Carmona hails reporters, disability advocates

Carmona, on Wednesday evening at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, Portof- Spain, hosted a reception for regional delegates participating in a training seminar on The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities hosted by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

“February gone it was 15 years since Daniel Pearl was beheaded,” he said.

“Since then, many journalists have died in their attempt to send messages to the world at large about man’s inhumanity to man.” He remembered the journalists who have gone beyond the call of duty by presenting stories of human suffering such as now unfolding in Aleppo, Syria.

“Many journalists have died trying to do this.” About Pearl, Carmona said, “It appears, from what was said about him, that he was a beautiful human being who was decapitated.

This tells you that in life we all have to make a stand at some point in time.” Carmona hoped ways would be found to recognise such journalists.

Also “making a stand”, he said, are activists for the rights of the differently-abled.

He hailed the work of such activists, including those attending the training conference. He said he hoped they would sensitise the Caribbean to the plight of the differently-abled and their loved ones, whom he collectively described as “those who endure, those who suffer, family members, friends, colleagues, having a disability whether it is mental, physical or otherwise.” Carmona thanked the evening’s event organiser, his wife, Reema Carmona, saying they believe disability rights needs more attention including establishing equity in all areas of our society.