Latest news with #RalphGonsalves
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Caribbean leaders hail ICJ climate ruling as ‘historic' win for small island states
Leaders in the Caribbean have hailed the outcome of the international court of justice (ICJ) climate change case as a 'historic legal victory' for small island states everywhere. Several countries in the region had provided evidence to the ICJ case, which ended this week with a landmark advisory opinion that could see states ordered to pay reparations if they fail to tackle fossil fuels and prevent harm to the climate system. Describing the opinion as a 'historic legal victory for small states' that are bearing the worst impacts of climate change, the prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Ralph Gonsalves, told the Guardian it would strengthen the Caribbean's negotiating power. 'What is very interesting is that it says that the obligations laid out in the important [climate change] treaties are not simply procedural,' he said. 'They create substantive legal obligations.' In recent years the Caribbean has been plagued by a string of catastrophic hurricanes. Last year Hurricane Beryl demolished more than 90% of buildings in parts of multi-island SVG and left thousands homeless and without running water, electricity and food. Gonsalves said the advisory opinion – which said a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right – connects climate action treaties such as the Paris agreement to other international laws such as those governing human rights. Echoing Gonsalves' sentiments, the Bahamas' attorney general, Ryan Pinder, praised the ICJ for taking a 'very strong position' that allowed countries to 'speak and argue about the adverse effects of the climate crisis on its people' and potentially provided more legal options to small states. 'It certainly opens up the positions of … states like the Bahamas to go into other areas of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions that are human rights-focused,' he told the Guardian. Referring to the catastrophic Hurricane Dorian in 2019, which killed more than 70 people and caused an estimated US$3.4bn worth of damage, Pinder said: '[This] had a significant impact on the human rights of our people, whether that be displacement … the right to an adequate standard of living … [or] access to food, water and housing. 'All of those are fundamental human rights that the ICJ has now recognised as a significant component of the adverse effects of climate change.' The advisory opinion's focus on reparations, he said, was important for the Bahamas, because it was about the obligation of major polluters to restore a country and its assets if it suffered the effects of a climate change-related disaster. Human rights and climate justice lawyer Nikki Reisch said it was possible to connect devastating climatic events to climate change and to the states responsible and pursue justice. 'The science on attribution and causation is strong and only getting stronger. The court made clear that there is no technical barrier to connecting climate destruction to its causes, to the continued pollution from fossil fuels and destruction of carbon sinks,' she said. 'The science is there, and this decision confirms that the law is too.' Reisch added that countries were responsible for past and present environmental breaches. 'The court really rejected the attempts of the biggest cumulative emitters like the United States and others to sweep history under the rug and ignore the decades of climate destruction, of fossil fuel production and pollution, of colonialism that laid the foundations for the devastation that climate change is wreaking in so many parts of the world.' In the UK, some MPs criticised the ICJ opinion, with the shadow foreign secretary, Priti Patel, describing it on X as a 'mad' decision, adding that the ICJ had 'lost its core purpose and is now joining political campaigns and bandwagons'. Dr Justin Sobion, who coordinated the Caribbean's ICJ submissions, said the opinion was an interpretation of climate obligations under international law, including global agreements that countries such as the UK – which recognise there is a climate emergency – have ratified. Pinder said: 'I'm not sure, given some of the commentary we've seen from larger developed countries and countries that were in the Industrial Revolution, that [the ICJ advisory] is really going to change their opinions.' He added that the 'rather unfortunate' comments from some political leaders in the UK on the ICJ opinion indicated that 'multilateralism is still going to be a significant challenge'. Pinder and Gonsalves said their countries were reviewing the ICJ opinion – which UN member states instructed the ICJ to produce in 2023 after years of campaigning by Pacific island law students and diplomacy led by Vanuatu – and considering how to work with other countries in the region on next steps. 'This has given us an excellent platform,' Gonsalves said. 'We have … to follow through with some heavy lifting, to do negotiations. At the end of the day, this is about life, living and production for all of us on planet Earth.'
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Caribbean leaders hail ICJ climate ruling as ‘historic' win for small island states
Leaders in the Caribbean have hailed the outcome of the international court of justice (ICJ) climate change case as a 'historic legal victory' for small island states everywhere. Several countries in the region had provided evidence to the ICJ case, which ended this week with a landmark advisory opinion that could see states ordered to pay reparations if they fail to tackle fossil fuels and prevent harm to the climate system. Describing the opinion as a 'historic legal victory for small states' that are bearing the worst impacts of climate change, the prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Ralph Gonsalves, told the Guardian it would strengthen the Caribbean's negotiating power. 'What is very interesting is that it says that the obligations laid out in the important [climate change] treaties are not simply procedural,' he said. 'They create substantive legal obligations.' In recent years the Caribbean has been plagued by a string of catastrophic hurricanes. Last year Hurricane Beryl demolished more than 90% of buildings in parts of multi-island SVG and left thousands homeless and without running water, electricity and food. Gonsalves said the advisory opinion – which said a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right – connects climate action treaties such as the Paris agreement to other international laws such as those governing human rights. Echoing Gonsalves' sentiments, the Bahamas' attorney general, Ryan Pinder, praised the ICJ for taking a 'very strong position' that allowed countries to 'speak and argue about the adverse effects of the climate crisis on its people' and potentially provided more legal options to small states. 'It certainly opens up the positions of … states like the Bahamas to go into other areas of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions that are human rights-focused,' he told the Guardian. Referring to the catastrophic Hurricane Dorian in 2019, which killed more than 70 people and caused an estimated US$3.4bn worth of damage, Pinder said: '[This] had a significant impact on the human rights of our people, whether that be displacement … the right to an adequate standard of living … [or] access to food, water and housing. 'All of those are fundamental human rights that the ICJ has now recognised as a significant component of the adverse effects of climate change.' The advisory opinion's focus on reparations, he said, was important for the Bahamas, because it was about the obligation of major polluters to restore a country and its assets if it suffered the effects of a climate change-related disaster. Human rights and climate justice lawyer Nikki Reisch said it was possible to connect devastating climatic events to climate change and to the states responsible and pursue justice. 'The science on attribution and causation is strong and only getting stronger. The court made clear that there is no technical barrier to connecting climate destruction to its causes, to the continued pollution from fossil fuels and destruction of carbon sinks,' she said. 'The science is there, and this decision confirms that the law is too.' Reisch added that countries were responsible for past and present environmental breaches. 'The court really rejected the attempts of the biggest cumulative emitters like the United States and others to sweep history under the rug and ignore the decades of climate destruction, of fossil fuel production and pollution, of colonialism that laid the foundations for the devastation that climate change is wreaking in so many parts of the world.' In the UK, some MPs criticised the ICJ opinion, with the shadow foreign secretary, Priti Patel, describing it on X as a 'mad' decision, adding that the ICJ had 'lost its core purpose and is now joining political campaigns and bandwagons'. Dr Justin Sobion, who coordinated the Caribbean's ICJ submissions, said the opinion was an interpretation of climate obligations under international law, including global agreements that countries such as the UK – which recognise there is a climate emergency – have ratified. Pinder said: 'I'm not sure, given some of the commentary we've seen from larger developed countries and countries that were in the Industrial Revolution, that [the ICJ advisory] is really going to change their opinions.' He added that the 'rather unfortunate' comments from some political leaders in the UK on the ICJ opinion indicated that 'multilateralism is still going to be a significant challenge'. Pinder and Gonsalves said their countries were reviewing the ICJ opinion – which UN member states instructed the ICJ to produce in 2023 after years of campaigning by Pacific island law students and diplomacy led by Vanuatu – and considering how to work with other countries in the region on next steps. 'This has given us an excellent platform,' Gonsalves said. 'We have … to follow through with some heavy lifting, to do negotiations. At the end of the day, this is about life, living and production for all of us on planet Earth.'
The Guardian
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Garifuna singer Tavo Man hails Grammy nomination as historic first
When the Honduran musician Gustavo Castillo, stage name Tavo Man, was nominated for a Latin Grammy, it was seen as a triumph for Garifuna people around the world. It was the first time a Garifuna song was recognised in the prestigious awards, and was considered a milestone in the fight to preserve and popularise the culture. Having his Garifuna song, Hun Hara, which celebrated the values of kindness and gratitude, recognised by the Grammys was important in telling the story of his ancestors, said Castillo, 31. The Garifuna, descendants of enslaved Africans and Indigenous Kalinagos, are indigenous to the Caribbean island of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), but their diaspora has spread across the Americas. 'It was only the first round of the Grammies, but it meant a lot to me, because I'm the first Garifuna artist to achieve this; it was like a dream coming true,' he said. He added: 'I remember when I sent the request to the Latin Grammy. I was a little nervous about it because I was the first one to cross that line … I was not expecting anything to come from it. So when they answered me and they told me to send my biography, it was like, wow.' The Garifuna came into the spotlight in March when SVG's prime minister, Ralph Gonsalves, purchased Baliceaux, a private, uninhabited island in the country's archipelago where thousands of Garifuna perished after they were stranded there by the British in 1796 in miserable conditions. Regarded as sacred by the Garifuna, the SVG government announced plans to designate Baliceaux a heritage site for Garifuna who still live in Honduras, Belize and the other regions to which their ancestors were exiled by the British, centuries ago. Castillo's recent release Ítarala – 'Amen' – is rooted in a traditional Garifuna hymn that explores humanity's spiritual connection to its supreme creator. He wants his music to revive Garifuna music and language, which have been recognised by Unesco on its register of intangible cultural heritage. Castillo said he remembers his grandmother singing the hymn to him. 'My mum used to work, so I used to spend more time with my grandmother. She was 100% Garifuna, and she taught me about respect and about the culture.' He added that since the age of 13, he had felt compelled by his ancestors to be a voice for the Garifuna people. 'They need someone to talk about the history of the things that are happening in the community today; to remind us that we are warriors, survivors, and that to deal with today's challenges, we need to act together like our ancestors did.' Castillo said he persevered with his music, even when his parents disapproved, concerned that it was not a lucrative career option. 'I'm the first in my family to start doing music and making art. So it was a little bit complicated for me. For them, they saw my dreams as something to do just for a couple of years, not for my whole life. They didn't realise I could get something, or make a living from this.' Castillo credits his manager, Miguel Álvarez, who is also Garifuna, for keeping him focused and avoiding trouble on the streets of Honduras. Princess Eulogia Gordon, a Californian publicist who strongly identifies with her Garifuna heritage, compared Tavo Man to other greats of Caribbean music. 'I remember growing up in the US and hearing Bob Marley on the radio, and then people coming out with Carib Beats and Afro Beats. We had Beenie Man and Sean Paul, and Rihanna, and I was saying, 'Oh my gosh, we are getting more and more of our flavours coming to the mainstream.' 'But, none of the Garifuna late greats like Paul Nabor, Andy Palacio and Aurelio Martínez were on the radio, and here we are in 2025 and they are still not getting that respect and that access to the mainstream,' she said. Gordon said she felt an instant connection to Man's rendition of Ítarala. 'I feel like it was divinely and spiritually brought to me so I could work with it, and ensure that it gets pushed out into the community and beyond. The ancient story of the Garifuna is woven into this music, but there is also a contemporary rhythm that engages children and young people who have lost the desire to be Garifuna. This song gives us permission to be Garifuna.'
The Guardian
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Garifuna singer Tavo Man hails Grammy nomination as historic first
When the Honduran musician Gustavo Castillo, stage name Tavo Man, was nominated for a Latin Grammy, it was seen as a triumph for Garifuna people around the world. It was the first time a Garifuna song was recognised in the prestigious awards, and was considered a milestone in the fight to preserve and popularise the culture. Having his Garifuna song, Hun Hara, which celebrated the values of kindness and gratitude, recognised by the Grammys was important in telling the story of his ancestors, said Castillo, 31. The Garifuna, descendants of enslaved Africans and Indigenous Kalinagos, are indigenous to the Caribbean island of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), but their diaspora has spread across the Americas. 'It was only the first round of the Grammies, but it meant a lot to me, because I'm the first Garifuna artist to achieve this; it was like a dream coming true,' he said. He added: 'I remember when I sent the request to the Latin Grammy. I was a little nervous about it because I was the first one to cross that line … I was not expecting anything to come from it. So when they answered me and they told me to send my biography, it was like, wow.' The Garifuna came into the spotlight in March when SVG's prime minister, Ralph Gonsalves, purchased Baliceaux, a private, uninhabited island in the country's archipelago where thousands of Garifuna perished after they were stranded there by the British in 1796 in miserable conditions. Regarded as sacred by the Garifuna, the SVG government announced plans to designate Baliceaux a heritage site for Garifuna who still live in Honduras, Belize and the other regions to which their ancestors were exiled by the British, centuries ago. Castillo's recent release Ítarala – 'Amen' – is rooted in a traditional Garifuna hymn that explores humanity's spiritual connection to its supreme creator. He wants his music to revive Garifuna music and language, which have been recognised by Unesco on its register of intangible cultural heritage. Castillo said he remembers his grandmother singing the hymn to him. 'My mum used to work, so I used to spend more time with my grandmother. She was 100% Garifuna, and she taught me about respect and about the culture.' He added that since the age of 13, he had felt compelled by his ancestors to be a voice for the Garifuna people. 'They need someone to talk about the history of the things that are happening in the community today; to remind us that we are warriors, survivors, and that to deal with today's challenges, we need to act together like our ancestors did.' Castillo said he persevered with his music, even when his parents disapproved, concerned that it was not a lucrative career option. 'I'm the first in my family to start doing music and making art. So it was a little bit complicated for me. For them, they saw my dreams as something to do just for a couple of years, not for my whole life. They didn't realise I could get something, or make a living from this.' Castillo credits his manager, Miguel Álvarez, who is also Garifuna, for keeping him focused and avoiding trouble on the streets of Honduras. Princess Eulogia Gordon, a Californian publicist who strongly identifies with her Garifuna heritage, compared Tavo Man to other greats of Caribbean music. 'I remember growing up in the US and hearing Bob Marley on the radio, and then people coming out with Carib Beats and Afro Beats. We had Beenie Man and Sean Paul, and Rihanna, and I was saying, 'Oh my gosh, we are getting more and more of our flavours coming to the mainstream.' 'But, none of the Garifuna late greats like Paul Nabor, Andy Palacio and Aurelio Martínez were on the radio, and here we are in 2025 and they are still not getting that respect and that access to the mainstream,' she said. Gordon said she felt an instant connection to Man's rendition of Ítarala. 'I feel like it was divinely and spiritually brought to me so I could work with it, and ensure that it gets pushed out into the community and beyond. The ancient story of the Garifuna is woven into this music, but there is also a contemporary rhythm that engages children and young people who have lost the desire to be Garifuna. This song gives us permission to be Garifuna.'
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Direct flight links UK to tiny country different to other Caribbean islands
''Hi, I'm Ralph,' says a gregarious figure with warm eyes and salt and pepper hair as he crosses the terminal of Argyle International Airport. His presence piques the interest of waiting passengers and soon a small crowd – some seeking selfies – gathers for a glimpse. The casual opening remark belies the man's status but, given he has been Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) for 24 years, Ralph Gonsalves requires little introduction here in his homeland. South of St Lucia, west of Barbados and north of Grenada, I am in St Vincent (the largest of SVG's 32 islands) to sample the delights of a destination emerging from the shadow of the Caribbean's holiday giants. Tourism in this volcanic former British colony erupted last year, increasing by 25% to 101,471 overnight visitors – a figure similar to the country's modest population. Mr Gonsalves was instrumental in creating the nation's first international airport – where our chance encounter takes place – and quips 'love is in the air' as he recalls its inaugural flight on Valentine's Day 2017. The 78-year-old also cut the ribbon last March at the official opening of Sandals, a luxury all-inclusive resort directly responsible for the recent influx of travellers, which is accessible via direct flights of approximately 11 hours from London Heathrow. I check in to the sprawling five-star retreat – the first such property on St Vincent and the newest of the chain's 17 adults-only hotels spread across eight Caribbean islands – the day after its first anniversary. Cradled by lush mountains, there are 301 rooms and suites, including 10 lavish two-storey overwater villas, four swimming pools and a spa set amid a 50-acre site looking out over Buccament Bay. So, why should sunseekers venture to this lesser-known corner of the Caribbean Sea? 'Let me put it into perspective for you,' says Jamaica-born Tamon Allen, the hotel's amiable general manager, as we sit down for dinner at Sora, one of 12 on-site restaurants. 'St Vincent would be Jamaica back in the 70s, so 50 years behind; Barbados, it would be maybe 30 years behind; St Lucia, about 20 years behind. They've not modernised St Vincent and I think that's what makes it so special. 'If you go to the windward side of the island and drive all the way to La Soufrière mountain, it is just breathtaking: the nature, the pureness, and the simple lifestyle that the locals live – absolutely amazing.' My home for three nights is a spacious garden suite complete with patio soaking tub. It comes with 24-hour room service and a personal butler, who is on call from 8am to 10pm and can arrange breakfast in bed, dinner reservations and, if necessary, unpack my suitcase. I tweak Tamon's suggested itinerary and opt to explore the Leeward Coast on the west side. With local expert Quency Lewis at the wheel, we wind through verdant hills and coastal valleys flanked by quiet fishing villages and secluded coves of volcanic black sand. 'This is basically how St Vincent is, like a rollercoaster,' says the charismatic tour guide as we snake north from the capital city Kingstown. I discover the archipelago's principal landmass, which is just 18 miles long and has a maximum width of 11 miles, is fertile ground prime for fruit production and home to waterfalls, rainforest and walking trails. La Soufrière looms large in the north and is a popular spot for hikers. The 4,048ft volcano erupted in 2021, covering the island in ash and forcing nearby residents to evacuate homes. It was previously active in 1979 – the year SVG, which remains in the Commonwealth and retains King Charles III as head of state – gained full independence, having been under British rule since 1763. I glimpse the volcano during a sunset cruise from Sandals (an exclusive treat for butler-level guests). Clouds linger over the peak as daylight gradually fades. The brooding weather is in stark contrast to the mood on board where crew members dance to blaring soca (soul of calypso) music while serving rum punch and bottles of Hairoun, St Vincent's award-winning lager. A pod of bottlenose dolphins dive and weave at the bow of the boat before we approach Wallilabou Bay. The harbour introduced the world to Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow and will be familiar to many as the fictional Port Royal from the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Just around the jagged coastline, the captain points out Old Man's Trousers, an arch-shaped rock formation where prop skeletons were hanged as a warning to Sparrow and other marauding buccaneers. Sandals, which was largely unscathed when Hurricane Beryl devastated parts of the region last July, offers numerous opportunities for seafaring. A wobbly paddleboard outing from the resort's palm-tree lined beach (constructed with imported white sand) provides a gentle introduction before I increase the adrenalin by skimming across the surface on a tubing ring attached to a speedboat. Scuba diving (for PADI-certified guests), kayaking and snorkelling are also complimentary, while beach volleyball, croquet and tennis are among the activities on dry land. Visitors eager to island-hop have plenty of options too. The pristine beaches of Bequia – the closest Grenadian island – are around 10 miles south of Kingstown and just an hour away using daily ferries, while a handful of neighbouring countries can be reached in tantalisingly short flight times. My Caribbean odyssey begins at the very southern tip of the Windward Islands in Grenada. The Spice Isle, renowned for its production of nutmeg, mace and cinnamon, is an ideal partner to St Vincent for those in search of a twin-centre trip. While there is more of a do-it-yourself feel in up-and-coming SVG, Grenada – accessible by air in just 45 minutes – has a greater tourist infrastructure, but it is still refreshingly uncrowded. After getting my bearings by taking in the sweeping views from Fort Frederick (built between 1779 and 1783), I travel down into the pretty capital St George's before heading north into the hills. Near the shores of Grand Etang, a crater lake that features on the country's coat of arms, I catch sight of a mona monkey. The primates arrived here aboard 18th-century slave ships and are otherwise found exclusively in west Africa. Later, I cool off beneath the 30ft Annandale Waterfall before finishing the day at Grand Anse, Grenada's most famous stretch of sand – a short distance from my luxurious lodgings at Sandals on Pink Gin beach. Back on St Vincent, I sip a final pina colada prior to waving goodbye to Sandals by speedboat (another butler-level perk). The journey to the departure gate concludes on a short stretch of 'rollercoaster' ocean road ahead of my impromptu audience with the PM. 'There's a Sandals effect undoubtedly,' Mr Gonsalves tells me as talk turns to tourism before we board the same flight to the UK. 'It has been phenomenal – an amazing, amazing impact.' Unassuming, uncluttered and largely untouched, flourishing St Vincent blends natural beauty, adventure and relaxation with undiluted Caribbean charm.
