UPR Sexual Rights Database

UN Compilation:
Para 2) OECS encouraged Saint Kitts and Nevis to accede to all core United Nations human rights instruments as soon as possible, in accordance with the recommendations issued in the 2011 universal periodic review. It indicated that the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis had not yet acceded to OP-CRC-SC, although this recommendation had been accepted during the 2011 universal periodic review.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 1) Amnesty International (AI) stated that during its first Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in January 2011, Saint Kitts and Nevis had accepted recommendations to consider the ratification of the ... OP-CRC-SC ... and to review national legislation to ensure compliance with the principles and provisions of the Convention. AI highlighted that despite this commitment, at the time of writing, Saint Kitts and Nevis had not yet ratified these Optional Protocols.

National Report:
Para 13) The ratification of the OPs to the CRC is currently under discussion by the government. A review of our legislation was conducted several years ago, and, it was noted that some elements of the legislation would require adjustment as it relates to the OP on children in armed conflict. This is currently being reviewed and the government will consider signing the OPs and declare any possible reservations with regard to children in armed conflict.

National Report:
Para 13) The ratification of the OPs to the CRC is currently under discussion by the government. A review of our legislation was conducted several years ago, and, it was noted that some elements of the legislation would require adjustment as it relates to the OP on children in armed conflict. This is currently being reviewed and the government will consider signing the OPs and declare any possible reservations with regard to children in armed conflict.

UN Compilation:
Para 11) The subregional team asserted that the Constitution prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex, race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed, but that no specific legislation addressed discrimination on the basis of disability, language, sexual orientation gender identity or social status. UNESCO underscored that no sufficient measures had been taken to address persisting discriminations.

Para 15) The subregional team stated that societal negative attitudes towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community impeded the operation of organizations working for such individuals and their free association. It asserted that public discourse on the rights of such individuals indicated that there remained strong sentiment against homosexuality and gay marriage, and reported that the former Prime Minister had publicly advocated a review of the country's anti-sodomy laws and tolerance for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals

Stakeholder Summary
Para 10) JS2 reported that during the 2011 review, despite several recommendations made to decriminalize consensual same sex relations, Saint Kitts and Nevis stated that a popular "mandate" was necessary for state protection of the rights of sexual minorities, and that continued criminalization of consensual sex under sections 56 and 57 of the Offences against the Person Act was justified because of "strong opposition" by citizens to repeal these laws.

Para 11) JS2 affirmed that subsequent to UPR 2011, acts of violence committed against persons because of their sexual orientation or gender identity continued to occur, and persons who defended the rights of these individuals were often subjected to verbal attacks.

National Report:
Para 57) Since its first UPR review, the Government of St Kitts and Nevis has held consultations with a large cross section of the society including persons with disabilities to assess the needs of this group of individuals, usually considered as a marginalized group.

Para 58) The aim was to more fully engage persons with disabilities and their representatives to discuss the international CRPD.

UN Compilation:
Para 1) The United Nations subregional team for Barbados and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) noted that, during the 2011 universal periodic review of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the country received numerous recommendations to ratify or accede to various international human rights treaties and that, although Saint Kitts and Nevis accepted some of those recommendations, it had not ratified any additional core United Nations international human rights treaties.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 3) JS2 reported that subsequent to UPR 2011 the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis had promised to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and that this was still pending. It considered that in so doing the Government had largely failed to adequately promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities as per recommendation 76.30 delivered in its UPR 2011