Caribbean Regional Seminar on The Role of the Ombudsman in The Fostering of Good Governance and Democracy, Basseterre, St. Kitts 12-15 January 2004 - Communiqué

A Commonwealth Regional Policy Seminar on the 'Role of the Ombudsman in Fostering Good Governance and Democracy in the Caribbean Region' took place from 12-15 January in  

The Seminar was declared opened by the Deputy Prime Minister. Opening Remarks were made by the Governor-General of St Kitts and Nevis; Dr Victor Ayeni, Director of the Governance and Institutional Development Division; Dr Hayden Thomas, President of CAROA, and Mr. Clare Lewis, QC, President of the International Ombudsman Institute. The Key Note Address was delivered by Sir Probin Inniss, former Governor-General of St Kitts and Nevis. The Attorney General of St Kitts and Nevis, Mr. Delano Bart, performed the closing ceremony.

 Participants at the Policy Seminar included Ombudsmen from Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica, former ombudsmen from Barbados and St Lucia as well as representatives of Governments from St Kitts, Bermuda, and Montserrat. African participants from Ghana and Mozambique, and representatives of CARICOM, the OAS, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the OAS and the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights shared experiences and offered different perspectives.  

The main objective of the Policy Seminar was to encourage, offer support and share information and experiences with countries contemplating the establishment of Ombudsman offices and related oversight institutions. It reviewed the performance of the Ombudsman and its role in the governance architecture of the Caribbean region, and considered appropriate modalities for implementation of such institutions in small states. It provided an opportunity for promoting public knowledge and understanding of the Ombudsman concept in the Caribbean, and for a deeper appreciation of its integral role in good governance. Lastly, the Policy Seminar provided a platform for public servants, representatives of civil society and other key stakeholders in the region to share and to learn from international best practice in Ombudsmanship. 

At the end of their four-day deliberations, participants reiterated the need for continued support for promoting the concept of the Ombudsman in the region, and proposed strategies for mobilizing local, regional and international agencies in support of the establishment of such offices in the region. 

They noted the general lack of awareness of the concept of the Ombudsman and the lack of understanding of its role and benefits to Caribbean people and Governments. They urged strategic partners like civil society, the media and NGOs to become more involved in promoting the concept and the ideals.

 Participants called upon Governments of the region to support the promotion of the Ombudsman as an integral part of good governance and democracy, and urged them to establish offices in countries where such institutions are non-existent. They reiterated the need for the promotion of human rights in the region, and proposed that this issue be incorporated into the ombudsman's mandate where applicable.

Participants acknowledged the critical role that the Commonwealth Secretariat has played in promoting the concept of the Ombudsman in the Caribbean region and in fostering related institutions. They called for continued support from the Commonwealth Secretariat and urged other regional and international organizations to emulate that role. In particular, participants enjoined regional and international organizations to actively support Caribbean member states wishing to establish offices of the Ombudsman through training, exchange of information, facilitating consultation, strengthening of networks, and provision of technical assistance; and in promotion of activities geared to sharing of best practice. 

In conclusion, the organizers and participants of the seminar conveyed their profound gratitude to the Government and people of St Kitts and Nevis for hosting this seminar. They acknowledged the warm hospitality extended to them, which contributed to the outstanding success of the seminar.

 Basseterre, St Kitts

15 January, 2004