TOBAGO – Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Orville London yesterday called for Tobago to be given full autonomy as a fitting and lasting tribute to former president, prime minister and chairman of the THA Arthur NR Robinson, who died from kidney failure at St Clair Medical Centre, Port-of-Spain, on April 9. He was 87.
London said this during a state funeral for Robinson at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago. The first state funeral was held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (Napa), Port-of-Spain, last Thursday.
London said Robinson’s vision was for autonomy for Tobago: “He has died with his Tobago vision unfulfilled.” London said: “…We must take the responsibility to ensure that Robinson’s vision of an autonomous Tobago in an equitable, dignified, and mutually beneficial relationship with Trinidad, in a strong, united, democratic state, is realised.”
The previous day Arthur NR Robinson was eulogised as “the grandfather of the International Criminal Court,” by President of the ICC, Judge Sang-Hyun Song.
The ICC is a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for atrocities such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.
Song said ICC system would most likely not have existed today, had it not been for Robinson’s vision, initiative and persistence. He recalled that Robinson at the United Nations in 1989 set in motion a process that would later lead to the creation of the world’s first permanent court; and left two key presents to humanity—the ICC and the Trust Fund for Victims.
Following the three-hour service, there was a private service at the Scarborough Methodist Church. Robinson was later buried at the church cemetery, with a 21-gun salute.