I am pleased to be here today as we commence this four-day workshop focused on developing comprehensive guidelines for witness protection. This initiative is timely in our collective efforts to enhance justice and ensure the safety of those who play a crucial role in our legal processes.

First and foremost, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), for your continued partnership and support.

A special thank you is due to Mrs. Marce Gillepse, our esteemed international expert who will be sharing her extensive expertise with us throughout this workshop. Your knowledge and insights will undoubtedly guide us in crafting robust and effective guidelines. I would also like to express our deep appreciation to the TIP Secretariat for their invaluable role in facilitating this initiative.

Additionally, I wish to acknowledge the various government entities from across the country that have facilitated the participation of their representatives in this workshop, namely; The Attorney General’s Office, Social Services Department, the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles, Department of Immigration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Education, the Financial Crime Investigation Unit, SITZ, the Prison Services, the Police Department and the Foreign Affairs Department. Your collaboration is crucial in ensuring that we have a diverse and comprehensive perspective as we develop these important guidelines.

The development of this witness protection guidelines is of paramount importance for Seychelles. Witnesses play a pivotal role in the justice system by providing crucial information and testimony that help uphold the rule of law and combat all sorts of crime. Protecting these individuals is not just a matter of safety; it is essential for the integrity of our legal processes and the trust our citizens place in the justice system.

The benefits to Seychelles are profound, we will not only enhance the safety and well-being of witnesses, but also reinforce our commitment to upholding justice and human rights. This initiative will contribute to a more resilient legal framework, capable of addressing the complexities of modern challenges while adhering to the highest standards of protection and fairness. Thus, strengthening witness protection will bolster our capacity to combat Organised crime, trafficking in persons, and other serious offences. It will also enforce our commitment to human rights and the rule of law, fostering a safer and more just society for all.

The importance of these guidelines cannot be overstated. By establishing clear and comprehensive guidelines, we aim to:

1.   Ensure the safety and security of witnesses who come forward to support investigations and prosecutions.
2.   Strengthen the overall effectiveness of our justice system by encouraging more witnesses to participate without fear.
3. Align our practices with national laws and policies, as well as regional and international legal frameworks and good practicesand with international human rights standards that are comprehensive and consistent with global best practices. 

Thank you once again to all our partners and experts for your dedication and support. I look forward to the valuable outcomes of this workshop and to the continued progress we will achieve together. Good luck!

Thank you.

It is my honour and privilege to welcome you all to this significant national workshop on Early Warning Systems, organized under the theme "Early Warnings for All" (EW4All). As we gather here today for a two-day deliberation, let us acknowledge the vital importance of Early Warning Systems (EWS) as a proven, effective, and feasible measure for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation. These systems not only save lives but also offer a tenfold return on investment.

Despite their proven benefits, significant gaps persist in early warning systems globally, particularly in translating early warnings into risk-informed early action. This workshop aims to address these gaps and ensure that every individual in our nation is protected by effective early warnings by 2027.
While government plays a crucial role in driving these initiatives, a "whole-of-society" approach involving civil society and the private sector is essential to strengthen and sustain early warning services. It is also imperative to acknowledge that disasters and climate change affect individuals differently based on their gender, age, and other factors. Thus, an intersectional approach is necessary to ensure that early warning services are inclusive, responsive, and equitable. By involving all sectors of society and adopting an intersectional perspective, we can enhance the effectiveness of early warning services in protecting vulnerable populations.

In Seychelles, we are committed to advancing our early warning systems. The UN system and its partners are keen to boost political momentum and collectively achieve the EW4All Action Plan by 2027. Our goal is to better manage and pre-empt hazardous events, thereby protecting and enhancing the wellbeing and resilience of vulnerable communities. Multi-hazard early warning systems, linked to early actions, are crucial in managing risks, enhancing adaptation, and building resilience.

This national workshop provides an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to agree on a roadmap to expand and improve the coverage of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS), empowering individuals and communities, especially those most in need, to take proactive and informed actions.
Our discussions will provide initial inputs towards a long term, multi-stakeholder EW4All national roadmap for coordinated resources, technical assistance, and long-term support. We hope to agree on a national coordination mechanism to guide the scale-up of early warning systems and develop a comprehensive gap analysis identifying policy, technical, financial, and other gaps in Seychelles across the four pillars of EW4All.In conclusion, let us seize this opportunity to collaboratively build a resilient future for our nation. By strengthening our early warning systems, we can protect lives, safeguard communities, and ensure sustainable development.

I wish you all productive discussions and meaningful outcomes

It is a privilege for me to be here this day with you, for yet another observation of Nelson Mandela Day, an annual event observed globally every 18^th of July. This year’s UN theme is, “IT IS IN YOUR HANDS”.   What this theme loudly communicates, is a call for engagement and coming together, for communities to address issues with determination and focus to gets things done better.

I wish to congratulate Commissioner St. Ange and his team for being consistent in observing this special day, for the seventh year in a row since it was first observed in 2018.  It confirms to the public at large, if anything that the Seychelles Prison Service engages in a transparent manner alongside the Neslon Mandela Rules. 

Commissioner St. Ange has brought to my attention, at our numerous briefing meetings, the concerns of the prison service that more and more, they find themselves managing inmates who are either being admitted or already convicted, with social behavioral issues, or exhibiting psychological concerns, and health complications. The health and wellbeing of both inmates and staff who are exposed daily to extreme events, remain a concern for my ministry.  The way forward and strategies that will be presented to us, will go a long way to drive improvements towards 2024 -2029.

Strategy initiatives, which will compliment approaches currently being undertaken within either the Law Enforcement community or steps, which will be taken to improve and address current concerns.

While the prison service projects forward its intentions to continually improve, let me now acknowledge successes achieved by this current management team.

An asset registry is now in place and regularly updated.  Controls have been implemented for purchases and are regularly assessed.  Over-all participation and modern management practices are in place where in the past they were lacking.  New outputs to operations were added such as the prison escort unit.  To note that in 2023 this unit escorted four thousand inmates with very little incidents recorded.  Even more impressive, and again in 2023, well over 350,000 meals were served, lunch and dinner.  Here I need to mention the improvements made to purchasing of rations, and the controls that are in place.  A prison being a prison, where challenges are encountered, forward thinking is needed. 

I also note the relative success and good participation of inmates under a community service approach.  Here I will make mention of the ‘Respe Nou Vwazinaz’ campaign, launched some thirty-six months ago, involving different sectors to engage with communities to address the ‘respect’ of self, community, villages and districts, a sense of responsibility and ownership, as we all work to address at times unsocial behaviour directly linked to criminal activity.

 There is certainly an immense effort and focus needed.  Some inmates will gladly engage with the prison service to positively take part in the rehabilitation approach, which is on offer.  Some others however will not, and will continue to push the envelope, so that they can continue to engage in acts of criminality and disorder.  For them, it’s simply a self-destructive outcome. 

Commissioner St. Ange will, in the plan to be presented bring out a few areas that are to be improved at Montagne Posee.

It is without doubt, that the future plans for SPS Montagne Posee will position this prison unit to be well advanced within the Region.

In conclusion, The Nelson Mandela Rules on the humane treatment of prisoners in our custody remains, for the prison service, a key area of work, as it continues to ensure compliance to this internationally recognized standard.  Health, treatment, and care of inmates as an example is one rule within one hundred and twenty-two rules that needs to be carefully and systematically observed and applied.  Doing so, enables an inmate to regain a footing, necessary for his life and that of his or her family. While health and wellbeing remain a priority for the prison service to address and deliver, it is also a responsibility of that inmate to take his or her health seriously as well.

Here I wish to acknowledge that the Prison services does attract a range of criticism, some valid whilst some not so much.  But if one person has been able to be faithful to this one management-rule of “Ignoring the noise and remaining focus on your goals”, the Commissioner has been an example.

I thank you and I know that the Seychelles Prison Service with determination and dedication and with staff who serve with integrity will be able to address its continued challenges and improve.  I look forward to the points that will be raised at a first ever roundtable and at the workshops that will be followed and carried out by RESORE on Restorative Justice.   Here is an example where one entity, being the Advisory Committee on Presidential Pardons, recommended that Restorative Justice be firmly part of the rehabilitation process and how this was positively received and acted upon by the prison service. 

Let us keep on working not in silos but across sectors for a stronger resilient Seychelles.   My wish as I conclude is for these events to continue.  With that said let, us meet up again at the eighth-event next year on 18 July 2025.

Today marks the beginning of an exciting moment where you start a new journey, facing a new reality. This training workshop focuses on the realms of cybersecurity, cybercrime, and critical infrastructure protection in Seychelles. As we navigate through the digitalization of government services and embrace the advancements of the digital era, it is paramount for us to strengthen our efforts in securing and safeguarding our cyberspace and protecting our virtual borders against threats that lurk in the shadows.

In a world where technology reigns supreme, the need for robust cybersecurity measures cannot be emphasized enough. As we embark on this journey of digital transformation, let us from the onset focus on best international practices – a foundation that shall uphold the integrity of our digital assets and protect our critical infrastructures from potential harm.

Today, as we gather to delve into the intricacies of cybersecurity, cybercrime detection, prosecution and deterrence, let us forge a collective resolve to combat these threats head-on. The menace of cybercrime looms large and it is vital that we equip ourselves with the requisite knowledge, tools and strategies to prevent such criminal activities and ensure a safe digital environment for all.

Furthermore, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to fortify our defenses against potential attacks on our critical infrastructures. These vital assets serve as the backbone of our nation and any breach in their security could have far-reaching consequences. It is imperative that we remain vigilant, proactive and united in our efforts in protecting these assets.

We should not underestimate the significance of Seychelles' Tier 1 classification on the US State Department's index of trafficking in persons, which was published last week. While this achievement is praiseworthy, it is vital to acknowledge that traffickers are adapting their techniques by utilizing technology to recruit and exploit victims. The use of social media, mobile messaging applications, online job portals, and illegal money transfers has become increasingly prevalent in human trafficking operations.

It is of utmost importance that we address these emerging challenges in the cyber realm in order to protect our nation, secure our virtual borders, and prevent further exploitation. The upcoming two-day session will provide invaluable insights and strategies to enhance our cybersecurity measures and effectively combat cybercrime.

I extend my dear thanks to our esteemed partners from the US for graciously offering their expertise and resources to conduct this two-day workshop. Your unwavering dedication to advancing cybersecurity initiatives globally is truly commendable and your contributions to this workshop will undoubtedly enrich our knowledge and empower us to navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity with proficiency and finesse.

We all know the importance of the task ahead, what we don’t know is how big the task is. But today is a start, to find out. To make that giant leap.

Thank you all and I wish you a productive workshop ahead.