Commonwealth Workshop Guides Dominica Toward Fulfilling Human Rights Commitments

A Commonwealth human rights team is assisting the government of Dominica in meeting its international obligations, reducing the backlog of outstanding human rights treaty bodies reports, and preparing for the upcoming Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Photo by aboodi vesakaran: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-flag-of-dominica-13899123/

The Commonwealth Secretariat conducted a three-day workshop from March 26 to 28, 2024, for members of Dominica’s National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMIRF), which includes representatives from various ministries and departments.

The NMIRF is responsible for establishing systems to report to and engage with international and regional human rights mechanisms, including United Nations (UN) Treaty Bodies, the UPR, and Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council.

The workshop aimed to strengthen the NMIRF’s capacity in engagement, coordination, consultation, and information management, address the backlog of reports to treaty bodies, and prepare the NMIRF for Dominica’s fourth UPR cycle in November 2024.

Kamila Bell, Foreign Service Officer at Dominica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy, who attended the workshop, commented: “The three days of the Commonwealth Secretariat workshop were both informative and instructive. We have acquired a lot of information regarding the human rights system, treaty body reports, human rights mechanisms, and reporting procedures.

“It is exceptionally useful to us in fulfilling our reporting obligations to the treaty bodies, as well as in our full preparations for the UPR cycle.”

Another participant, Ross Loramol, Acting Director of Political Affairs at Dominica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy, said:

“Primarily, given that Small Island Developing States like ours often lack technical resources and guidance, the workshop was necessary and very timely considering we have issues with past reports and report submissions.”

In April 2019, the Commonwealth Secretariat organized the first stakeholder meeting to establish an NMIRF in Dominica. The country established its NMIRF through a cabinet decision in 2019.

This effort is part of a broader initiative in Dominica to strengthen its institutional frameworks and improve compliance with international human rights standards. The country has been working to recover from the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017, which severely impacted its infrastructure and slowed progress on various fronts, including human rights reporting. The support from the Commonwealth is seen as a crucial step in rebuilding and enhancing Dominica's capacity to meet its international commitments effectively.

What do you think about Dominica's efforts to address the backlog of human rights reports? How important do you believe international assistance is for small island developing states in meeting their human rights obligations? How can other countries benefit from similar initiatives? What are some potential challenges Dominica might face in maintaining these improvements long-term?

References:

- Commonwealth workshop puts Dominica on track to fulfil human rights commitments. (s. f.). Commonwealth. https://thecommonwealth.org/news/commonwealth-workshop-puts-dominica-track-fulfil-human-rights-commitments

- Secretary-General’s remarks at opening session of Commonwealth Electoral Network Biennial Conference. (s. f.). Commonwealth. https://thecommonwealth.org/news/secretary-generals-remarks-opening-session-commonwealth-electoral-network-biennial-conference