OCHO RIOS, St Ann – Ombudsmen from the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa want a public education programme that will sensitise the public on the role and authority of their office and its impact on national development.

An educational campaign was a necessity, the ombudsmen said. They had to pursue the programme, they maintained, because of the significance of their office and its valuable role as a alternative to the court system.

The ombudsmen also argued that some responses to the threat of global terrorism had increased the risk of human rights violations in the interest of national security and it was therefore imperative that their group ensured that a balance is strenuously preserved.

Over 20 ombudsmen and other representatives from 13 countries spent last week in deep discussion and listening to presentations by various speakers on matters pertaining to their role as ombudsmen.

Held under the theme “The Ombudsman – A Champion for Social Justice and Human Rights”, several topics were either discussed/examined or delivered by guest speakers. Among the items on the agenda were seminars such as:

. the ombudsman and social justice – issues and lessons learnt,

. security and human rights – an international perspective, and

. balancing security and human rights – the role of the ombudsman.

The first session held after last Monday’s official opening was “The public relations role of the ombudsman”, a workshop sponsored by the Commonwealth Secretariat and at which a public relations expert was the chief facilitator.

And in the release issued at the end of the conference, the ombudsmen listed several other critical areas that they believe are in need of attention, not only from them but from regional governments as well.

“It should be the obligation of Parliament to establish standing committees whose responsibility will be to ensure that the annual reports (as they relate to human rights issues) are debated,” the communiqué stated.

It added: “The ombudsmen should make every effort to ensure that their respective states ratify all international conventions for the protection of women’s rights – in particular the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women.”

Ombudsmen were challenged to examine existing legislation in their respective countries to identify and seek to amend any instance of gender bias.

The regional ombudsman organisation also encouraged all remaining Caribbean states to take the necessary steps towards establishing an Institution of the Ombudsman in their respective states. There was also a recommendation that other member states follow Jamaica’s example and establish an Office of the Political Ombudsman/Defender.

At last Friday’s closing ceremony, several participants hailed the conference as a success, alluding to the exchange of ideas between representatives of member states and the invaluable presentations by speakers.

Among the list of speakers was Justice Minister A J Nicholson; former secretary-general for the Canadian Human Rights Commission John Hucker; UWI lecturers and professors Stephen Vasciannie and Barry Chevannes; Political Ombudsman Bishop Hero Blair; State Minister for Foreign Affairs Delano Franklyn; UWI vice-chancellor Professor Rex Nettleford; Austin Peay University lecturer Dr Najmul Abedin; professors Victor Ayeni and professor Caprilles of the Commonwealth Secretariat and Justice Lloyd Ellis.