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FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0041
INFO EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRIDGETOWN 000737 
 
SIPDIS 
STATE FOR S/GWI 
WHA/CAR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PHUM KPAO KWMN XL
SUBJECT: Embassy Bridgetown Nomination for 2010 Secretary's Award for 
International Women of Courage 
 
REF: STATE 111471 
 
¶1.  With the concurrence of the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown country 
team, I am pleased to nominate St. Vincent and the Grenadines civil 
society and human rights activist Anesia Octavia Baptiste for the 
2010 Secretary's Award for International Women of Courage.  Ms. 
Baptiste, an outspoken, effective and consistent advocate for the 
rights of her fellow citizens, has displayed personal courage and 
commitment in advocating positions opposed by either the government 
and the opposition, most recently as an active leader in a "Vote 
No" movement designed to inform citizens of the possible negative 
affects of enacting a new constitution that will be voted upon via 
referendum this year.  She has also worked to guarantee that the 
rights of women are fully considered  as the constitutional reforms 
are debated. 
 
 
 
¶2.  The referendum on a new constitution is the first of its kind 
in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  It could, inter alia, turn the 
multi-island nation into a presidential republic, and has spurred 
much debate within St. Vincent.  It has also engendered concern 
that basic voter rights, including voter education, confidence in 
the reform process, and transparent registration techniques, are 
being marginalized by those in the leftist-leaning administration 
who are lobbying hard for a "yes" vote.  Throughout her campaign, 
Ms. Baptiste has organized and led speaking tours, letter writing 
campaigns, media events, and town hall meetings to ensure voters 
are well informed ahead of the referendum -- all with little to no 
support from other non-governmental organizations and while 
supporting her own familial needs. 
 
 
 
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ADVANCING FREEDOMS 
 
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¶3.  Apart from her recent constitutional reform activities, Ms. 
Baptiste has also worked tirelessly to highlight other important 
issues, including environmental protection, property rights and 
HIV/AIDS awareness.  As Director of the Thusian Institute for 
Religious Liberty, a human rights organization that promotes 
individual rights, including religious freedom, she has coordinated 
these efforts effectively with other local non-governmental 
organizations and has used her public visibility to support 
initiatives that would increase awareness on such issues.  From 
public service announcements calling for active volunteerism to 
curb pollution and help the needy, to frequent speaking engagements 
promoting protection to land owners from government takeovers, Ms. 
Baptiste has fought for the improvement of wide-ranging liberties 
for all Vincentians.  Given her day job as Communications Manager 
for St. Vincent's Tourism Ministry, Ms. Baptiste runs the risk that 
she could face retribution in the form of assignment to less 
visible and rewarding civil service positions if she continues to 
speak publicly counter to the political goals of the government. 
 
 
 
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A KEY SUPPORTER OF U.S. REGIONAL POLICIES AND MISSION PRIORITIES 
 
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¶4.  Anesia Baptiste embodies the importance we place on democracy 
and human rights, specifically regarding the right to seek freedoms 
that should be afforded all citizens, regardless of gender, of any 
nation.  She is an educated, thoughtful and strong-willed 
individual who has quickly gained the respect of many civil society 
activists and regional non-governmental organizations.  A number of 
our interlocutors have gone so far as to call her an ideal 
candidate to lead her country, with some calling her St. Vincent's 
"Rosa Parks."  And despite the heavily patriarchal society in which 
Ms. Baptiste lives and operates, her admirers have spanned gender 
divides successfully.  Her activities have also taken part in a 
sometimes hostile environment, as evidenced by the alleged 
wire-tapping and surveillance of her and likeminded colleagues. 
 
BRIDGETOWN 00000737  002 OF 002 
 
 
¶5.  Though supported by many in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, her 
efforts have never been recognized by her government or other 
regional organizations.  Being recognized by the Secretary in this 
manner, at this time, would speak directly to our support for 
democracy and gender equality throughout the Eastern Caribbean and 
in St. Vincent and the Grenadines specifically.  It would also 
encourage others to follow suit, creating more opportunities for 
change and development on a grassroots level. 
 
 
 
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PERSONAL INFORMATION 
 
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¶6.  Ms. Baptiste has been contacted regarding the nomination, and 
has agreed to accept the award if chosen. 
 
-- Full legal name:  Ms. Anesia Octavia Baptiste 
 
-- Job Title/Association:  Communications Manager, St. Vincent and 
the Grenadines Ministry of Tourism/Director, Thusian Institute for 
Religious Liberty 
 
-- Date of Birth:  12 August 1980 
 
-- Country of Birth:  St. Vincent and the Grenadines 
 
-- Citizenship:  Vincentian 
 
-- Address:  P.O. Box 2622, Kingstown, St. Vincent and the 
Grenadines 
 
-- Telephone/E-mail:  784-528-1015; 784-432-5268 / 
anesiarichards@gmail.com, thusian_ar@hotmail.com 
 
-- Passport Number:  R0034900 
 
-- Language(s):  English 
 
 
 
¶7. The Embassy point of contact for this nomination is 
Political/Economic Officer Jamal Al-Mussawi.  Mr. Al-Mussawi can be 
reached via e-mail at Al-MussawiJA@state.gov or by telephone at 
246-227-4237. 
HARDT