Barbados – Universal Periodic Review

Session reviewed: 43rd session of the Universal Periodic Review

Date reviewed: May 5, 2023

Canada commends Barbados for the positive steps taken by its High Court to rule several colonial-era laws as unconstitutional. Canada welcomes recent judgements to decriminalize consensual same-sex relations by striking the laws against buggery and gross indecency from the Sexual Offences Act and to protect vulnerable youth by declaring sections of the Reformatory and Industrial Schools Act discriminatory. Canada recognizes the human rights defenders whose advocacy contributed to both rulings.

Canada recommends that Barbados:

• Increase efforts to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity through the current constitutional reform process and other legislative reform as well as public awareness-raising measures.
• Accelerate efforts to reduce pre-trial detention delays.
• Take further steps to protect children, including prohibiting corporal punishment.