Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Ingrid A. Moses hinted that there will be a coming time that the territory along with its Caribbean brothers and sisters will yield to pressure from the developed countries on human rights and equality issues. Photo: VINO

Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Ingrid A. Moses along with Premier Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith and acting Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Mr Joe Omorodion. Photo: VINO

Part of the audience in attendance. Photo: VINO

She was speaking on Monday July 27, 2015 at the opening of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s (CPA) 40th Conference of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean in the Virgin Islands at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay.

We must walk the walk

She said that it must soon be realised that members of the parliaments of the Caribbean region must do more than just talk, but that they must walk the walk.

“We as a region have seen our people calling for representation for all classes of citizens and with the recent passage of the United States Equality Act of 2015 and the United Nations continuous promotion of fundamental human rights for all citizens of member states, the citizens of the Caribbean too are voicing strongly their opinions about equal rights, fundamental human rights and women too are advocating for stronger voices and representation in parliaments across the region,” she said.

Moses said that while some governments sit from afar and speak of the implementation of equal rights in the respective countries, pressure from organised groups is causing ‘Third World’ governments to revisit their position on these universal important topics.

And while she did not say it, it is clear that one such issue regarded as a human rights issue has to do with gays and lesbians and their rights, including the right to be married and the right to be free of discrimination in the workplace and the right to access medical and other services.

Countries indebted to the CPA

“I believe that you are here because you want to [learn more] about democracy and good governance which no doubt can assist as you lead your respective countries as parliamentarians with vision and integrity and the hope for betterment for your country and its future,” she said.

She noted that all of the countries represented should be indebted to the CPA for its invaluable continued contributions towards promoting democracy and good governance.

“It has always provided a forum whereby parliamentarians can learn how to function in their new role more effectively,” she said.