Arid supports regional councils but insists on elected not appointed members

Arid supports regional councils but insists on elected not appointed members

07-November-2017
The Association for Rights Information & Democracy (Arid) has given its support to the decision to have regional councils instead of district councils, but has expressed reservations with regard to the appointment of council members.
“We support the decision to have regional councils instead of district councils and we believe that this will give citizens the opportunity to partake in the development of their districts at regional level. However we are totally against the proposal made, whereby the main political parties will appoint members of the regional councils,” says Arid spokesperson Jules Hoareau.
Mr Hoareau says Arid is of the firm opinion that the regional councils should be non political and non partisan.
“The citizens should be given the right and freedom to elect their representatives to sit on the regional councils. We have many engaged citizens, civic and religious leaders, professionals and even youths who are not interested in politics but are willing to work for the betterment of their districts hence they should be given the opportunities to stand and be elected on the regional councils,” says Mr Hoareau.
“This will give the councils more credibility, legitimacy and integrity rather than having members being appointed by politicians,” he adds.
Mr Hoareau says having elected members on the council is also in line with the values of transparency, democracy and good governance.
“I’m therefore calling on the President and the leaders of the National Assembly to reconsider their position and to organise local elections for the regional councils,” says Mr Hoareau.
“This is an opportunity to allow citizens to serve their fellow brothers and sisters as councillors and not as politicians and Arid is calling on citizens to join us in advocating for elected councillors and not appointed members to sit on the regional councils,” says Mr Hoareau.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=256417

Arid’s message on International Human Rights Day ‘Let us stand for our human rights’

11-December-2017
“On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, let us remember our brothers and sisters who have gone missing over the years; let us pray for all victims of human rights violations and for those whose lives have been taken away at the pleasure of some other human beings. Let us stand for our human rights.”
This comes in a message from the Association for Rights Information and Democracy (Arid) on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day celebrated yesterday, December 10.
The full text of the message reads:
“December 10 is the International Human Rights Day, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly. Human Rights Day is a time to reaffirm that as human beings we are all born free and equal in rights and dignity and that no individual, corporation, group or governmental can take away our basic human rights. The UN charter on Human Rights is a document that proclaimed the unchallengeable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
“In Seychelles we have come a long way in upholding the human rights of our citizens, during the epoch of the one party state in Seychelles, many nationals who did not agree to the way Seychelles was being ruled after the coup d’état had to go in exile or some were even arrested and detained without trial and sadly even cases of assassination and missing persons were recorded. Today in a new Seychelles where our democracy is evolving we place great emphasis on the protection of human rights.
“Our association, Arid, is mandated to sensitise citizens on their rights and obligations and most importantly to protect and uphold human rights.
On this important celebration I would like to remind all political, civic and religious leaders on their role in the protection of human rights in our country. A few weeks ago Arid human rights observers visited some living quarters where construction migrant workers are staying and we have observed that some of these living quarters are below the minimal standards. We have also observed that migrant workers are being transported in open trucks to and from the construction sites which is against the health and safety requirements. We have written to the Minister for Health, Minister for Employment and other agencies but no response and no action from them until now. We need to respect the rights of everyone including migrant workers. Another sad chapter is the disappearance of two of our fellow brothers this year. Seychelles has ratified the UN convention on missing persons and it is the obligation on the state to ensure that every citizen is protected. On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, we remember our brothers and sisters who have gone missing over the years, we pray for all victims of human rights violations and for those whose lives have been taken away at the pleasure of some other human beings. Let us stand for our human rights.”

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=256895