Just Caribbean Updates

Russia has deployed aircraft and combat navy vessels to the Caribbean, where they will carry out military exercises in coming weeks. Four Russian warships, including the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan and the frigate Admiral Gorshkov, entered Havana Bay yesterday. The drills are similar to those that have been carried out regularly in the past, but it is the first time they are being held since 2019, and in a vastly changed geopolitical context. (Guardian)

U.S. officials believe the move is a messaging tactic in response to use of U.S. weapons by Ukraine against Russia, reports the Miami Herald. Some Russian media described the visit as retaliation for U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to strike inside Russia with U.S. weapons. (Washington Post)

U.S. officials said the U.S. Navy has deployed warships and aircraft to track a Russian naval flotilla after the Russian vessels sailed less than 30 miles off South Florida’s coast on Tuesday, reports the Miami Herald.

“The Caribbean culture is not one to say, ‘Russian warship, go f— yourself,’ as a Ukrainian border guard famously did on the first day of the Russian invasion. But that doesn’t mean Russian ships will be eagerly welcomed anywhere besides Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua for the time being, or that any aggressive actions or sabotage will go unnoticed”, writes analyst James Bosworth in World Politics Review.

The ships are expected in Venezuelan waters as the country heads to extremely important presidential elections, this could potentially embolden Venezuela on the Essequibo issue, though “any Venezuelan invasion of Guyana remains highly unlikely,” notes Bosworth.

The vessels do not threaten Guyana’s security, though the presence of Russian ships could spark concerns about the relationship between Russia and Venezuela, said Guyanese Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo last week. (St Vincent Times)

Climate and Environmental Justice

• The Bridgetown Initiative 3.0, released at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States, aims to mobilize additional finance for climate and development needs. Key innovations include addressing biases in credit rating agencies, advocating for carbon pricing, a new $500 billion SDR issuance, and a global compact for philanthropic financing. (World Policy Forum)
  
  
• Climate change is accelerating the loss of Indigenous languages, which contain critical ecological knowledge. Indigenous peoples, who speak over 4,000 of the world’s 7,000 languages, are being forced to migrate due to extreme weather and environmental changes, leaving behind their languages. This loss diminishes valuable environmental insights that these languages hold, such as sustainable agricultural practices and medicinal plant uses. (InsideClimate News)
  
  
• On a new episode of the Global Yaadie podcast, Damion ‘Rooster’ Whyte, a Terrestrial Biologist and Wildlife Expert, discusses the multifaceted impact of climate change on the natural environment, wildlife, and human livelihoods. He highlights the significance of citizen science in collecting environmental data and examines how climate change affects various species. Watch.
  
  
• A Reuters analysis reveals that a program intended to help developing nations fight climate change is instead funneling billions of dollars back to wealthy countries through market-rate loans and conditional grants. Countries like Japan, France, Germany, and the United States have provided climate funding that benefits their own economies, undermining the goal of compensating poorer nations for the impacts of climate change. 
  
  
• “Short of a strong workforce supplying hundreds of talented employees with green skills, the adoption of renewable energy and other forms of green technology, the Caribbean runs the risk of repeating an all-too-similar trend of importing foreign workers to claim the top, highest-paying positions fueling the new green industries”, argues Joseph Boll, chief executive officer of Caribbean Employment Services, in a commentary for Caribbean Magazine Plus. 
  
  
• The report “Climate Migrants in the Dominican Republic” emphasizes the impact of climate-induced migration driven by factors such as water availability, rising sea levels, and agricultural productivity. It reveals a trend of migration from rural areas to urban centers, with Santo Domingo projected as a primary destination until 2050. However, by 2100, Santo Domingo and Santiago might become sources of migrants due to water stress and population density
  
  
• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports an 80% likelihood that the annual average global temperature will temporarily exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels at least once in the next five years (2024-2028). This forecast, which underscores the urgency of climate action, highlights the potential for short-term exceedance without implying a permanent breach of the Paris Agreement’s long-term goal.
  
  
• In a new episode of The Climate Conscious Podcast host Derval Barzey talks with Marion Atieno Osieyo, the brilliant mind behind the Black Earth Podcast, a program about the intricate relationship between nature and black women environmental leaders. Listen. 
  
  
• A just transition for Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) involves aligning climate action with the Paris Agreement while addressing regional challenges like job losses, adaptation, and resilience. The Just Transition Work Programme provides a framework for these discussions, emphasizing the need to consider impacts on livelihoods, finance, and governance. (Climate Analytics)

Democratic Governance 

• Cuba introduced new laws on administrative procedures and public transparency. The laws aim to standardize public administration decision-making and ensure public access to information, except in specific sensitive areas. Additionally, a new scheme for university admissions allows entry for students who failed or did not take entrance exams, sparking debate over educational standards. (La Joven Cuba)
  
  
• Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre announced that the St. Lucia government has signed a regional Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with other OECS countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Kitts-Nevis) to enhance the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs. This agreement includes proposals for legislative changes on name change requests, pricing, information sharing, transparency standards, security screening, regulation, dispute resolution, and other key areas. (Caribbean Times)
  
  
• Former St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Denzil Douglas has vehemently denied allegations made against him in a Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) civil suit filed by movie producer Philippe Martinez. The suit, which targets Douglas and other stakeholders in the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, accuses them of engaging in a fraudulent scheme. (Loop)

Human Rights

• A new report by Jamaicans For Justice emphasizes the pervasive issue of corporal punishment, highlighting it as the most common form of violence against children globally, primarily occurring in homes, schools, and state care facilities. It details the significant number of child abuse cases reported in Jamaica during the 2023/24 period, with thousands of instances of physical and emotional abuse. 
  
  
• The arrest of Canadian vlogger Christopher Hughes, known as “Chris Must List,” in Trinidad and Tobago has sparked a divided public opinion on whether he was promoting gang culture or documenting social realities. Hughes, who documents life in urban communities plagued by violence, was charged under the Sedition Act after refusing police cooperation. His arrest has raised questions about freedom of speech and the portrayal of disadvantaged communities. (Global Voices)
  
  
• On International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), the Barbados LGBTQ+ Coalition highlights ongoing constitutional reforms in Barbados and the wider Caribbean aimed at promoting equality and human rights. Despite progress in decriminalizing same-sex relations in several Caribbean countries, including Barbados, the fight for comprehensive legal protections for marginalized groups remains intense. Barbados, transitioning to a Republic, is in the process of re-imagining its constitution through the Constitutional Reform Commission. (Commonwealth Parliamentary Association)

The Caribbean and the World

• The struggles for liberation in Central America and Palestine are deeply connected, as highlighted by the intertwined histories of U.S. and Israeli support for oppressive regimes, suggests  a new article written by independent media ContraCorriente and published in Global Voices. Israel, acting as a proxy for the U.S., has provided arms, training, and surveillance technology to Central American dictatorships, mirroring its actions against Palestinians.

Migration

• A new Migration Policy Institute report reviews migratory institutions, free mobility pathways, and border management practices, and it assesses the socioeconomic impacts of migration, such as regularization measures, access to education and healthcare, and social cohesion. It underscores the importance of leveraging diaspora for development, particularly through remittances and private-sector engagement, and concludes with policy recommendations to enhance migration management, integration, and diaspora contributions to the region’s development

Racial Justice

• A report by Cuba Próxima highlights the persistence of racism in contemporary Cuba, challenging the narrative that the Cuban Revolution eradicate racial discrimination. Despite the Revolution’s efforts to promote social and economic mobility for Afro-Cubans, racism remains deeply ingrained in Cuban society and culture. 
  
  
• The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) of Guyana has begun discussions on Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes’ request to direct the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to stop using the term “negro.” Hughes, representing the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly-Guyana (IDPADA-G), cited Article 149 of Guyana’s Constitution, which mandates equality and non-discrimination, as well as international human rights laws against racial discrimination. (Demerara Waves)

Culture

• The Caribbean Culture Fund (CCF) exemplifies the critical role of art in defining and preserving Caribbean identity while charting a path toward future development and recognition. “Even during colonization and slavery, people were creating because creativity is a mark of freedom and the artists are actually freedom fighters”, stated Michele Pierre-Louis, Chair of the CCF Steering Committee. (Caribbean Culture Fund)

Opportunities 

• Voices of Future Generations (VoFG) Children’s Initiative invites young people ages 8-20 to submit 3-5 page stories about the future they want, inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Stories should creatively address global sustainability, justice, and the future, featuring characters and settings reflective of the author’s culture. Selected stories will be published in an international anthology and awarded Platinum, Gold, or Silver recognition. Entries are due by June 30, 2024. Apply. 
  
  
• The Fresh Milk Art Platform (Barbados) and the Centre for Culture in Lublin (Poland), as part of Lublin’s bid for the European Capital of Culture 2029, are inviting submissions for the fifth edition of Transoceanic Visual Exchange (TVE). This program will feature recent film and video works—screenings, installations, new media, time-based media, and expanded cinema—by contemporary artists from the Caribbean, Poland, Ukraine, and their diasporas. Submitted works must have been completed within the last five years. The application period runs from May 14th to June 30th, 2024. Apply. 
  
  
• From June 24th to 28th, 2024, FIMA and CANARI will offer an in-person specialized climate litigation and Escazú Agreement course for environmental lawyers in the English-speaking Caribbean. This training, which requires prior legal experience, aims to strengthen the connection between the Escazú Agreement and climate change issues, thereby closing the ‘access to climate justice’ gap. Interested participants must submit their applications by June 10th, 2024. Apply. 
  
  
• The Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF) is inviting applications for its 2024 grant cycle from June 3rd to July 1st, offering grants of up to $20,000 USD to support youth-led movements focused on equitable climate and environmental solutions. The fund prioritizes groups led by young people aged 35 and below, particularly those from marginalized communities, working on multiple intersecting issues. Eligible groups must demonstrate a commitment to increasing climate action, holding policy makers accountable, and fostering diverse, community-based organizers. Applications are open worldwide. Learn more. 
  
  
• The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is seeking two Assistant Human Rights Officers for a six-month assignment in Geneva, Switzerland, starting on July 1, 2024. The roles involve research, drafting documents, preparing country visits, and supporting Special Rapporteurs on issues related to water, sanitation, food, and housing rights. Applicants must be from developing economies, aged 18-26, and hold a relevant bachelor’s degree. The positions aim to enhance the work of Special Procedures in human rights and integrate qualified young professionals from diverse backgrounds into the UN system. Applications are due by June 19, 2024. Apply. 

Events

• June 15 — the LSE Festival: Power and Politics will host an in-person and online event titled “Power, Politics, and Belonging: The Lasting Impacts of Colonialism” at the Sheikh Zayed Theatre, Cheng Kin Ku Building. This session will feature speakers Professor Neil Cummins, Leah Eryenyu, and Dr. Maël Lavenaire, chaired by Dr. Sara Camacho-Felix. Register.
  
  
• June 19 — Chelsea College of Art & Design Seminar featuring University of Toronto PhD student Ashley Raghubir who will explore the Caribbean mangrove as a conceptual framework for analyzing contemporary Caribbean art, focusing on Hew Locke’s “The Procession” (2022). Register. 
  
  
• June 20 — The Durham Energy Institute Seminar Series, in partnership with the Durham Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy (CSDLP), online seminar titled “The role of Small Island States in driving climate action beyond the climate change regime: A year of ground-breaking advisory proceedings before International Courts”. Register. 

Just Caribbean Updates/Jordana Timerman
https://caribbeannewsupdates.blogspot.com 06/13/2024