St. Kitts and nevis - Universal Periodic Review

UPR 37, January 19, 2021
Recommendations by Canada

Background

St. Kitts and Nevis is a multi-party, parliamentary democracy. Among the most serious human rights issues are violence against women and girls; child abuse; the criminalization of consensual same-sex sexual activity; discrimination against vulnerable groups such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit and intersex persons (LGBTQ2I); poor prison conditions; and capital punishment.

While women play an active role in public life, violence against women is a serious and often underreported problem. Kittitian law prohibits rape but does not address spousal rape. Child abuse remains a problem: in 2020, neglect and sexual abuse were the most reported forms of child abuse with most victims being female. While there are no reports of the government enforcing this law, St. Kitts and Nevis criminalizes consensual same-sex relations, which can carry a penalty of up to ten years in prison. LGBTQ2I activists have reported increased discrimination.

Prisons are over capacity and do not meet basic standards. The current prison population stands at 181 persons with a capacity for 160 inmates. Capital punishment remains legal for aggravated murder and treason. St. Kitts and Nevis voted against the United Nations moratorium on the death penalty in 2018, and rejected all recommendations related to capital punishment and torture at its last UPR.

Recommendations

Thank you, Madam President.

Canada welcomes the delegation of St. Kitts and Nevis, and the country’s progress since the last review cycle. In particular, Canada commends efforts taken to amend the Protection of Employment Act to include a prohibition against sexual harassment in the workplace.

Canada recommends that St. Kitts and Nevis:

1. Implements proactive and vigilant measures to protect the rights of women and children.
2. Decriminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations.
3. Take concrete measures to significantly reduce overcrowding in the prison.
4. Abolish the death penalty.

We would further encourage St. Kitts and Nevis to foster opportunities for greater representation of women in elected office.