Human Rights
MESSAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
Jamaica has a proud record in the field of human rights. We recall that International Human Rights Day was established as a result of a Resolution moved before the United Nations General Assembly in 1968 by Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, Hugh Shearer.
The sterling contribution made by Prime Minister Michael Manley whose administration of the 1970s facilitated the development of signal rights based legislation, which placed Jamaica ahead of a vast number of countries, is a matter of record and we recall that he was himself twice recognized by the United Nations for his contribution to the work of that world body.
Coincidentally, International Human Rights Day is December 10, the birthday of the former Prime Minister.
In the area of women’s rights, there are no legal impediments placed in the path of women to development; there is equal pay for women; there is a law relating to maternity leave with pay; even now a Parliamentary Committee is deliberating on a Bill concerning the property rights of spouses, a piece of legislation which will, among other things, remove centuries old stumbling blocks in the way of countless unmarried women to assert their rights to property that they have helped to acquire in a family setting.
And even as we speak, many countries of the world are grappling with the status of their women nationals who are married to foreigners. This matter is now before the United Nations Human Rights Commission and we in Jamaica have long passed that day; the views of women’s groups are sought by government in the development of several important policy issues. [more]
Jamaica has a proud record in the field of human rights. We recall that International Human Rights Day was established as a result of a Resolution moved before the United Nations General Assembly in 1968 by Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, Hugh Shearer.
The sterling contribution made by Prime Minister Michael Manley whose administration of the 1970s facilitated the development of signal rights based legislation, which placed Jamaica ahead of a vast number of countries, is a matter of record and we recall that he was himself twice recognized by the United Nations for his contribution to the work of that world body.
Coincidentally, International Human Rights Day is December 10, the birthday of the former Prime Minister.
In the area of women’s rights, there are no legal impediments placed in the path of women to development; there is equal pay for women; there is a law relating to maternity leave with pay; even now a Parliamentary Committee is deliberating on a Bill concerning the property rights of spouses, a piece of legislation which will, among other things, remove centuries old stumbling blocks in the way of countless unmarried women to assert their rights to property that they have helped to acquire in a family setting.
And even as we speak, many countries of the world are grappling with the status of their women nationals who are married to foreigners. This matter is now before the United Nations Human Rights Commission and we in Jamaica have long passed that day; the views of women’s groups are sought by government in the development of several important policy issues. [more]
