Political activist writes UN in an attempt to block SVG’s bid for Security Council seat

Political activist Luzette King has penned a letter to several international bodies, protesting St Vincent and the Grenadines’ bid for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council of the United Nations.

The eight-page letter is dated May 3, 2019 and bears the letterhead of “De Frontline (SVG)”.

It is addressed to the Heads of Government (via Permanent Missions to the United Nations) of: Permanent Member States of the United Nations Security Council, CARICOM and the OECS, The Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) and the Africa Group.

The letter said that it was seeking the support of CARICOM and GRULAC as well as the Council’s five permanent members.

“Our call for not supporting SVG’s bid for a place on the United Nations Security Council, particularly the 5 permanent members to reject any bid submitted by Dr Gonsalves on behalf of SVG to become a permanent (sic) member of The Council is guided by that in which the United Nations stands for and against,” King wrote in her letter.”

She continued; “…therefore, it is in this vein of fighting against authoritarianism that we the members and supporters of De FrontLine make this call for your rejection of any bid from Dr Gonsalves on behalf of SVG, which country he has ruled in a wholly undemocratic, corrupt and capricious fashion since the turn of the 21st century”.

In her letter, King also wrote that the admission of SVG’s current government will neither benefit the UN or SVG as it will dishonour the principles of the UN and assist this regime in extending its “illegitimate rule over its unfortunate people, a people who will therefore continue to suffer under a regime that would now be propping itself up on a wholly undeserved, but prestigious accolade bestowed by the organisation that you lead”.

A copy of the letter obtained by SEARCHLIGHT listed 68 names who are referred to as members and supporters of De Frontline (SVG). Some names appeared on the list more than once.

Press secretary, Sehon Marshall described the letter as “a disappointing display of a lack of patriotism” while speaking on WE FM on Wednesday morning.

“It’s unfortunate that those involved can be so blinded and … led, driven by a powerful and very — I’m trying to be very careful — but a very powerful and frightening emotion of hate for the leader of the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Marshall said. “So powerful that that hate transcends the hate for the individual to the point now where it becomes hatred for the country simply because the individual is involved in nation building.”

The press secretary highlighted several benefits of SVG becoming a non-permanent member of the Security Council.

One such benefit is being able to raise issues that are relative to small island states, which in some cases do not receive enough attention.

“In their mind, all they can see is that it would be an accolade for Dr Gonsalves, not that St Vincent and the Grenadines stands to benefit. And as the US Embassy to the OECS in Barbados says, it would be a significant, significant, significant development for the region. They seem unable to see that dimension,” he said.

Marshall said it was unfortunate, but he believes that the majority of Vincentians would reject the petition due to love of country and regardless of who they support electorally.

SEARCHLIGHT contacted the opposition leader, Godwin Friday on Wednesday evening for a comment on the matter.

“I’ve heard that there was something of that sort, yes. I don’t know the contents of it yet and that is something that I have to apprise myself of this evening,” Friday said when asked about the letter.

He answered in the affirmative when asked if SEARCHLIGHT could call on Thursday morning for a comment. However, it appeared as though the opposition leader’s phone was turned off the following day.
Member states of the United Nations will vote today to decide whether St Vincent and the Grenadines should sit on one of the non-permanent seats of the Security Council.