Senior Investigative Officer Samadia Lightbourne Attended Crucial Assembly and Seminar on Human Rights and Inequity in Latin America and the Caribbean Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil – 4-6 December 2024

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE COMPLAINTS COMMISSION

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 17 December 2024: Ms. Samadia Lightbourne, Senior Investigative Officer for the Office of the Complaints Commission in the Turks and Caicos Islands, participated in the annual Assembly and Seminar of the International Ombudsman League (IOL), held from December 4-6, 2024. The event, located at the confluence of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, was graciously supported by Itaipú Binacional.

The assembly brought together ombudsman offices and public ombudsman institutions across Latin America and the Caribbean to address significant regional challenges. The event focused on critical issues such as structural inequities, technological advancements, climate change, migration, human rights, gender equality, public services, education, health, and disability.

Officer Lightbourne’s presence at the seminar underscores the Turks and Caicos Islands’ dedication to fostering regional dialogue and enhancing cooperation to uphold human rights and democracy. The event united diverse institutional models with a shared mission to innovate and effectively respond to evolving conflicts and challenges within the framework of the rule of law and representative democracy.

Additionally, Officer Lightbourne reiterated the overall seminar sentiments, emphasising the importance of preserving the autonomy and operational capacity of human rights institutions. “In an era of rampant misinformation, ideological labeling, and hate speech, our institutions must remain resilient and steadfast in protecting the rights of our citizens.”

The seminar, hosted by Amelia Lopez, President of the Instituto Latinoamericano del Ombudsman/Defensorías del Pueblo (ILO) in Argentina, at the facilities of Itaipú Binacional, symbolises successful regional cooperation and serves as a platform for dialogue, cooperation mechanisms, and critical discussions. The program included:

1. Presentations and objectives

• The region is addressing structural inequities and emerging challenges.
• Promoting responses to complex issues such as poverty, new technologies, and climate change.
• Strengthening human rights-defending institutions to anticipate and manage future challenges.

2. Methodology

• The dialogue between different institutional models of Ombudsman Offices and Public Defenders is ongoing.
• Opening session and main conference.
• Thematic panels with presentations and active audience participation

3. Thematic Areas

Increase in Conflict, New Challenges, and Alternative Responses

1. Diverse institutions with common goals.
2. Addressing conflicts and violated rights.
3. Anticipating new conflicts and challenges.

4. Human Rights Defending Institutions Under Threat
   1. Budgetary constraints and leadership appointment challenges.
   2. Ensuring autonomy and independence from political power.
   3. Discussing mechanisms for appointing heads and deputies.
5. International Cooperation
   1. The role of international organisations in supporting human rights institutions.
   2. the value of cooperation and dialogue among organisations like IOI, FIO, ILO, CAROA, and AOMA.

The IOL Assembly and Seminar will continue to feature conferences, discussion panels, and dialogues aimed at equipping human rights defenders with the skills and tools needed to address current and future challenges.