UK Government will not allow Falkland Islanders’ human rights to be ignored

British Prime Minister David Cameron delivers his Christmas message to the people of the Falkland Islands:

2012 has been a memorable year for all of us. It’s been a year of happy celebrations but a year of more sober commemorations too. In London and Stanley, we celebrated the Diamond Jubilee, marking the 60th year of Her Majesty the Queen’s reign. The genuine and deep affection for Her Majesty both here and in the Falklands reminded us of the ties that bind us together.

PM Cameron said the coming Falklands referendum is true democracy in action and an opportunity to send a message to the world  

It was an extraordinary summer in another respect too. The 2012 Olympics exceeded all our expectations. This was without doubt the greatest show on earth.

The world saw what the best of British talent, guts and ingenuity could produce. I was truly, truly proud of our country and I hope it looked as impressive 8,000 miles away as it did from here.

But June was also a time for some sombre reflection. It was a time to remember the conflict 30 years ago when your home was invaded by the Argentinean Junta and for remembering the 255 British servicemen and three Islanders who lost their lives. I know you, like me, will never forget the sacrifices they made. It would be appropriate too to remember those Argentines, mostly young men, pressed into service by their government, who also lost their lives.

Last month we sadly lost Sir Rex Hunt who played such a pivotal role during the invasion and following the Island’s liberation.

Sir Rex was the very best of British: a brave man and a dedicated public servant. He was also a close friend and passionate advocate of the Falkland Islands people. I know he will be much missed by all who knew him.

In June I had the privilege of speaking at the Falkland Islands Government’s Liberation Day reception. I was able to hear firsthand the stories of those directly involved in the conflict and to understand more about its lasting legacy. But, we didn’t just look back, we looked forward too and it’s testament to your efforts that the Falklands have prospered so well since those dark days of April 1982.

The progress you’ve made in shaping a positive future for the next generation of Falkland Islanders has been truly remarkable.

Now this year the Government officially renewed its partnership with the Overseas Territories, restating our commitment to help promote the territories social and economic development at a time of dramatic global challenges.

We want all the peoples of the Overseas Territories to be able to determine their own destiny and realise their aspirations.

But, I’m always conscious that you, the people of the Falkland Islands, continue to face a particular and direct challenge both to your economy and to your identity as Falkland Islanders.

President Kirchner’s Government appears determined to argue that you should have no say in how you are governed. They continue to misrepresent the history of your Islands and the current realities of life there. I’m pleased to see the Falkland Islanders working hard to correct these misrepresentations.

Indeed, it was particularly good to see a delegation of young Islanders travel to the United Nations in June to challenge President Kirchner directly. They were a great credit to you all.

It is a pity that Argentina persists in behaving this way. The UK would like to have a more positive relationship with the Government of Argentina. We are stepping up our engagement with Latin America more generally, and there are so many global issues we could work on together.

But, the British Government will not stand by and allow your human rights to be ignored. There is no justification for any country to try and deny you the right to democracy and self-determination. Nor to make attempts to isolate you, block your trade and undermine your legitimate fisheries, hydrocarbons and tourism industries.

Next year the Falkland Islands Government will hold a referendum on the political status of the Islands. I value deeply the UK’s relationship with the Falklands and hope it will long continue.

But it is not my decision, nor is it Argentina’s, it is yours and yours alone.

This referendum is true democracy in action, an opportunity to show the international community what you want for your future and to show it definitively. I hope all of you seize it.

In the meantime, Samantha and I would like to wish everyone on the Islands a very, very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. (Penguin News)

Falklands share the full spirit of the London Olympics with torch bearer Rebecca

Falkland Islands residents were able to get into the swing of the lead up to the Olympics this week when one of 8,000 Olympic torch bearers, Commonwealth Games badminton gold medallist Rebecca Pantaney (36) carried a torch to the Islands.

Alan and Donna Yon with baby Abigail and Rebecca and torch

Scouts and beavers line up with Rebecca and the torch Scouts and beavers line up with Rebecca and the torch

A worker at the Leiv Eiriksson rig holds the paper “Olympic torch” constructed by school children.

Rebecca, who has given training to the Falklands badminton team annually since 2007, in preparation for both the Island Games and the Commonwealth Games, said, “people love it, it really brings home that the Olympics will start soon.”

Children at both schools and other children groups had a personal visit, while others were able to have their photo taken alongside Rebecca and the torch at the West Store Café on Wednesday. Others will have the opportunity on Friday night at the Olympic Spirit event at Stanley’s Town Hall.

The England Under 19 age group coach told Penguin News she has a busy schedule while in the Islands, not just as a result of her torch carrying duties: “I’m coaching while I’m here, both younger players and the small squad heading to Brazil.”

Rebecca will join three other members of the Stanley badminton club team in Sao Paulo at the end of September when she will play doubles with Islander Mike Brownlee at the event which is part of the International Badminton Federation circuit.

Other team members comprise Doug Clark and Laura Minto: “it will be a great experience for them all,” she said.

Rebecca, who began playing badminton when she was ten years old, officially retired from badminton in 2003 and immediately took up coaching. She is currently one of only 2 level 3 coaches in the UK and the only female. She most recently returned from coaching in Belgium she told Penguin News.

Asked how she came to be part of the torch bearers group, Rebecca explained that her family and another badminton coach had nominated her last year. She found out she had been chosen last December, but was asked not to release the news until March.

On May 23, her big day, she set out before 5am on a bus carrying 20 other torch bearers. They were dropped off along the route and when each one finished their part of the relay they re-boarded the coach and followed the next runner. Her day finished around 10pm, all for a 300 metre run; but a very worthy one.

In other Olympics related events the ever resourceful Camp education teachers and children pulled off something of a coup with their carefully constructed paper Olympic torches, when one was delivered to the Leiv Erikssen rig and taken on a tour of the facilities including the moon-pool and the drill floor.

The rig workers kindly took up the challenge with enthusiasm and utilised the ‘flame’, lighting up the mechanics’ area and even sending it to the medic for a check up when it dwindled, before giving it a ‘douse’ of petrol following the doctor’s prognosis.

It was sent to the bridge to help steer the rig and then flown back to Stanley for a flight around the Falklands courtesy of the Falkland Islands Government Air Service. Finally it visited the North Camp and the school at MPC.

Another celebrated “Olympic” event had as its main performer the Falklands’ youngest resident Abigail Charlee-Rae Yon born on July 20, 2012.

Abigail might not remember her meeting with Olympic Games torch bearer Commonwealth Games UK gold medallist Rebecca Pantaney, but courtesy of Falklands’ photographer Norman Clark she had the moment recorded for posterity.

Mum Donna has a rather more difficult task than Rebecca however, because at 7lb 2oz at birth, Abigail was at least 5lbs heavier than the super light weight aluminium alloy torch.

Each torch has 8,000 small holes to represent the number of torch bearers. The circles which run the length of the body of the torch make it lighter to carry and also offer a level of transparency, allowing people to see right to the heart and view the burner system that keeps the flame alight.

The circles also help ensure heat is quickly dissipated without being conducted down the handle. (Penguin News).-