Mary Francis
Human Rights activist, Mary Francis, is encouraging citizens to advocate for the establishment of a Human Rights Commission in Saint Lucia.
Francis said as the country prepares for another election, all parties vying for office, who want to work for the people, must also consider establishing a Human Rights Commission, something she believes is desperately needed.
“I’ve spent the past 10 years of my life advocating for improvements in the justice system. It’s all about protection of human rights. If you don’t have a proper justice system, how can you have proper protection of human rights?” the attorney questioned.
While emphasizing the fact that the police is the main law enforcement agency, Francis said they too have had some of the biggest alleged perpetrators of violation of human rights.
On the other hand, the government, she said, will not provide legal aid for persons who are victims of state violation of human rights. “It’s a fact, and it is wrong. We must address it,” she asserted.
Francis told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that it takes too long for victims of state violations to go to court and get the justice they deserve. She said there have been instances where persons wait for years.
The attorney stated that there is also a lot of young men who can’t walk because they were either maimed or shot by police, under questionable circumstances.
She said, “It is time that the powers that be focus on the plight of the people, because we have a constitution which guarantees fundamental human rights and freedom and because of that they must be done in terms of making those rights and freedoms a reality.”
Francis said the independent body will help to address the increasing number of human rights violation.
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