Dear Editor,

Please allow me, through the good offices of Kiskadee Watch, to congratulate Judge Navi Pillay, former international judge and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – and my friend – on her richly deserved award of the Nobel Peace Prize.

The current Secretary-General of Amnesty International, the current UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and human rights defenders worldwide have reacted with emotion – an emotion I share – at this award. In a way, they consider that, through Judge Pillay, the award honours the entire human rights movement.

Defending human rights against arbitrary power is a courageous, lonely, and dangerous business. I have seen this ever since I was recruited into the UN human rights office in 1973 – half a century ago. I have seen the anguish and the tears of the victims coming to the United Nations – including from Guyana.

Amnesty International at one stage received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work to promote and protect human rights. The United Nations, its Secretary-General,  the Office of UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the International Labour Organization have on different occasions previously received the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts in their respective domains.

Judge Pillay’s award  honours all those struggling for the universal protection of human rights, for  justice, and for the rule of law. It honours the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. That is a cause for deep respect.

As I write this, please let me acknowledge, and salute, the efforts of the human rights movement in Guyana. Over the past half century, the human rights movement in Guyana has stood up courageously to oppression, arbitrariness, and victimization under different governments. Adherents of the Guyanese human rights movement continue to strive for justice under the rule of law to this day. The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to a respected international human rights leader, a female judge and former High Commissioner hailing from South Africa, will warm their hearts.

During the period that I performed the functions of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, I visited the prison cell of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island twice. I had occasion to interact with the great Madiba shortly after he came out of prison. It is with particular satisfaction that I salute a distinguished daughter of South Africa on this richly-deserved award of the Nobel Peace Prize to her.

The struggle for human rights continues.

Yours faithfully,

Bertrand Ramcharan