Press Release

UN invites Jamaican Youth to Stand Up for Human Rights

10 December 2019

Approximately 150 Jamaican young people from youth groups and schools across the country will have the opportunity to present their concerns on several human rights issues during UN Jamaica’s Human Rights Day 2019 celebrations being held on Tuesday December 10 at the Jamaica Conference Centre at 8:30 a.m.

The event, being celebrated under the theme “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights,” will feature youth consultations called “Human Rights Classrooms” in which young people will discuss and develop advocacy points around four key issues: Quality Education and Opportunities, Climate Change, Violence against Children and Mental Health. The classrooms will be facilitated by young advocates within the four areas. Following the classroom discussions, youth reporters will have the opportunity to present their concerns, ideas and solutions to their peers, government officials, the United Nations, other development partners, as well as members of the diplomatic corps. Youth Advocate and attorney Christopher Harper, will deliver a special youth message to the session.

“If we are to achieve sustainable development, we must include young people by providing them platforms to speak as well as opportunities to meaningfully participate in finding innovative solutions to the various human rights challenges we face,” says George Abualzulof, Senior Human Rights Advisor from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

“Youth have a wealth of ideas, they are innovative and able to create the positive change needed in society. They have the solutions, and the UN in Jamaica is committed to ensuring that they are not only heard, but that we give wings to their thoughts and ideas. Human Rights Day, this year, provides just one forum for this and we charge all duty bearers to facilitate even more ambitious opportunities to empower youth and to amplify their voices,” says Mariko Kagoshima, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim.

The Honorable Delroy Chuck MP, Minister of Justice, will present on behalf of the Government of Jamaica. Remarks will also come from the Office of the Public Defender and the Delegation of the European Union.

Human Rights Day is celebrated annually on December 10, in acknowledgement of the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly. It celebrates its 71st anniversary this year.

This Human Rights Youth Consultation is being staged in partnership with Jamaicans for Justice and The Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network with the kind support of the European Union Delegation in Jamaica.