Youth Human Rights Project

Youth of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis have challenges to their human rights first and foremost because they are unaware of these rights as individuals. But this is expected to change following the launch of the Youth For Human Rights Awareness Project which took place on Friday November 20, 2014.

Several deterrents to enjoying human rights have existed including biases based on political persuasion; educational background; disabilities; socio-economic background; health status; sexual orientation.

In many cases the effect of such discrimination has been unemployment, less desirable jobs and the inability to secure scholarships to better educate themselves. It is not wonder that this is often associated with low self esteem which can of course lead to any number of ills.

It is imperative that the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis make Human rights come alive for youths and as such have launched the awareness project. “his project is a way to bring about awareness of the thirty fundamental human rights. These rights will be discussed in detail. Too often youths of the Federation suffer emotionally, psychologically, and physically because they are unaware of their rights. This abuse can stop if the youths of the Federation are educated on their rights as human beings.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has already agreed to the thirty rights so is at the implementation stage through programmes such as this.

The target audience or population is youths ages twelve (12) to twenty-five (25) years and the youths that are incarcerated in Her Majesty’s Prison. The message will be gender mainstreaming.

Objectives

1.   Conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights through workshops, seminars and lectures
2.   Demand justice for those whose rights have been violated by advocating for them .
3.   Begin the Implementation of Human Rights Education in all institutions
4.   Create a Youth Human Rights Website to accommodate youth concerns.
5. Establish a Federal Youth Human Rights Club
6. Stimulate discussion and higher-level thinking among youth.