Africa-Press – Mauritius. A three-day Human Rights and Youth Engagement workshop aimed at educating youth trainers on building confidence and capacity as regards human rights protection and promotion opened, this morning, at the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel.
The Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo; the Human Rights Adviser and Head of the Human Rights Unit, Governance and Peace Directorate of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Dr Shavana Haythornthwaite; and the Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry, Ms Asha Burrenchobay, were present.
The event is a joint collaboration of the Human Rights Division under the aegis of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The objectives of the workshop are to familiarise participants with international human rights standards and mechanisms relevant for youth, and to provide a platform where they can discuss national, regional, and international protection mechanisms.
In his address, Minister Ganoo dwelt on the importance of human rights investment in development, peace and governance and the wellbeing of a nation. Government, he pointed out, has at heart the principles of equality and non-discrimination and is determined to provide a human rights-based approach to the socio-economic and cultural development of the country.
He indicated that Mauritius has acceded to almost all international and regional core Conventions including the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination; civil and political rights; rights of children; and rights of persons with disabilities.
Minister Ganoo underlined that in Mauritius, most of the fundamental rights and freedoms of an individual are guaranteed under the Constitution recalling that the Constitution makes provision for an aggrieved person whose rights have been contravened or are likely to be contravened to seek redress to the Supreme Court.
He further enumerated the various legislations which safeguard the fundamental rights of an individual. Young people, he stated, need to engage in different dimensions of climate change goals, influence politics, policies and institutional structures.
Educating the youth on human rights constitutes an essential contribution to the long-term prevention of human rights abuses and represents an important investment to achieve a just society where all human rights are valued and respected, he said.
Dr Shavana Haythornthwaite, for her part, said that the Commonwealth Secretariat is fully committed to strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights.
She highlighted that the training for Youth Trainers is built around the understanding that human rights principles and values are powerful tools to enhance participation, reinforce accountability, and create spaces for peaceful dialogue among the youth and the society at large.
She expressed confidence that human rights education empowers the young generation to fulfil their important role, thus shaping the next generation of leaders.
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