Solidarity with Yugge Farrell: Regional Statement
Amend the Mental Health Act of St. Vincent and the Grenadines NOW
We the undersigned, condemn in the strongest possible terms, the persecution and mistreatment of Ms. Yugge Farrell by the legal, medical, and political authorities of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We are in full solidarity with Ms. Farrell and those Vincentians who stand with her.
Ms. Farrell was arrested on January 4th, 2018 and charged with the use of abusive language to Karen Duncan- Gonsalves, the wife of Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves and daughter-in-law of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. After pleading not guilty, an application was made by the prosecutor for Ms. Farrell to be confined to the Mental Health Centre for two weeks for psychiatric evaluation, as allowed under the nation’s Mental Health Act. However, according to a statement issued by the St. Vincent and Grenadines Human Rights Association (SVG HRA) – an independent Civil Society Organization – there was no apparent supporting evidence or behavior by Ms. Farrell which warranted the prosecutor and magistrate seeking and deciding to commit Ms. Farrell to the Mental Health Center. Furthermore, it appears that medication was administered to Ms. Farrell although the Mental Health Act only speaks to observation and evaluation of persons and does not include any mechanism to oversee involuntary admission and treatment practices. Also problematic is the fact that the Mental Health Center does not currently have trained psychiatrists or psychologists on staff. After the initial observation period passed, Ms. Farrell was detained for a third week and only released on bail on January 29th, 2018.
The mistreatment of Yugge Farrell raises several serious concerns about the probable abuse of the existing Mental Health Act of St Vincent and the Grenadines. We ask- is commitment to a mental institution for use of insulting language a regular occurrence in SVG? We join the SVG HRA in questioning the validity of the observation report and treatment administered to Ms. Farrell. We note the alleged romantic relationship that Ms. Farrell has publicly claimed with Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves and caution those who rush to dismiss this incident as simply a matter of ‘love gone bad’ to reflect on the fact that state entities can easily use the excuse of mental instability to vilify, discredit, and institutionalize any critic or person(s) deemed a threat or embarrassment to the established political order.
As human rights defenders, feminists, and persons who care about well-being and justice in the Caribbean and beyond, we condemn the actions of the judicial and medical authorities of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and their violation of the rights of Ms. Yugge Farrell. We deplore the misuse of mental health policies to oppress individuals and advance goals other than the safeguarding of wellness. Now that Ms. Farrell’s detention in the Mental Health Center has ended, we support calls for an investigation into the decision to detain and medicate her. We support her family members and demand independent medical and psychiatric care for her. We stand with the St. Vincent Human Rights Association who urge an immediate review and modification of the existing Mental Health Act so that it becomes compliant with international norms and standards to prevent abuses and protect human rights. Finally, we remind the government and authorities of St. Vincent and the Grenadines of their commitment to ensure their citizens’ right to free speech and protection from state persecution. The eyes of the world are watching you.
There must be no more violations of the rights of Yugge Farrell or any other Vincentian. Amend the Mental Health Act of St. Vincent and the Grenadines now.
In solidarity,
- Andaiye – Guyana
- Karen De Souza – Red Thread, Guyana
- Sherlina Nageer MPH – Guyana
- Alissa Trotz – Canada
- Jospehine Whitehead – Guyana
- Angelique V. Nixon – Trinidad and Tobago
- Gordon Forte – Guyana
- Delores Robinson – GROOTS, Trinidad and Tobago
- Tonya Haynes – Barbados
- Gina Singh-Trotz – USA
- Akola Thompson – Women’s Wednesdays, Guyana
- Anya Dover – Guyana
- Indera Persaud – Jamaica
- Maya Trotz – USA
- Ronelle King – Barbados
- Julio Thijs – Canada
- Verna St Rose Greaves – Trinidad and Tobago
- Dr Nastassia Rambarran – Barbados
- Mellissa Ifill – Guyana
- Salima Bacchus-Hinds – Guyana
- Fatimah Jackson-Best – Canada
- Charlene Wilkinson – Guyana
- Stephanie Leitch – Womantra, Trinidad and Tobago
- Krysta Bisnauth – Guyana
- David Khan – Canada
- Mosa Telford – Guyana
- Jessica Joseph – Trinidad/ St. Lucia
- Paige Jennan Andrew – WE-Change, Jamaica
- Kimalee Phillip – Grenada/ Canada
- Lana Finikin – Jamaica
- Romola Lucas – USA
- Nailah John-Price – Leave Out Violence in SVG, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Shanya Cordis – Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Spelman College, USA
- Marcus Day – St. Lucia
- Zina Edwards – Guyana
- Karen Philip – Trinidad and Tobago
- Savitri Persaud – Canada
- Roy Kingston – Guyana
- Simone Leid – The Women Speak Project, Trinidad and Tobago
- Ayesha Constable – Jamaica
- Kala Ramnath – UK
- Oluatoyin Alleyne – Guyana
- Naicelis Rozema Elkins – USA
- Maggie Schmeitz – Stichting Ultimate Purpose, Suriname
- Alicia Wallace – Equality Bahamas/Hollaback, Barbados
- Derwayne Willis – Guyana
- Gerhard Ramsaroop – Guyana
- Raquel Thomas- Caesar – Guyana
- Vidyaratha Kisson – Guyana
- Dawn Van Rossum – Antigua and Barbuda
- Shonnet Moore – Guyana
- Lauricia Akeisha Henry – Antigua
- Michelle Springer – Barbados
- Chantal Antoine – USA
- Holly Bynoe – ARC Magazine, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Hilary Nicholson – Video for Change, Jamaica
- Vashty Maharaj – Central Beat magazine, Trinidad and Tobago
- Tandieka Johnson – USA
- Reine Joseph – St. Lucia
- Peggy Antrobus – St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Honor Ford Smith – Canada/ Jamaica
- Alexandrina Wong – Antigua
- Marlon Mills – St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Marguerite Allen – Jamaica Community of Positive Women, Jamaica
- Vanessa Lumbley – Jamaica Community of Positive Women, Jamaica
- Shaneka Allen – Jamaica Community of Positive Women, Jamaica
- Althea Cohen – Jamaica Community of Positive Women, Jamaica
- Olive Edwards – Jamaica Community of Positive Women, Jamaica
- Eunice Graham – Jamaica
- Beverly Bain – Canada/ Trinidad
- Jean Lowrie-Chin – Jamaica
- Erin Greene, CAFRA – Bahamas
- Ann Maria Diran – Suriname
- Jennifer Grant-Wilson – USA
- Marsha Hinds-Layne – NOW, Barbados
- Maria Fontenelle – ECADE, Eastern Caribbean
- Randall Theodule – St. Lucia
- Majhon John – Mental Health Provider, USA
- Maxine Allen – St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Cherrise Mcdowall – St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Jermain Ostiana – Curacao
- Diane Cummins – Conscious Exchanges, Barbados
- Nicole S. Hendrickson – Firecircle!, Trinidad and Tobago
- Judith Weederburn – Jamaica
- Keturah Cecelia Babb – Order of Nyahbinghi, Dominica/ Jamaica
- Sendy Brown – Canada
- Arielle Aska – Antigua
- Patricia Sheerettan-Bisnauth – Guyana
- Sharda Ganga – PROJECKTA Citizens’ Initiative for Participation and Good Governance, Suriname
- Mark Jacobs – Guyana
- Nadeen Spence – Jamaica
- Nesha Edwards – St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Catherine Sealys – Raise Your Voice, St. Lucia
- Jamela Khan – Trinidad and Tobago
- Carinya Sharples – Guyana
- Priscila Francisco Pascoal – Brazil
- Audrey Roberts – Bahamas
- Emma Lewis – Jamaica
- Ruth Osman Rose – Trinidad and Tobago
- Beverly Nelson – Grenada
- N’Delamiko Lord – Trinidad/ Barbados
- Melissa Matthews – Trinidad and Tobago
- Linnette Vassell – Jamaica
- Bridget Lewis – Canada
- Joan French – Jamaica
- Ulelli Verbeke – Guyana
- Jean La Rose – Guyana
- Robert Cuffy – USA
- Mark Moseley – Guyana
- Derek Gomes – Guyana
- Elton McRae – Guyana
- Andrew Campbell – Guyana
- John Shevrattan – Canada
- Shayla Murrell – Barbados
- Colin Robinson – CAISO, Trinidad and Tobago
- Sasha Robinson – USA
- Lisa Outar – USA
- Bianca Wagner – Bahamas
- Louby Georges – Rights Bahamas, Bahamas
- Stephanie Stfleur – Rights Bahamas, Bahamas
- Jackson Petit – Bahamas
- Granville Knight – Jamaica
- Jasmin Renee Wu – JRW Foundation, Trinidad and Tobago
- Huiming Wu – JRW Foundation, Trinidad and Tobago
- Celine Leid – JRW Foundation, Trinidad and Tobago
- Ava Turnquest – Bahamas
- Kevon Mc Kenna – Trinidad and Tobago
- Winy Marango – Vanutu
- Aroona Ramsahai – Trinidad and Tobago
- Kenene Senior – Jamaica
- Jean-Claude Cournand – 2 Cents Movement, Trinidad and Tobago
- Mavis Mainu – Ghana
- Soyini Ayanna Forde – Trinidad and Tobago
- Alysia Christiani – USA
- Namela Baynes-Henry – Rainbow House, Guyana
- Tamisha Lee – Jamaica
- Natalie Bennett – USA
- Jamal Gilbert – Guyana
- Rupa Singh – Guyana
- Henna Guicherit – Foundation Women’s Rights Center, Suriname
- Sandra Latibeaudiere – Jamaica
- Shirley Pryce – Jamaica Household Workers Union, Jamaica
- Marion Bethel – Bahamas
- Carol Narcisse – Jamaica
- Nadia Sagar – Guyana
- Peta- Anne Baker – UWI, Jamaica
- Ruel Johnson – Guyana
- Nan Peacocke – Guyana/ St. Vincent and the Grenadines/ Canada
- Roslyn John – St. Vincent and the Grenadines/ Canada
- Norwell Hinds – Guyana
- Thomas Eugene – St. Lucia
- Delven Adams – Guyana
- Halimah DeShong – St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Bianca Wagner – Equality Bahamas, Bahamas
- Ashlee Burnett – The 2 Cents Movement, Trinidad and Tobago
- Crystal Brizan – CAFRA, Trinidad and Tobago
- Danuta Radzik – Guyana
- Adriana Sandrine Isaac-Rattan – International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN), Trinidad and Tobago
- Jacqueline Hughes – Trinidad and Tobago
- Terrence Blackman – Guyana
- Japhet Jackman – Guyana
- Margo King – St. Vincent and the Grenadines/ Canada
- Alana Benjamin – Antigua & Barbuda
- Natasha Yhap – Guyana
- Clairmont Mali Chung – Stateless
- Dianne Madray – Let The Women Speak, Guyana
- Brenda Greaves – St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Sebastian Prescod – Canada
- Sally Erdle – St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Maxine Allen – Canada
- Sharon Watkis – USA
- Lilian Ferrier – Foundation for Human Development, Suriname
- Jacqui Alexander – Trinidad and Tobago
- Y Deane – Past Chairman Mental Health Commission of Barbados, Barbados
- Help and Shelter – Guyana
- Leith Dunn – Jamaica
- Vanda Radzik – Women’s Rights Advocate, Guyana
- Florence Goldson – Belize
- Indranie Deyal – Trinidad and Tobago
- Wintress White – Red Thread, Guyana
- Joy Marcus – Red Thread, Guyana
- Halima Khan – Red Thread, Guyana
- Vanessa Ross – Red Thread, Guyana
- Susan Collymore – Grassroots Women Across Race (GWAR), Guyana
- Paul Anthony Odell – USA
- Joel Simpson – SASOD, Guyana
- Ann Harvey – Guyana
- Andrea Weekes – Leave Out Violence Now St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Canada
- Dennis Atwell – Guyana
- Letitia Pratt – Bahamas
- Shorna James – Canada
- Amory Cumberbatch – USA
- Jeanette Campbell – Jamaica
- Sylvia Baker – Bahamas
- Kristina Hinds – Barbados
- Nicole Charles – Canada
- Kaneesha Parsard – USA
- Cassandra Lord – Canada
- Yusuf Hafejee – Barbados
- Gabrielle Hosein – Trinidad and Tobago
- Gralyn Frazier – The Bahamas
- Susan Mains – Grenada
- Leslieann Seegobin – Trinidad and Tobago
- Chelsea Foster – Girls of A Feather, St. Lucia
- Paul Anthony O’Dell – USA
- Roberta Clarke – Trinidad and Tobago
- Kaylorn Jones – USA
- Marijke Sonneveld – Projekta, Suriname
- Antonia Meinecke – Germany
- Jennifer Grant Wilson – USA
- Mark Dacosta – Guyana
- Marilyn Rice-Bowen – Past President, Caribbean Women’s Association
- Vanya Martha David – Dominica
- Peter Lyte – USA
- Nathilee Caldeira – USA
- Neish McLean – Jamaica
- Marisa Hutchinson – Barbados
- Neish McLean – Jamaica
- Antoinette Bacchus – USA
- Timmia Hearn – USA/ Trinidad and Tobago
- Ronald Daniels – Guyana/ Trinidad and Tobago
- Anandi A. Premlall – Guyana/ USA
- Rajanie Preity Kumar – Canada
- Foundation Womens’ Rights Center – Suriname
- Quality of Citizenship – Jamaica
- Kay Ann – SVU/ ANU
- Carla Dougan – UK
- Marlene Corbin – USA/ Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
- Faith Smith – USA
- Kadon Douglas – Grenada/ Canada
- Donna Joy Tai – Canada
- Karen Gordon – St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Natifa Yorke – St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Kester Thompson – Guyana
- Ashley John – Constructive Solutions Inc., St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Ayesha Williams – Trinidad and Tobago
- Delroy Williams – Leve Domnik, Dominica
- Deirdre Hector – St. Kitts & Nevis / USA
- Cyntica Herbert-Fraser – UK
- Dale Medford – Barbados
- Bernadette Johnson – Bahamas
- Cathy Shepherd – Trinidad and Tobago
- Garfield Isles – USA
- Andrena Emin – St. Vincent/ UK
- Cyntica Herbert-Fraser – UK
- Khadija Moore – Youth Advocacy Movement, Dominica
- Calton Roper – Canada
- Shirley Watkis – UK
- Wil Campbell – Therapist, Huband, Father, Guyana
- Garfield Isles – USA
- Jemma John
- Rosie Descartes
- Coreen Irving
- Tamara J Savoury
- Cordelia Goodluck
- Joan Cuffie
- Ernestine Watson
- Malaika Slater
- Summer Lewis-Clarke
- Shanta Grant
- Kwame Nkosi Romeo
- Marcia Braveboy
- Jecliz Walker
- Adriana King
- Debra Providence
- Ajene Eustace
- Camille Bradshaw
- Beverley Sinclair
- Angus Steele
- Lorrette Duncan
- Joyce Lewis-Cordice
- Josette
- Winston Lewis
- Jamette Pisse
- The Bahamas Crisis Centre
- Stop the Maangamizi: We Charge Genocide/ Ecocide Campaign – UK
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