Island Rights Initiative

April 16, 2020 In Commonwealth, ESC Rights, Human Rights, Institutions

Combating Coronavirus in Small States: Leaving No One Behind – International Frameworks and the Threat to ESC Rights in SIDS

Guest Blog by Sarthak Roy The global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created an unprecedented situation across the world with states struggling to treat infected persons and contain the spread of the virus, which has no known cure as yet. On 2 April, the U.N. General Assembly...

April 15, 2020 In climate change, ESC Rights, governance, Human Rights, Island Observations, Uncategorized

Pandemic in the Pacific – the double-edged sword of isolation in a time of crisis

Of the 16 countries yet to report a coronavirus case (as of15 April 2020), 12 were small island states. Their relative isolation and the ability to effectively close borders at short notice may have helped to keep coronavirus pandemic which has left some of the...

June 28, 2019 In climate change, Environment, ESC Rights, Human Rights, Island Observations

Climate Displaced Migration and the Threat of Integration

Small island developing States (SIDS) bind together because of their similarities and the fact that climate change remains an existential threat to SIDS. They are also similar in that they are all at risk of forceful displacement of people though the process and context may...

November 30, 2018 In accountability, climate change, Environment, ESC Rights, Human Rights, Island Rights Initiative News

Not Waving But Drowning – Susie Alegre talk on Human Rights, Climate Change and Small Islands at SOAS 29 November 2018

Human rights and climate change are priority issues for many small islands. The IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels with a focus on the strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development...

June 15, 2018 In governance, Human Rights, Island Rights Initiative News, LGBTI Rights, UK CDOTs

Fundamental Principles of International Human Rights Law and Same-Sex Marriage in Bermuda

Last week the Supreme Court in Bermuda in R Ferguson v AG & OUTBermuda et al v AG[2018] SC (Bda) 46 Civ (6 June 2018) upheld the right to same-sex marriage in the Island despite legislative attempts to repeal it through the Domestic Partnerships Act...

April 13, 2018 In CHOGM, climate change, Commonwealth, ESC Rights, Human Rights, Island Rights Initiative News

A fairer future for all? CHOGM and human rights in small island states.

With the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London next week, comes an opportunity to support the important role the Commonwealth can play in the protection and promotion of human rights for the people of the numerous small island states that make up the Commonwealth...