Author Archives: ehrcsthl

The Equality and Human Rights Commission would like to invite you all to participate in a desk-top study of identifying and defining our island’s Cultural Heritage. We hope that by gaining access to existing information, we will be able to produce a Register of Cultural Heritage (tangible and intangible). This list will act as aContinue reading “EHRC’s Cultural Rights and Heritage Survey”

On St Helena’s Day on the 21st May 2021 a ceremony was held in remembrance of both the enslaved and “liberated” Africans on the island of St Helena. The ceremony took place at the old Pipe Store at the back of the island’s prison, were the human remains of the formerly enslaved had been housedContinue reading “CEO Speech at St Helena’s Day: Memorial Ceremony for the Formerly Enslaved”

The Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions is a member-led network of human rights institutions, ombudsmen, and public defenders who protect, promote and advance human rights in their respective countries. Through shared expertise and collaboration they are working to ensure a Commonwealth in which the rights of all our 2.4 billion citizens are respected,Continue reading “St Helena Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) becomes the first British Overseas Territories (BOT) to become a member of the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (CFNHRI)”

A Study into Racism/Xenophobia on St Helena one by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. 3 more weeks to have your say! Have you ever felt you have been treated unfairly because you are a Saint or because you are not a Saint? Do you think there is unfairness/racism or xenophobia on the island? TheContinue reading “St Helena – Altogether Fairer?”

PWSD Yard, the Castle, Jamestown, St Helena Tel: 22133 Email: catherine@humanrightssthelena.org 9th March 2021 Dear Councillor From the beginning the Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has welcomed the review of the governance of St Helena and has understood the drivers for change. In particular, the EHRC is keen to see a more open, transparentContinue reading “Open Letter Regarding Political Governance Review”

In the last 5 years the Equality and Human Rights Commission has received complaints from individuals of unfair treatment and racism from both Saints and non-Saints. However, in recent weeks the word Xenophobia has been used to describe some press articles and broadcasts and some social media posts. The EHRC therefore proposes to research theContinue reading “St Helena – Altogether Fairer?”

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has reviewed this legislation and have submitted their views as part of the consultation process. The Equality and Human Rights Commission welcomes and supports the stated aims of: Increased economic growth  Filling job vacancies in jobs where there is a local skill shortage and in particular nurses, doctors, teachersContinue reading “EHRC Review and Recommendations of the New Immigration Policy”

Peggy King Jorde is a Cultural Projects Consultant combining more than 30 years of experience in architecture and historic preservation projects in New York City and beyond. In 1990, King Jorde was thrust into the limelight as a pivotal figure in the fight to protect a 17th century African Burial Ground for enslaved and freeContinue reading “BLACK HISTORY MATTERS”

Democracy is a Greek word which means “rule of the people”. It is a system of government in which the people exercise their power directly or (as it is in St Helena) they elect representatives from among themselves to form a governing body, such as a parliament or in our case a Council.  Democracy isContinue reading “DEMOCRACY on St Helena”

Cultural rights and cultural heritage is significant in the present, both as a message from the past and as a pathway to the future. Viewed from a human rights perspective, it is important not only in itself, but also in relation to its human dimension, in particular its significance for individuals and communities and theirContinue reading “Cultural Rights and Cultural Heritage”