Who We Are
The OHCHR CARICOM Regional Office is part of the global presence of the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) — the principal UN entity mandated to promote and protect human rights worldwide. As one of over 100 OHCHR field presences globally, the CARICOM Regional Office was established following the adoption of UN Human Rights Council Resolution 54/33 on 12 October 2023, and officially opened in October 2024.
Serving the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, the office works across 14 countries — from Antigua & Barbuda to Trinidad & Tobago, and including Suriname — to support governments, regional bodies, national human rights institutions, and civil society in strengthening human rights standards, systems, and practices.
Guided by international human rights law, our team combines technical specialists, human rights advisors, and regional experts committed to ensuring that all individuals — especially those at risk of discrimination or exclusion — can fully enjoy their rights. The Regional Office operates with the support of OHCHR Headquarters in Geneva, drawing on both global expertise and deep regional knowledge to address the Caribbean's unique challenges and opportunities.
What We Do
The OHCHR CARICOM Regional Office provides technical cooperation, capacity-building, oversight, and advocacy to help strengthen human rights protection across the Caribbean. Our work supports governments, civil society organizations, national institutions, and communities through a range of activities, including:
Strengthening Human Rights Frameworks We assist CARICOM States in aligning national laws, policies, and practices with international human rights standards. This includes supporting justice sector reforms, democratic governance, rule of law initiatives, and the development of inclusive national human rights mechanisms. The Caribbean has seen encouraging legislative progress in recent years — from disability rights legislation in Barbados to the decriminalization of same-sex conduct in Dominica — and we are committed to supporting continued momentum across the region.
Supporting Engagement with UN Human Rights Mechanisms We help States prepare for and follow up on recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), treaty bodies, and Special Procedures. While most Caribbean countries have ratified at least five of the core international human rights instruments, significant gaps remain. Our role includes technical guidance, coordination support, and capacity-building to ensure meaningful and sustained implementation of human rights obligations.
Oversight and Addressing Human Rights Challenges In partnership with national actors, we identify and respond to key human rights trends across the region, including gender-based violence, discrimination and social exclusion, migration and refugee protection, climate-related impacts, and challenges affecting vulnerable and marginalized groups. Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face some of the world's most acute climate vulnerabilities, and we work to ensure the human rights dimensions of these challenges are recognized and addressed.
Building National and Regional Capacity We provide training and advisory services to government officials, civil society leaders, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), and other partners. This strengthens institutional capacities and enhances their ability to advance human rights protection at national and regional levels. Through our University Strategy, we also partner with tertiary institutions — including the University of The Bahamas and the University of the West Indies — to integrate human rights into academic and research curricula across the region.
Promoting a Human Rights Culture We support public outreach, education, and awareness initiatives to promote understanding of human rights principles. Through collaborations with schools, youth organizations, community groups, and media platforms, we encourage informed participation and community resilience. The Caribbean's rich history of movements for justice and equality — from reparative justice to climate justice and gender equality — continues to inspire and ground our work.
Our Commitment
The Caribbean region shares a profound history, culture, and diversity. Human rights values have long resonated in the region's movements for justice and equality, and the establishment of the OHCHR CARICOM Regional Office reflects a recognition that these principles are essential to addressing the challenges we face and creating opportunities for everyone.
The OHCHR CARICOM Regional Office is dedicated to supporting societies where all individuals — regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, disability, belief, or identity — can live in dignity and enjoy their fundamental rights. Through partnership, dialogue, and evidence-based action, we work with CARICOM States, civil society, and communities to translate commitment into tangible and lasting change — ensuring that no one is left behind.
