The fifth Summit of the Americas has failed to recognize that
human rights must be placed at the centre of efforts to confront
the many fundamental challenges facing the region. Governments
from every country in the Americas, except for Cuba, took part
in the four-yearly meeting held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and
Tobago, between 17 and 19 April. The 34 heads of state and
government discussed the Summit's three principal themes: human
prosperity, energy security and environmental sustainability.
The Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain was adopted by
consensus at the close of the Summit on 19 April. Based on the
three themes, the Declaration fails to lay out a clear human
rights framework for progress in these areas. A number of
governments, including Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua and
Honduras, indicated that they were not prepared to formally sign
the Declaration. Leaders agreed to instead adopt it by consensus
and have Trinidadian Prime Minister Manning sign on behalf of
all leaders. The governments t