative event hosted by the command and attended by more than 100 representatives from Western Hemisphere militaries, governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academia,” it added.
Delving into the history of the formation of the HRI, the statement outlined that it was rooted in SOUTHCOM’s efforts to promote a culture of respect for human rights in the early ‘90s. The HRI, it explained, was established in 1997 to “bring together military, public security, government, and civil society representatives from across the hemisphere with the aim of developing comprehensive and effective human rights programs for defense and security forces that focused on four crucial areas: doctrine, education and training, internal control systems, and cooperation with civilian authorities.”
Further, it added, “In 2002, with input from more than 30 democratic countries and human rights experts from academia, as well as international and non-government organizations (NGOs), the HRI contributed to the development of a Consensus Document on human rights that currently serves as a human rights model. Under the Human Rights Framework and through membership in the HRI, the GDF formalizes its intent to implement the Consensus Document with support from SOUTHCOM’s Human Rights Office.
The Guyana Defence Force meanwhile stated that human rights have always been a pillar of its operational and administrative mandate and is reflected in its values and standards.
“The opportunity to sign on to the regional initiative demonstrates the GDF’s commitment to the principles and promotion of human rights. The GDF continues to improve its awareness of and respect for human rights,” the Force’s statement underscored.
In 2008, under the Bharrat Jagdeo presidency and Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best, the GDF was rocked by allegations of officers torturing several soldiers during interrogation over a missing AK 47 assault rifle.
A board of inquiry was convened to investigate claims of torture meted out to soldiers: Michael Dunn, Sharth Robertson, and Alvin Wilson, who were implicated in the theft of the weapon.
The army came under severe pressure over the torture allegations and at a meeting with privates and corporals it played down the brutality claims. Three soldiers were to be disciplined.
On its website, SOUTHCOM informs that under its human rights education and policy, the Human Rights Office administers the command’s human rights policy. “SOUTHCOM established Regulation 1-20 in 1998, which requires all personnel assigned to SOUTHCOM or deployed to the Area of Responsibility to take human rights awareness education, understand their obligation to respect and protect human rights, and to report all suspected violations of fundamental human rights. SOUTHCOM personnel are also issued a pocket card (“Standing Orders Card”), which delineates SOUTHCOM’s Zero Tolerance policy for human rights violations,” it states.
It said that the Human Rights Initiative is a programme initiated by SOUTHCOM’s commander in 1997 and seeks to bring together representatives of military, security forces, civilian government, and civil society, to develop a model human rights program for military forces focussed in four areas: 1) doctrine, 2) education and training, 3) internal control systems, and 4) cooperation with civilian authorities. The Human Rights Office supports the efforts of 11 countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay) and one regional organization, the Conference of Central American Armed Forces (CFAC) that have made a formal commitment to implement HRI within their armed forces.
On Analysis and Policy Advising, its Human Rights Office provides direct support to the commander and senior leadership by advising on human rights developments in the Area of Responsibility that affect partner nation militaries and the nations of the region.
The office also “serves as the command’s liaison with representatives of the human rights community, including the interagency, international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The Human Rights Office holds regular meetings and identifies avenues for collaboration with the human rights community in the promotion of human rights within the military forces of SOUTHCOM’s Area of Responsibility.”
Regarding the combating of trafficking in persons, SOUTHCOM said that its Human Rights Office “is responsible for overseeing the implementation of and compliance with DoD and SOUTHCOM CTIP Policy, which requires Combating Trafficking in Persons training for all personnel, including contractors. The Human Rights Office focuses its Combating Trafficking in Persons efforts on developing Area of Responsibility specific guidance and education for SOUTHCOM personnel to better recognize indicators of trafficking in persons, and to comply with DoD and SOUTHCOM’s Zero Tolerance policy toward trafficking in persons.”
“The Human Rights Office provides support to command offices responsible for ensuring that command-sponsored training and exercises incorporate human rights principles, and are in compliance with SOUTHCOM Regulation 1-20,” it added while highlighting the need for integration.
