As some Caribbean nations grapple with crime and corruption, university scholars who are examining the role of the Commonwealth believe that if it strengthens efforts to unite against organised crime, cybersecurity threats, and violence, smaller countries like Jamaica could benefit greatly.

Nia Watson, who is reading for a bachelor of laws (LLB) at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, told the Jamaica Observer that in uniting against crime, the Commonwealth can assess the effectiveness of measures implemented in the different countries to curtail crime and violence.

“The most effective measures could be implemented within the Commonwealth. Regarding cybersecurity threats, the governments of the Commonwealth countries could collaborate to ensure their laws and regulations adequately address the cybercrimes that may be committed, as well as have forums to discuss ideas to successfully combat cybercrime. This would likely be helpful to smaller states as the wider collaboration will expose the states to ideas and infrastructure to combat the crime that were not available independently.”

Trishagaye Kelly, a journalism major at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) argued that the decision to unite against organised crime, cybersecurity threats, and violence was already made in the Commonwealth, but there is no visible implementation.

“I’d suggest sharing strategies that have proven successful in each area. The world is filled with megalomaniacs and there are selfish leaders everywhere, but if they are to unite, these leaders must put away the thought of being leaders solely for their native countries and, instead, take up the responsibility of leading others as well,” she told the Sunday Observer.

“Developed countries will think more of helping themselves and staying on top rather than helping smaller states because, naturally, one thinks about his own before others. But if one leader has the thought of his country being more powerful than the next, or the most powerful, even, he must disregard it in order for this to work. The main issue here is that, though the Commonwealth is regarded as a united body, there is not much unity among the states therein,” she continued.

Denroy Watson, international relations major at The UWI added, “The Commonwealth could find solutions to unlawful acts through discussing crime and violence, then creating solutions by sharing ideas and resources and later on implement them. These solutions can either be benchmarked or invented.”

The youngsters argued that even with human rights being more vocally championed across the Caribbean region in recent times, the Commonwealth could assist with helping to amplify these voices or concerns for more change in the near future.

Watson told the Sunday Observer that there are political challenges within the Commonwealth which affects the promotion of human rights.

“For example, in Jamaica, the death penalty is still legal, but in other Commonwealth countries, the death penalty is regarded as a deprivation of the fundamental right to life. This is a political challenge which may affect advocacy for the right to life within the Commonwealth,” she said.

Kelly said that any large organisation has the ability to amplify concerns and so she thinks there is a possibility, noting that it’s the action aspect of it that may present an issue.

“Commonwealth decisions are made by the leaders of large, developed countries. Each leader has a different personality and different national needs; thus, if human rights is an issue in the Caribbean but not so much in Australia, then Australia can say that this specific issue does not need to be tackled. Additionally, the beliefs of countries vary and thus, necessity to voice these concerns may cause a conflict.

“For example, women empowerment is not very popular in some countries because women are traditionally seen as inferior and should remain unseen. We continue to see that men make up most of the governmental bodies in countries like Jamaica. This issue does not affect all countries and, thus, the concerns may not be heard or rather heard but not acted upon.”

Kelly said more can be done at the national level to improve relations.

“The Government needs to be firm with its motives. For example, the death penalty. As a Christian I do not support this particular method of punishment, simply because no man has the right to determine who lives and who dies, since none of us can create life. But, as a citizen, it is wearying to watch the Jamaican Government being indecisive in the eyes of its people.”

Watson told the Sunday Observer that it is clear that the Commonwealth can do more to address the concerns of human rights across the Caribbean.

“It is my belief that everyone should be a part of the conversation as it relates to the Commonwealth objectives. I propose a national debate as this would indirectly inspire the citizens to challenge their own creative development towards democracy, human rights, good governance, eradication of poverty, and other commonwealth objectives,” he said.

“Liberals, like the Commonwealth nations, are not hindered by obstacles, such as lack of financial support, once the target is set. They will always strive to achieve sustainable development and technological growth for their citizens. This is clearly seen in the intentional bi-yearly meetup of the 53 members of state to discuss global issues and concepts surrounding a better tomorrow. Whether it be a personal, national or a global objective, the concept of working towards something greater than oneself has made the impossible become a reality.”