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IACHR
Press Release
IACHR Regrets the Murder of Clover Graham in Jamaica
August 24, 2012
Washington D.C. - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) regrets the murder of Clover Graham in Jamaica, who was Jamaica's Honorary Liaison for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
According to information publicly known, on August 19, 2012, the body of Clover Graham body was found with her throat slashed, in a field outside Kingston. To date, it is unknown who was responsible for her death, as well as the motives behind this crime.
Clover Graham was a renowned human rights activist in Jamaica, where she assisted refugees and asylum seekers. She served as the UNHCR's Honorary Liaison in Jamaica since 1998. Also, Graham worked in a legal aid clinic at the University of the West Indies' law school and lectured at the University of Technology. The Commission recognizes the valuable work performed by Clover Graham in protecting the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in Jamaica.
The Commission urges the State of Jamaica to make all necessary efforts to clarify the the abduction and murder of Clover Graham; to identify, prosecute and punish the perpetrators and masterminds; to provide adequate reparations to the victim's next of kin; and to adopt all necessary measures to avoid the repetition of this type of crimes.
A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this matter. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in a personal capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
No. 107/12