THE Lucian People’s Movement (LPM) has taken to task a minority of the St Lucian population who it says are questioning the human rights status of students of the Lambirds Academy who are stranded here.
One of the students, GurjitKaur of India, gave birth to a baby boy here a week ago.
LPM said in a statement yesterday it was proud to have been a pioneer in the fight to protect the basic human rights of the Lambirds students “at a time when it was not politically popular to do so”.
The statement from LPM leader Therold Prudent: “Our decision back in early February of 2015 to personally meet with the students and to stand up for what is morally right, as opposed to what is politically expedient, may have earned us the ire of some government supporters and other detractors who have become skilful architects in seeking to enforce an illegal system of political censorship in the country.
“However, in spite of their vocal protestations, including the use of social media to further denigrate the students and the LPM, the political shenanigans of these detractors have proven ineffective against our determination to demonstrate that our government was not forthcoming regarding its involvement in sanctioning the operations of Lambirds Academy here in Saint Lucia.
“The truth finally came to light within the protective walls of Saint Lucia’s Parliament when, on May 3, 2015, the Honourable Emma Hippolyte, the Minister responsible for Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs, informed parliament that her ministry had in fact issued a trade licence to the proprietors of Lambirds to operate here in Saint Lucia.
“Sadly, this admission has not in any way helped to correct the misguided perception that the Lambirds students are indeed victims who were caught in the middle of an arrangement which the government now deems illegal.
“ In fact, the announcement last week that one of the students had given birth to a child on Saint Lucian soil, drew vicious indignation from a minority who have erroneously convinced themselves that the students, and now an innocent infant, are not entitled to the universal protection of their basic human rights.
“However, in spite of this shameful display of xenophobic behaviour which has crept into Saint Lucian society ever since the Lambirds affair, the LPM is fully cognizant that such negative, narrow, and reprobate attitudes do not represent the views of the majority of Saint Lucian nationals.
“Therefore, in keeping with our responsibilities as citizens of Saint Lucia, as well as with our progressive world view and that of the wider global community in which issues related to human rights are paramount, we wish to condemn those who have sought to tarnish the image of Saint Lucia as a peace-loving and hospitable nation.
“The LPM welcomes racial diversity and harmony in our nation, and we wish to extend our sincere congratulations to the parents of the newborn”.
La Jab, another good article, nice Tie and Shirt, but learn how to put a proper knot on that Tie. Looking good and good luck in Gros Islet this time around.