Dominica’s human rights record is to be examined by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group on Thursday, November 7, 2024, in Geneva. The island is one of 14 states to be placed under the microscope by the UPR Working Group in its session which begins on November 4 and ends on the 15.
This is the fourth time Dominica’s human rights record will be reviewed by the UPR. The first, second, and third reviews took place in December 2009, May 2014, and May 2019, respectively. The reports from the three reviews will serve as a basis for the fourth upcoming one.
The UPR Working Group is comprised of the 47 Member States of the Human Rights Council. However, according to the UN, each of the 193 UN Member States can participate in a country’s review.
The UN said that the review will be based on the following documents: 1) national report -information provided by the State under review; 2) information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the special procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities; 3) information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations, and civil society groups.
Dominica’s records will be reviewed by representatives serving as rapporteurs from Brazil, Kuwait, and Somalia.
In the introduction of the report for review by the Human Rights Council, the Government of Dominica said the island “remains steadfast in its commitment to respect, protect and fulfill human rights of all individuals within in its territory and under its jurisdiction, and to uphold its international human rights obligations, including participation in the UPR of the Human Rights Council.”
It pointed to two general elections which were held in Dominica on December 6, 2019 and December 6, 2022, “resulting in adjustments to ministerial portfolios and policy direction.”
The second general election, which was a snap one held two years ahead of the constitutionally mandated, was held, according to the government, “due to significant national and global challenges, and with a view to renew the mandate of the Government of Dominica.”
The 20-page report mentioned the appointment and swearing-in of Sylvanie Burton as the eighth President of Dominica, saying it is of “historic significance” because “she is the first woman and indigenous person to assume the role.”
It said in the period under review, Dominica has suffered “significant challenges” by the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017, the COVID pandemic in 2020, and torrential rainfall which caused damaging floods in the south-east in 2022.
“Despite these challenges, the Government of Dominica remained resolute in upholding human rights in its response and developmental initiatives,” the report said.
To read the full report from the Government of Dominica, for the review click on this link:
https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/g24/147/60/pdf/g2414760.pdf
A compilation of information prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which will also be reviewed on Thursday, said that the Human Rights Committee “welcomed the ratification of or accession to several international human rights instruments by Dominica.”
However, according to it, Dominica has not yet ratified “the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, and the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.”
The compilation mentioned several issues of concern by the Human Rights Committee.
One has to do with “the absence of an independent body compliant with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles), and that the position of Parliamentary Commissioner remained unfilled.”
“It recommended that Dominica promptly establish a national human rights institution for the promotion and protection of human rights, in line with the Paris Principles, and take action to ensure the fulfillment of the role of the Parliamentary Commissioner without delay and ensure that the mandate was performed effectively,” it said.
Another matter of note is the freedom of assembly and expression in Dominica, which according to the compilation is guaranteed under the island’s Constitution.
“However, protests would sometimes become violent, or give way to looting or acts of vandalism, and political opponents to the Government had been charged with incitement and obstruction,” it said.
It went on to say that the Human Rights Committee has expressed concerns that in relation to peaceful assembly, “Dominica had a system that required prior authorization and that there were reports that assemblies related to the activities of opposition parties had been denied permission to assemble peacefully.”
To read the full compilation by the Human Rights Committee on Dominica to be reviewed, click on this link:
https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/g24/138/97/pdf/g2413897.pdf
Vince Henderson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy will be leading Dominica’s delegation to the review.
If they can look at Dominica for human rights violations, then it’s about gay. These are the same puppets of the U S agenda that wants us to hate polygamy but forcing us to accept homoxuality. Our government must stand its ground and refuse their dirty tricks they play in exchange for “aid” and loose our sovereignty in the process. We already CAN’T FEED OURSELVES, Stand up Skeritt, stand up or stand down!
Formalities like deja vu, just like the pope did a review, and the resulting ah.. blessing, so will this one. There’s no other reason to hold this on behalf of the west. Skeritt needs to stand strong.
HA!!!
UN will stay there still.. Allu think Skerrit will give freedom of information act in DA? Allu think Skerrit will give up his master mentality and allow “at most, require advance notification of a peaceful assembly.”
Nothing will change in the country unless DOMINICANS DEMAND change from their dictator. Take a page from Romania in 1989 – TAKE YOUR COUNTRY BACK!!
The wolrd is laughing at us – as they should for all the backwardness being allowed!