Displaying 48201 - 48225 of 58126 recommendations found
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State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:BarbadosBarbadosRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:10th session, February 2011Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Sign ICCPR and ICESCR.ExplanationWith regard to ratification of human rights instruments, the delegation indicated that Saint Kitts and Nevis had approached the consideration of the recommendations in a realistic manner, committing only to those actions that were within its ability and competence to implement and maintain. The delegation also stated that Saint Kitts and Nevis could not commit, in the short term, to signing and ratifying new treaties without undertaking a meticulous assessment of the resources essential to fulfilling its obligations under them.
The work on this aspect of the human rights framework had already commenced. As a part of this process, the Special Committee on Conventions and Treaties would consider these matters and make recommendations to the Cabinet. Notwithstanding that Saint Kitts and Nevis was not yet a Party to all of the instruments, it continued to adopt best practices, and remained committed to the ideals of the Conventions.ImplementationUN 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 2) AI stated that in its first review, Saint Kitts and Nevis had not expressed a clear position on recommendations to consider signing and ratifying a number of core international human rights standards, including ICESCR ... AI asserted that the government had taken no action in this respect, and that the ratification of these treaties was still outstanding. -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Domestic violence
Type:Review DocumentationSession:23rd session, November 2015Status:Reference AddressedContents:Regarding domestic violence, JS2 asserted that the laws in Saint Kitts and Nevis did not provide for independent prosecution of perpetrators and that it was vital that the state intervened in prosecuting acts where there was sufficient evidence to charge the perpetrator, as the cycle of domestic violence was such that victims were either afraid of the perpetrators or too emotionally or financially invested in the relationship to pursue these violations. [Para 24] -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:National ReportIssue:
- Other
Type:Review DocumentationSession:23rd session, November 2015Status:N/AContents:St. Kitts and Nevis introduced single-sex education on an experimental basis for students from Grades Three to Six in three of the largest primary schools in September 2011. This decision was taken subsequent to an emerging trend which statistical data recognizes as a gender imbalance at the University of the West Indies (UWI), which has been traced to the primary schools. Based on the Ministry's review and supported by empirical evidence, it was suggested that young boys in Grades Three to Six perform better, academically, in all-male learning environments. [Para 39] -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:MexicoMexicoRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASOEIACSIssue:
- Gender equality
Type:RecommendationSession:23rd session, November 2015Status:AcceptedContents:Promote gender equality in law and in practice, particularly through education and public awareness.ExplanationThe Director of Gender Affairs in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender Affairs and Social Services sits on special committee to review model Sexual Harassment Bill which will be presented to Heads of Government at CARICOM meeting shortly.
Funding has been received from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives for sensitization training for men on gender based violence. Training commenced on February 15th 2016 at Her Majesty's Prison and a second training will be conducted in the community. Funds will also be used for production of Public Service Announcement (PSAs).
UNWOMEN has indicated verbally a willingness to provide technical assistance for training of Permanent Secretaries in gender mainstreaming and child and gender sensitive budgeting.
Gender Sensitization sub-project has been submitted to the Caribbean Development Bank for approval for funding under Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) 7, an initiative through the Caribbean Development Bank. This will include funds for PSA's, training for persons in gender and the re-introduction of gender focal points in each Ministry.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 30) The Ministry of Labour records no outstanding issues as at 2019, as it relates to cases of inequalities in Pay. The Equal Pay Act 2012 guides the occasional handling of these matters, in addition to the ongoing data collection to track and monitor cases of this nature. The Ministry of Labour is committed to strengthening its efforts in raising awareness to the Equal Pay Act.
Para 31) The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis, under the Ministry of Labour, is committed to amend the Protection of Employment Act.1986 that would prohibit sexual harassment within the workplace, so allot proper adjudication and overall justice in matters of this nature. Additionally, the Ministry of Labour will seek to strengthen collaborations and consultations with the Department of Gender Affairs and the Royal Saint Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) as counterparts in administering justice.
Para 33. The Department of Gender Affairs has a significant responsibility in raising awareness; monitoring and improving the status of women and girls in the country through the implementation of a number of International Conventions and declarations.
Para 34) The Department’s priority areas include the formation of a National Gender Policy, the empowerment of women and girls, the reduction of all forms of gender-based violence, poverty elimination, governance and democracy, and programmes for men and boys.
Para 35) The Department of Gender Affairs functions under a policy framework, which is guided by international and regional commitments including the Sustainable Development Goals, Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Gender Equality Observatory, (CSW) Commission on the Status of Women in Saint Kitts & Nevis and the Belém do Pará Convention. It has responsibility to fulfil periodic international, regional and national reporting obligations.
Para 36) Within the last year Saint Kitts and Nevis completed and submitted the Beijing +25 Report, ECLAC Montevideo Report, MESECVI (Belém do Pará) Evaluation; and Gender Equality Observatory reporting.
Para 37) As part of the women’s empowerment platform, the Department of Gender Affairs administers a Prison Programme which aims to provide support and advocacy services for incarcerated women. The Prison Programme facilitates short term skills training and education for female inmates of Her Majesty’s Prison to assist them with their personal and career development e.g. entrepreneurship classes and agricultural training.
Para 38) The “Engaging, Empowering and Advancing Women” Entrepreneurship Workshop was delivered to a group of six women at the prison in September 2017. The women received intensive training to develop business ideas and business plans and learnt skills to start their own businesses upon their reintegration into society. Upon release, some women are faced with unemployment challenges, but with the assistance from the Department, employment has now become more accessible. One example includes an inmate who, since her rehabilitation, has successfully opened and operates a Day Care Centre. We are pleased to report that since the Prison Programme was restarted in 2017, there have been no repeated offences.
Para 39) In 2016-2017 the Department of Gender Affairs led a Gender Sensitization Project designed to provide the wider society with a more sophisticated understanding of gender; to improve gender mainstreaming in the public sector, and to enable the private sector to address and provide more substantial reporting about gender-related issues. Deliverables from this project included the creation of three sector specific training guides and a manual for use with adolescents, the private sector and focal point units within the public sector. Subsequently, 116 focal points across Saint Kitts and Nevis in the private and public sectors, and civil society were trained. Further gender sensitization training sessions were carried out in July and August 2018 respectively. Gender sensitization training continues to be delivered through the Department of Gender Affairs.
Para 40) After a Gender Equality Study was conducted in 2014, the results renewed the Government’s desire to complete a Gender Policy, and in 2018, the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis restarted the consultative process towards its National Gender Policy. The general objective of the gender policy is to advocate for non- discrimination on the grounds of sex and to provide a framework that will assist the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis in facilitating gender equality and empowerment. The policy will be structured in two parts: gender mainstreaming and gender setting.
Para 41) ‘Gender mainstreaming’ is a strategy embraced by the Government, and is an important initiative that promotes gender equality in institutions policies and programmes. The implications and interests of men and women are considered in order to address unequal social structures. Gender mainstreaming seeks to ensure that gender issues are addressed within the existing development strategies and programmes. Gender setting will seek to transform the existing agenda through the systematic application of a gender perspective. Other strategies will include gender sensitization, training, promotion, ensuring public ownership of the policy, ensuring data disaggregation, promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality, and establishing a gender responsive, monitoring and evaluating mechanism within government and other agencies.
Para 42) The Government recently received approval for additional funding, from UNESCO, to complete the drafting of said policy. The document is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2021 and will be presented to Cabinet for approval thereafter.
UN Compilation:
Para 22) Women are under-represented in decision-making positions and in political bodies, particularly in parliament. Women account for 20 per cent of the Federal Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis, which comprises a single National Assembly with 11 elected representatives of parliament, one of whom is a woman, and four senators, including two women. The Cabinet in Saint Kitts is made up of nine ministers, including one woman (11 per cent of the total). Of the six Cabinet members in the Nevis Island Administration, one is a woman (17 per cent of the total).
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State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:GermanyGermanyRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:23rd session, November 2015Status:AcceptedContents:... Ratify and implement the CRPD.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 6) On 27th September, 2019, Saint Kitts and Nevis signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and acceded to it approximately three (3) weeks after on 17th October, 2019. This is one of the many steps the country has taken in its quest to improve the human rights conditions throughout the Federation.
UN Compilation:
Para 3) … The Ministry of Foreign Affairs collaborated with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on human rights training workshops for government officials and civil society organizations, including advocacy on the ratification of the CRPD and public awareness seminars on the rights of persons with disabilities. In October 2019, Saint Kitts and Nevis ratified the CRPD.
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State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:BahamasBahamasRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:23rd session, November 2015Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Undertake the necessary processes, by availing itself of any available technical assistance, to identify and overcome any obstacles which may exist to the country becoming a State party to additional core human rights treaties, such as the ICESCR, ICCPR ...ExplanationIt cannot be overly emphasized how firmly committed we are to adhering to international standards in relation to human rights. It must be reiterated that lack of adequate resources, both human and financial, often stymies responses deemed to be necessary by the international community. -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:SpainSpainRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUOEIIssue:
- Discrimination based on sexual orientation
Type:RecommendationSession:23rd session, November 2015Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Carry out awareness campaigns for the population in relation to non-discrimination based on sexual orientation.ExplanationNoted.ImplementationUN Compilation:
Para 8) Although the Government did not support universal periodic review recommendations associated with LGBTQI rights, Saint Kitts and Nevis has shown some openness to dialogue on the issue.
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State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:PortugalPortugalRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUOEIIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:37th Session, January 2021Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Ratify additional international human rights instruments, in particular the ICCPR and the ICESCR.ExplanationNoted. -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:SpainSpainRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUOEIIssue:
- Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
- Rights of same-sex desiring persons
Type:RecommendationSession:37th Session, January 2021Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Decriminalize consensual sexual relations between persons of the same sex.ExplanationNoted. -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:FranceFranceRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUOIFIssue:
- Abortion
- Marital rape
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Sexual and / or reproductive rights and / or health broadly
Type:RecommendationSession:37th Session, January 2021Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Guarantee sexual and reproductive health and rights by allowing unconditional abortion and by addressing gender-based violence more effectively, including criminalizing marital rape.ExplanationNoted. -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:BotswanaBotswanaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:37th Session, January 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Ratify the OPs to the CRC. -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Marshall IslandsMarshall IslandsRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupPIFIssue:
- Women's and / or girls' rights
- Women's participation
Type:RecommendationSession:37th Session, January 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Increase the number of women in decision making roles, especially in public and political life. -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:MauritiusMauritiusRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOIFCommonwealthIssue:
- Sexual abuse
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
Type:RecommendationSession:37th Session, January 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Strengthen laws to combat sexual abuse against children and gender-based violence. -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:National ReportIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:Review DocumentationSession:10th session, February 2011Status:N/AContents:"During the national consultation, there was a call for the Government to ratify the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities as a demonstration of its commitment to persons with disabilities and a call for the revision of building codes to meet international standards as well as for the introduction of national legislation to safeguard the rights of
persons with disabilities. [Para 87]" -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:UN CompilationIssue:
- Discrimination based on sexual orientation
- Discrimination based on gender identity
- Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
Type:Review DocumentationSession:37th Session, January 2021Status:Reference AddressedContents:The United Nations subregional team recommended decriminalizing consensual sexual activity between persons of the same sex and working with civil society organizations and international partners to raise public awareness around topics of non-discrimination and inclusiveness. [Para 8]
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State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:EcuadorEcuadorRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASOEIIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:10th session, February 2011Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Undertake the necessary efforts to ratify CRPD and, in so doing, take a holistic approach.ExplanationWith regard to ratification of human rights instruments, the delegation indicated that Saint Kitts and Nevis had approached the consideration of the recommendations in a realistic manner, committing only to those actions that were within its ability and competence to implement and maintain. The delegation also stated that Saint Kitts and Nevis could not commit, in the short term, to signing and ratifying new treaties without undertaking a meticulous assessment of the resources essential to fulfilling its obligations under them.
The work on this aspect of the human rights framework had already commenced. As a part of this process, the Special Committee on Conventions and Treaties would consider these matters and make recommendations to the Cabinet. Notwithstanding that Saint Kitts and Nevis was not yet a Party to all of the instruments, it continued to adopt best practices, and remained committed to the ideals of the Conventions.ImplementationNational 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 -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:MaldivesMaldivesRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupOICCommonwealthIssue:
- Domestic violence
Type:RecommendationSession:10th session, February 2011Status:AcceptedContents:With support from the international community, draft legislative bills on domestic violence ...ImplementationNational Report:
Para 92) The Domestic Violence Act 2014 enabled the Government through the Department of Gender Affairs to heighten awareness relating to teenage pregnancy, sexual education and violence against women and children.
Para 93) This legislation against child abuse, domestic violence classifies sexual violence, rape and incest as serious offences and establish appropriate penalties for the perpetrators, including relatives of the victim.
Para 94) The Domestic Violence Act 2014 further enabled the Government to adopt policies and legislation to combat discrimination and violence against women and children, particularly domestic and sexual violence.
UN Compilation:
Para 20) The subregional team noted that the Government was currently debating an amended Domestic Violence Bill 2014, which had had a second reading before Parliament, but that its adoption was still pending.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 28) JS2 stated that in August 2014 the government had sought to amend the Domestic Act now retitled "The Domestic Violence Bill" (2014) which was still in draft form, and mentioned that one of the key provisions of this bill was the promotion of economic independence for victims in abusive relationships. -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:UN CompilationIssue:
- Gender perspective in policies, programmes
Type:Review DocumentationSession:23rd session, November 2015Status:NeglectedContents:OECS encouraged Saint Kitts and Nevis to adopt a child- and gender-responsive approach in the targeting and delivery of social safety net programmes. It recommended that the State consider undertaking a beneficiary analysis of its social safety net programmes, including the "Mould, empower, nurture and direct" programme, from a gender equality and child's rights perspective, in order to ensure that service was targeted and delivered to the most vulnerable. [Para 38] -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthIssue:
- International human rights instruments
- Gender equality
Type:RecommendationSession:23rd session, November 2015Status:AcceptedContents:Prepare and submit, with the assistance of OHCHR, if required, all overdue reports to the CEDAW, CRC, ...ExplanationThe Department of Gender Affairs has employed an executive officer and clerk whose duties include regular data collection and assisting with the development of reports. The executive officer will be trained in reporting on International Conventions in May 2016.
The Report on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is being reviewed within the Ministry of Community Development, Gender Affairs and Social Services. It is envisaged that it will be resubmitted at the end of March 2016.
ImplementationNational Report:
Para 11) … The National CEDAW Report was submitted in 2020 and contains an extensive description of the programmes and initiatives that the government has undertaken in fulfillment of the provisions contained in CEDAW.
Para 17) In an effort to fulfill our international obligations, Saint Kitts and Nevis received support from UNWOMEN during the preparation of its report on the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). These reports were then approved by the government in 2019 and submitted in January and February 2020, respectively.
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State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:PortugalPortugalRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUOEIIssue:
- Marital rape
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Sexual violence
- Domestic violence
Type:RecommendationSession:23rd session, November 2015Status:AcceptedContents:Address the issue of marital rape by including the necessary provisions in domestic law. -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:SloveniaSloveniaRegional groupEEGPolitical groupEUIssue:
- Sexual exploitation / slavery
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:23rd session, November 2015Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Ratify or accede to the remaining existing international human rights treaties, especially the ... OP-CRC-SC, ICCPR ...ExplanationIt cannot be overly emphasized how firmly committed we are to adhering to international standards in relation to human rights. It must be reiterated that lack of adequate resources, both human and financial, often stymies responses deemed to be necessary by the international community.ImplementationNational 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.
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State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:BrazilBrazilRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASOEIIssue:
- Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
Type:RecommendationSession:23rd session, November 2015Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Take the necessary measures to decriminalize same-sex consensual relations.ExplanationNoted.ImplementationUN Compilation:
Para 8) Although the Government did not support universal periodic review recommendations associated with LGBTQI rights, Saint Kitts and Nevis has shown some openness to dialogue on the issue.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 9) JAI reiterated that international human rights law customarily protected the right to privacy and the right to be protected against arbitrary and unlawful attacks on or interference with one’s private and family life. One’s reputation or dignity are also protected. International human rights law further establishes that matters of sexual orientation and gender identity are protected by the right to privacy and the right to be protected against arbitrary and unlawful interference with, or attacks on, one’s private and family life and one’s reputation or dignity. By criminalizing same-sex activity in the penal code, Saint Kitts and Nevis violates these international obligations. Saint Kitts and Nevis are also members states to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which strives to increase human rights protections in the region.
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State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Discrimination based on sexual orientation
- Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
Type:Review DocumentationSession:23rd session, November 2015Status:NeglectedContents:JS2 recommended that Saint Kitts and Nevis implement a policy moratorium on prosecutions of consensual same sex relations. [Para 13] -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:CanadaCanadaRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupOASOIFCommonwealthIssue:
- Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
Type:RecommendationSession:10th session, February 2011Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Bring its legislation into conformity with its commitment to equality and non-discrimination, by repealing all legal provisions that criminalize sexual activity between consenting adults.ExplanationAs for discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, the delegation indicated that Chapter II of its Constitution prohibited discrimination against any person on the grounds of race, tribe, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, and, as such, any person who was of the view that his or her rights had been violated could, at any time, seek redress before the Court. Moreover, there were no challenges to any existing legislation before its courts on the grounds of sexual discrimination. Should any legislation be challenged on such grounds, and if held to be unconstitutional by the Court, the Government would have to be guided by such a ruling.
The delegation emphasized that the Government regarded seriously its commitment to protect all members of society from discrimination regardless of sexual orientation. Notwithstanding the above, the State believed that this was an important issue and would continue to engage the public through a consultative process.ImplementationUN Compilation:
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. -
State Under Review:Saint Kitts & NevisSaint Kitts & NevisRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthSource Of Reference:FranceFranceRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUOIFIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:37th Session, January 2021Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Ratify the ICCPR and its optional protocol,....ExplanationNoted.