Guyana - Universal Periodic Review

UPR 35, January 29, 2019
Recommendations by Canada  

Background

According to UPR Info, a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) that tracks the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, in the first two cycles of the UPR Guyana received 268 recommendations, of which 161 were accepted (an acceptance rate of 60%). Canada’s previous recommendations to Guyana were related to training and building capacity to address domestic violence, and ensure that victims of abuse access immediate protection, to decriminalize homosexuality and to end corporal punishment.

Guyana has taken important steps since its last UPR to implement measures to protect and promote human rights. Guyana has taken steps to eliminate discrimination against women and to promote gender equality by developing a National Gender and Social Inclusion Policy and a Strategic Plan for Women’s and Gender Development in 2018.

Although Guyana has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, important challenges remain. Violence against women remains prevalent; the first comprehensive national survey on gender-based violence in Guyana revealed that more than half of all women experienced at least one form of violence at the hands of their partner. In addition, there have not been changes to legislation nor policy measures to legalize sexual practices between same sex consenting adults and adopt the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ) ruling that Guyana’s law against cross-dressing is unconstitutional.

Another challenge is that Guyana remains both a source and destination of human trafficking. Guyana is implementing a national call of action for the prevention of trafficking persons and opening safe houses for victims. The judiciary and law enforcement require increased capacity by investing and developing gender-sensitive protocols to help identify victims, particularly with the recent influx of Venezuelan migrants to hinterland regions.  

Guyana has legislative measures in place to protect and promote human rights; however, enhanced efforts are required to implement the existing Anti-Discrimination Act (1997) to eliminate discrimination based on ethnicity, and to strengthen mechanisms to investigate instances of discrimination.

Canada’s Intervention

Thank you, Mr. President.

Canada welcomes the positive steps that Guyana has taken to eliminate discrimination against women and to promote gender equality by developing a National Gender and Social inclusion policy in 2018.

Canada recommends that Guyana:

1. Expand essential services for victims of gender-based violence including the establishment of additional shelters and crisis centres to protect victims.
2. Repeal legislation criminalizing consensual same-sex practices between adults and implement the 2018 ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice regarding the unconstitutionality of the law banning cross-dressing.
3. Build capacity of the judiciary, law enforcement, border police and social workers regarding gender-sensitive protocols to identify and support victims of human trafficking.
4. Enhance efforts to implement existing anti-discrimination legislation, particularly discrimination based on ethnicity, and strengthen mechanisms to investigate instances of discrimination.

Canada recognizes that Guyana has legislative measures in place to protect and promote human rights. Canada encourages the Government to enhance the protection of fundamental human rights of minorities by strengthening access to justice and employment opportunities for LGBTI communities.