In a landmark development for human rights protection, all member nations of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have formally become signatories to the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT). This comprehensive regional alignment was finalized following Saint Lucia’s recent accession to the international treaty, creating a unified front against torture practices across the Eastern Caribbean.
His Excellency Ambassador Colin Murdoch, the OECS Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, characterized this achievement as demonstrating the power of coordinated regional diplomacy on the global stage. “The OECS is pleased to note the recent accession by Saint Lucia to UNCAT, meaning all OECS member states are now party to the Convention,” Murdoch stated, emphasizing the significance of this collective action.
The ambassador highlighted that this milestone reflects the shared commitment of OECS governments to universal human rights principles and exemplifies their collaborative approach under Article 15 of the Revised Treaty of Basseterre, which specifically addresses foreign policy coordination among member states.
International partners, particularly the Convention Against Torture Initiative (CTI), have played a crucial role in supporting this achievement through technical assistance, advisory services, and capacity-building programs. Regional officials expressed appreciation for this ongoing collaboration and indicated their readiness to advance implementation efforts under the Convention’s provisions across all member jurisdictions.