…Guyana signs onto US Southern Command Human Rights Initiative
Capacity-building of military personnel must account for transnational coordination, should countries seek to efficiently target criminal activities in a changing world of cross-border linkages.
GDF ranks at the closing ceremony of Tradewinds 2023 (GDF photo)
Prime Minister Mark Phillips on Thursday took this position at the closing ceremony of the Exercise Tradewinds 2023, when he outlined that terrorism, cyber threats, and organized criminal activities have transcended borders, and countries must plan and put in place adequate defense strategies.
“In today’s world, particularly with the advent of technology, many threats no longer recognize borders; which therefore begs the need for collaborative efforts between nations to address security challenges that transcend boundaries…Our interconnectedness, particularly within the Caricom region, therefore means that the safety of our people is intricately linked, so addressing these matters as a collective becomes paramount,” he said
In 2022, Caricom identified four areas as common areas of interest, namely: firearms trafficking, cybersecurity, trafficking in persons, and maritime security. This brought forward commitments to strengthen relationships at the level of the regional bloc.
The Prime Minister also zeroed in on the importance of disaster relief efforts, with exacerbated effects of global warming and climate change challenging the stability of countries.
Exercise Tradewinds 2023 successfully wrapped up in Guyana with over 1,500 ranks benefitting from areas of training. This year, heightened focus was placed on human rights’ awareness.
Sponsored by the US Southern Command and hosted by the Guyana Defence Force, Tradewinds is a complex, multi-faceted military exercise spanning two weeks. It brings Caribbean security forces together to improve critical skillsets, and fosters increased cooperation through the participation of intergovernmental organizations: Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Regional Security System (RSS), the Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management (CDEMA).
This year’s Tradewinds exercise brought together participants from 21 nations to train in multiple domains. Service members honed their jungle warfare skills, learned to conduct maritime interdiction, improved their marksmanship, and practised crowd control techniques.
The closing ceremony was attended by Bermuda Governor Rena Lalgie and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, as well as senior ranks of the Joint Services and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, has said the remarkable display of cooperation and resilience was noteworthy. There was an extraordinary demonstration of teamwork, professionalism and camaraderie, all in efforts at building a safer and more secure region. He highlighted that with rising challenges of climate change and other threats, there is need for transnational cooperation, and Exercise Tradewinds has solidified the goal of working together.
“This region, the Western Hemisphere, has abundant resources, including oil, precious metals, pristine rainforests, and freshwater. This makes us a focal point in global strategy, as well as an ideal destination for the knowns and unknowns. Moreso, the advent of climate change continues to be a serious threat to these very resources. The road ahead will therefore require us to continue working together,” Brigadier Khan disclosed.
And Commander of the US Southern Command, Army General Laura Richardson, shared that this year’s exercise was the most complex in the 38-year history of Tradewinds.
“Transnational criminal organizations, maligned state actors, cybercrime, environmental climate change, and irregular migration continue to grow in scope and intensity, posing a significant challenge to the national security for all of us in the Western Hemisphere…Multinational partnerships formed and strengthened through all the main exercises, such as Tradewinds, enhance our ability to confront global security threats and deter maligned actors. The magnitude of these cross-cutting challenges is a call to action, and it requires each of us to work together to confront these threats,” General Laura Richardson has said.
Human Rights
United States Ambassador Sarah-Ann lynch noted that women, peace, and security training introduced this year highlights the importance of gender considerations in military and Police operations.
She also lauded the Guyana Defence Force on its signing of the US Southern Command Human Rights Initiative (HRI) on Thursday.
The HRI was established in 1997 to bring together military, public security, Government and civil society representatives from across the hemisphere with the aim of developing comprehensive and effective human rights programmes for defense and security forces. It focuses on four crucial areas: doctrine, education and training, internal control systems, and cooperation with civilian authorities.
“I commend your commitment to human rights, and I hope signing on to the Human Rights Initiative will continue to promote security cooperation in this very important area. As Guyana continues to undergo an amazing economic transformation, Tradewinds 2023 highlights yet again the importance of security and stability in long-term development,” Ambassador Lynch voiced.
Prime Minister Phillips added in this regard, “Our security forces must work hand-in-hand with civil society, human rights organizations, and independent oversight bodies to ensure that allegations of human rights’ violations are thoroughly investigated and addressed. You must uphold human rights principles.”
Barbados will serve as the host country for the next Tradewinds Exercise. (G12)
