TCI Human Rights Commission to focus on Children and Housing in 2023  

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, December 14, 2022 – As the world celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on December 10th TCI Human Rights Commission is highlighting the work they have done across the Turks and Caicos Islands and says in 2023 they will be taking a close look at living standards.

“As we look to the year ahead, the Commission will be making great advances in addressing the standard of living issues in the Turks and Caicos Islands, engaging high level immigration officials on existing immigration laws as well as developing new strategies for advancing child safeguarding.”

In this year alone there have been several incidents in the nations courts regarding child abuse and irregular migration is a mounting issue as well. Throughout the 2022 the commission revealed it has been addressing issues at the prison and with migration and violence.

In regard to areas like His Majesty’s Prison the commission said, “Through strengthening its monitoring arm, the Commission is pleased with the level of improvements seen at these facilities which were achieved by way of recommendations made through reporting and an overall presence.”

The improvements include enhanced living conditions for convicts and ‘a significant decrease’ in complaints of inhumane or degrading treatment.

In addition to making conditions better for the incarcerated, the commission says through partnership they have also been on site to monitor the detention of irregular migrants caught on boats trying to enter the Turks and Caicos.

“This firsthand information has afforded us the opportunity to ensure that the relevant agencies are present for the safe and efficient processing of detainees and that the process is conducted in a humane manner. In instances where children are found to be aboard a vessel, the Commission actively pursues the Department of Social Development to ensure that social workers are dispatched immediately to provide increased child safeguarding,”  a press release explained.

Domestic violence is also an issue the commission says it is keeping a close eye on reviewing legislation to make sure it will offer even more protection to victims

“Since the proclamation of the UDHR, nearly 75 years ago human rights have advanced worldwide. The Turks and Caicos Islands is no stranger to these advancements either, however, there is more that can be done,” it said.