| DOMINICA Commonwealth of Dominica Commonwealth of Dominica Joined United Nations: 18 December 1978 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 05/04/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Roseau
72,660 (July 2009 est.)
Nicholas J.O. Liverpool
President since 1 October 2003
President since 1 October 2003
President elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year
term; election last held 1 October 2003; NOTE- consented to a
second term in 2008 at the request of the prime minister and
leader of the opposition
Next scheduled election: October 2013
term; election last held 1 October 2003; NOTE- consented to a
second term in 2008 at the request of the prime minister and
leader of the opposition
Next scheduled election: October 2013
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Roosevelt Skerrit
Prime Minister since 8 January 2004
note - assumed post after death of Prime
Minister Pierre Charles
Prime Minister since 8 January 2004
note - assumed post after death of Prime
Minister Pierre Charles
Prime minister appointed by the president
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Black 86.8%, mixed 8.9%, Carib Amerindian 2.9%, white 0.8%, other 0.7% (2001 census)
| RELIGIONS |
Roman Catholic 61.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 6%, Pentecostal 5.6%, Baptist 4.1%, Methodist 3.7%, Church of
God 1.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.2%, other Christian 7.7%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other or unspecified 1.6%, none
6.1% (2001 census)
God 1.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.2%, other Christian 7.7%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other or unspecified 1.6%, none
6.1% (2001 census)
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Parliamentary democracy with 10 parishes; Legal system is based on English common law ; does not accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 1 October 2003 (next to be
held October 2008); Note- consented to a second term in 2008 at the request of the prime minister and leader of the
opposition prime minister appointed by the president
Legislative: Unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats, 9 appointed senators, 21 elected by popular vote; members
serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 5 May 2005 (next to be held by 5 August 2010); note - tradition dictates that the election will be
held within five years of the last election, but technically it is five years from the first seating of parliament (12 May
2005) plus a 90-day grace period
Judicial: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal and the High Court (located in Saint
Lucia; one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction)
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 1 October 2003 (next to be
held October 2008); Note- consented to a second term in 2008 at the request of the prime minister and leader of the
opposition prime minister appointed by the president
Legislative: Unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats, 9 appointed senators, 21 elected by popular vote; members
serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 5 May 2005 (next to be held by 5 August 2010); note - tradition dictates that the election will be
held within five years of the last election, but technically it is five years from the first seating of parliament (12 May
2005) plus a 90-day grace period
Judicial: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal and the High Court (located in Saint
Lucia; one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction)
| LANGUAGES |
English (official), French patois
| BRIEF HISTORY |
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
The Dominican economy has been dependent on agriculture - primarily bananas - in years past, but increasingly has
been driven by tourism as the government seeks to promote Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination. In order to
diversify the island's production base, the government also is attempting to develop an offshore financial sector and
has signed an agreement with the EU to develop geothermal energy resources. In 2003, the government began a
comprehensive restructuring of the economy - including elimination of price controls, privatization of the state banana
company, and tax increases - to address an economic and financial crisis and to meet IMF requirements. This
restructuring paved the way for an economic recovery - real growth for 2006 reached a two-decade high - and
helped to reduce the debt burden, which remains at about 85% of GDP. Hurricane Dean struck the island in August
2007 causing damages equivalent to 20% of GDP. In 2009, growth slowed as a result of the global recession and is
projected to pick up only slightly in 2010.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Dominica)
been driven by tourism as the government seeks to promote Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination. In order to
diversify the island's production base, the government also is attempting to develop an offshore financial sector and
has signed an agreement with the EU to develop geothermal energy resources. In 2003, the government began a
comprehensive restructuring of the economy - including elimination of price controls, privatization of the state banana
company, and tax increases - to address an economic and financial crisis and to meet IMF requirements. This
restructuring paved the way for an economic recovery - real growth for 2006 reached a two-decade high - and
helped to reduce the debt burden, which remains at about 85% of GDP. Hurricane Dean struck the island in August
2007 causing damages equivalent to 20% of GDP. In 2009, growth slowed as a result of the global recession and is
projected to pick up only slightly in 2010.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Dominica)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
The House of Assembly has 32 members. 21 members are elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies.
9 members are senators appointed by the President; 5 on the advice of the Prime Minister and 4 on the advice of the
leader of the opposition. A Speaker is elected by the elected members after an election. There is also 1 ex-officio
member, the clerk of the house. The head of state - the president - is elected by the House of Assembly and is
composed of 21 regional representatives and nine senators. The regional representatives decide whether senators are
to be elected or appointed. If appointed, five are chosen by the president with the advice of the prime minister and
four with the advice of the opposition leader. If elected, it is by vote of the regional representatives. Elections for
representatives and senators must be held at least every 5 years, although the prime minister can call elections any
time. Dominica has a two-party system, which means that there are two dominant political parties, with extreme
difficulty for anybody to achieve electoral success under the banner of any other party. Dominica was once a
three-party system, but in the past few years the Dominica Labour Party and the greatly diminished Dominica
Freedom Party have built a coalition.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Dominica
9 members are senators appointed by the President; 5 on the advice of the Prime Minister and 4 on the advice of the
leader of the opposition. A Speaker is elected by the elected members after an election. There is also 1 ex-officio
member, the clerk of the house. The head of state - the president - is elected by the House of Assembly and is
composed of 21 regional representatives and nine senators. The regional representatives decide whether senators are
to be elected or appointed. If appointed, five are chosen by the president with the advice of the prime minister and
four with the advice of the opposition leader. If elected, it is by vote of the regional representatives. Elections for
representatives and senators must be held at least every 5 years, although the prime minister can call elections any
time. Dominica has a two-party system, which means that there are two dominant political parties, with extreme
difficulty for anybody to achieve electoral success under the banner of any other party. Dominica was once a
three-party system, but in the past few years the Dominica Labour Party and the greatly diminished Dominica
Freedom Party have built a coalition.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Dominica
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
Dominica is the only Caribbean state to challenge Venezuela's sovereignty claim over Aves Island and joins the other
island nations in challenging whether the feature sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and
continental shelf claims over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
island nations in challenging whether the feature sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and
continental shelf claims over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDP) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor cannabis producer (2008)
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: Dominica
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Dominica is a multiparty, parliamentary democracy with a population of approximately 72,500. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit's
Dominica Labour Party (DLP) prevailed over the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) by a margin of 18 seats to 3 seats in
elections on December 18. Although outside observers found the elections generally free and fair, the opposition boycotted
Parliament over alleged electoral abuses. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there were problems in a few areas, primarily:
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Dominica is a multiparty, parliamentary democracy with a population of approximately 72,500. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit's
Dominica Labour Party (DLP) prevailed over the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) by a margin of 18 seats to 3 seats in
elections on December 18. Although outside observers found the elections generally free and fair, the opposition boycotted
Parliament over alleged electoral abuses. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there were problems in a few areas, primarily:
- poor prison conditions,
- corruption,
- domestic violence against women and children,
- adverse conditions experienced by indigenous Kalinago (Carib).
26 January 2009
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Forty-third session
19 January-6 February 2009
Concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Dominica
1. The Committee considered the progress made in the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women in Dominica in the absence of an initial and subsequent periodic reports at its 869th and 870th
meetings, on 21 January 2009. In the absence of a report and in the absence of responses to the Committee’s list of issues and
questions and taking into account all information available, the Committee adopted, during its forty-third session, the following
comments based on the dialogue with the representatives of the State party.
2. At its thirty-seventh session, in 2007, the Committee invited the State party to submit a report before March 2008, failing which
it would proceed with the consideration of the implementation of the Convention in the absence of the State party’s report. The
Committee notes with concern the State party’s failure to honour its reporting obligations under article 18 of the Convention, and
that no report had been submitted to the Committee since 1982, when its initial report was due.
3. The Committee expresses its appreciation for the constructive dialogue that was held between the Committee and the delegation
of the State party, represented by Alix Boyd-Knights, speaker of the House of Assembly, and Ruth Allport, Permanent Secretary of
the Ministry of Community Development, Culture, Gender Affairs and Information, which clarified the present status of
implementation of the Convention and provided some information on the State party’s non-compliance with its reporting obligation.
4. The Committee wishes to draw the attention of the State party to the fact that reporting is an obligation under article 18 of the
Convention and that non-compliance in this regard creates serious obstacles to the effective monitoring of the implementation of the
Convention at the national level..
Click here to read more »
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Forty-third session
19 January-6 February 2009
Concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Dominica
1. The Committee considered the progress made in the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women in Dominica in the absence of an initial and subsequent periodic reports at its 869th and 870th
meetings, on 21 January 2009. In the absence of a report and in the absence of responses to the Committee’s list of issues and
questions and taking into account all information available, the Committee adopted, during its forty-third session, the following
comments based on the dialogue with the representatives of the State party.
2. At its thirty-seventh session, in 2007, the Committee invited the State party to submit a report before March 2008, failing which
it would proceed with the consideration of the implementation of the Convention in the absence of the State party’s report. The
Committee notes with concern the State party’s failure to honour its reporting obligations under article 18 of the Convention, and
that no report had been submitted to the Committee since 1982, when its initial report was due.
3. The Committee expresses its appreciation for the constructive dialogue that was held between the Committee and the delegation
of the State party, represented by Alix Boyd-Knights, speaker of the House of Assembly, and Ruth Allport, Permanent Secretary of
the Ministry of Community Development, Culture, Gender Affairs and Information, which clarified the present status of
implementation of the Convention and provided some information on the State party’s non-compliance with its reporting obligation.
4. The Committee wishes to draw the attention of the State party to the fact that reporting is an obligation under article 18 of the
Convention and that non-compliance in this regard creates serious obstacles to the effective monitoring of the implementation of the
Convention at the national level..
Click here to read more »
FREEDOM IN THE WORLD REPORT- 2010
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free
Overview
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of the Dominica Labour Party was elected to a second five-year term in December 2009; his party
received 60 percent of the vote and 18 of 21 seats in parliament. Still, strong outcry from the opposition over alleged government
corruption and electoral fraud undermined the prime minister’s chances of ending the political polarization that plagued his last term.
Skerrit and the DLP secured 12 seats in the 2005 elections, ensuring a majority even without the support of the DFP. Former prime
minister Edison James, leader of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), initially accepted the results but later claimed that
five of the DLP seats were obtained through fraud. Meanwhile, the DFP struggled to remain relevant and was not represented in
the parliament.
In May 2009, Skerrit was forced to contend with the so-called “rubbish bin scandal,” which exploded into a national controversy
when opposition UWP spokesman Edison James accused the government of importing 2,700 garbage bins from Pennsylvania at an
unusually high cost of $102.19 per bin, more than four times their average retail price. Skerrit attempted to deflect opposition
claims that the high price reflected government corruption and lack of transparency, but then failed to deliver a promised refund.
The incident dealt a significant blow to Skerrit’s public image in the run-up to December elections.
In December, Skerrit and his DLP won both the popular vote (with 60 percent) and the majority of seats in the House of Assembly
(18 of 21). Elections were deemed free and fair by observer teams from both the Organization of American States and a
CARICOM mission, despite objections from opposition leaders. News agencies reported that the DLP had spent over $8 million on
its campaign, and opposition candidates claimed that some of this money was spent on airline tickets for DLP supporters living
abroad to return to the island to vote. Despite these allegations and others involving unfair access to television advertising, the
reelection of Skerrit has been recognized worldwide.
Dominica is an electoral democracy. The government is headed by a prime minister, and the unicameral House of Assembly
consists of 30 members serving five-year terms. Twenty-one members are elected, and nine senators are appointed—five by the
prime minister and four by the opposition leader. The president is elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; the prime
minister is appointed by the president.
The three main political parties are the ruling DLP, the opposition UWP, and the once-robust DFP, which ruled from 1980 to 1995
but no longer has a seat in the parliament.
Click here to read more »
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free
Overview
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of the Dominica Labour Party was elected to a second five-year term in December 2009; his party
received 60 percent of the vote and 18 of 21 seats in parliament. Still, strong outcry from the opposition over alleged government
corruption and electoral fraud undermined the prime minister’s chances of ending the political polarization that plagued his last term.
Skerrit and the DLP secured 12 seats in the 2005 elections, ensuring a majority even without the support of the DFP. Former prime
minister Edison James, leader of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), initially accepted the results but later claimed that
five of the DLP seats were obtained through fraud. Meanwhile, the DFP struggled to remain relevant and was not represented in
the parliament.
In May 2009, Skerrit was forced to contend with the so-called “rubbish bin scandal,” which exploded into a national controversy
when opposition UWP spokesman Edison James accused the government of importing 2,700 garbage bins from Pennsylvania at an
unusually high cost of $102.19 per bin, more than four times their average retail price. Skerrit attempted to deflect opposition
claims that the high price reflected government corruption and lack of transparency, but then failed to deliver a promised refund.
The incident dealt a significant blow to Skerrit’s public image in the run-up to December elections.
In December, Skerrit and his DLP won both the popular vote (with 60 percent) and the majority of seats in the House of Assembly
(18 of 21). Elections were deemed free and fair by observer teams from both the Organization of American States and a
CARICOM mission, despite objections from opposition leaders. News agencies reported that the DLP had spent over $8 million on
its campaign, and opposition candidates claimed that some of this money was spent on airline tickets for DLP supporters living
abroad to return to the island to vote. Despite these allegations and others involving unfair access to television advertising, the
reelection of Skerrit has been recognized worldwide.
Dominica is an electoral democracy. The government is headed by a prime minister, and the unicameral House of Assembly
consists of 30 members serving five-year terms. Twenty-one members are elected, and nine senators are appointed—five by the
prime minister and four by the opposition leader. The president is elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; the prime
minister is appointed by the president.
The three main political parties are the ruling DLP, the opposition UWP, and the once-robust DFP, which ruled from 1980 to 1995
but no longer has a seat in the parliament.
Click here to read more »
Summit of the Americas fails to address human rights
20 April 2009
The fifth Summit of the Americas has failed to recognize that human rights must be placed at the centre of efforts to confront the
many fundamental challenges facing the region.
Governments from every country in the Americas, except for Cuba, took part in the four-yearly meeting held in Port of Spain,
Trinidad and Tobago, between 17 and 19 April.
The 34 heads of state and government discussed the Summit's three principal themes: human prosperity, energy security and
environmental sustainability.
The Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain was adopted by consensus at the close of the Summit on 19 April. Based on the
three themes, the Declaration fails to lay out a clear human rights framework for progress in these areas.
A number of governments, including Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Honduras, indicated that they were not prepared to formally
sign the Declaration. Leaders agreed to instead adopt it by consensus and have Trinidadian Prime Minister Manning sign on behalf
of all leaders.
The governments that had registered objections did not feel that the Declaration deals adequately with the current global economic
crisis. They also wanted to see strong references to the issue of Cuba's reintegration into Organization of American States (OAS)
and the lifting of the US embargo against Cuba.
Amnesty International delegates at the Summit urged the governments of the region to make a firm commitment to ensuring that all
measures taken in response to the current global economic crisis fully conform to their human rights obligations. But the
recognition in the Declaration of the responsibility governments have to address the crisis does not acknowledge human rights at all.
"At a time of global economic turmoil and with a new spirit of compromise in the air between the government of US President
Barrack Obama and other governments in the Americas this Summit offered an unparalleled opportunity to lay out a strong human
rights vision for the Americas," said Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, who was part of the Amnesty
International delegation at the Summit. "Instead, human rights have once again been pushed to the back."
Amnesty International had made a number of recommendations as to ways in which an earlier draft of the Declaration needed to be
strengthened with regard to human rights. The organization said it was disappointed that there were no such improvements in the
final Declaration.
Click here to read more »
20 April 2009
The fifth Summit of the Americas has failed to recognize that human rights must be placed at the centre of efforts to confront the
many fundamental challenges facing the region.
Governments from every country in the Americas, except for Cuba, took part in the four-yearly meeting held in Port of Spain,
Trinidad and Tobago, between 17 and 19 April.
The 34 heads of state and government discussed the Summit's three principal themes: human prosperity, energy security and
environmental sustainability.
The Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain was adopted by consensus at the close of the Summit on 19 April. Based on the
three themes, the Declaration fails to lay out a clear human rights framework for progress in these areas.
A number of governments, including Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Honduras, indicated that they were not prepared to formally
sign the Declaration. Leaders agreed to instead adopt it by consensus and have Trinidadian Prime Minister Manning sign on behalf
of all leaders.
The governments that had registered objections did not feel that the Declaration deals adequately with the current global economic
crisis. They also wanted to see strong references to the issue of Cuba's reintegration into Organization of American States (OAS)
and the lifting of the US embargo against Cuba.
Amnesty International delegates at the Summit urged the governments of the region to make a firm commitment to ensuring that all
measures taken in response to the current global economic crisis fully conform to their human rights obligations. But the
recognition in the Declaration of the responsibility governments have to address the crisis does not acknowledge human rights at all.
"At a time of global economic turmoil and with a new spirit of compromise in the air between the government of US President
Barrack Obama and other governments in the Americas this Summit offered an unparalleled opportunity to lay out a strong human
rights vision for the Americas," said Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, who was part of the Amnesty
International delegation at the Summit. "Instead, human rights have once again been pushed to the back."
Amnesty International had made a number of recommendations as to ways in which an earlier draft of the Declaration needed to be
strengthened with regard to human rights. The organization said it was disappointed that there were no such improvements in the
final Declaration.
Click here to read more »
Dominica
Child Soldier Global Report 2001
From the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
Grenada, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Saint Vincent and Grenadine and Saint Kitts and Nevis have police forces only, although some
paramilitary training is provided for special units. The police are generally organised and supervised according to British law
enforcement practices. None of these Caribbean states has a system of conscription into security forces and, therefore, recruitment
is on a voluntary basis only.
June 12, 2001 Multi Country Report
Dominica: Landmine Monitor Report 2000
Dominica signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997 and ratified on 26 March 1999. The treaty entered into force for
Dominica on 1 September 1999. It is not believed to have enacted domestic implementing legislation. Dominica has not yet
submitted its Article 7 transparency report, due 27 February 2000, but according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the report has
been prepared and will be sent to the UN pending final approval by the Permanent Secretary.151 Dominica was not present at the
First Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in Maputo in May 1999 and has not participated in the intersessional
meetings of the ban treaty. It voted in favor of the December 1999 UN General Assembly resolution supporting the Mine Ban
Treaty. Dominica is not believed to have ever produced, stockpiled, transferred or used AP mines. It is not mine-affected.
August 1, 2000 Multi Country Report
Click here to read more »
Child Soldier Global Report 2001
From the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
Grenada, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Saint Vincent and Grenadine and Saint Kitts and Nevis have police forces only, although some
paramilitary training is provided for special units. The police are generally organised and supervised according to British law
enforcement practices. None of these Caribbean states has a system of conscription into security forces and, therefore, recruitment
is on a voluntary basis only.
June 12, 2001 Multi Country Report
Dominica: Landmine Monitor Report 2000
Dominica signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997 and ratified on 26 March 1999. The treaty entered into force for
Dominica on 1 September 1999. It is not believed to have enacted domestic implementing legislation. Dominica has not yet
submitted its Article 7 transparency report, due 27 February 2000, but according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the report has
been prepared and will be sent to the UN pending final approval by the Permanent Secretary.151 Dominica was not present at the
First Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in Maputo in May 1999 and has not participated in the intersessional
meetings of the ban treaty. It voted in favor of the December 1999 UN General Assembly resolution supporting the Mine Ban
Treaty. Dominica is not believed to have ever produced, stockpiled, transferred or used AP mines. It is not mine-affected.
August 1, 2000 Multi Country Report
Click here to read more »
Address by Hon. Gloria Shillingford on the Occasion of The 19th Anniversary of The Convention on the Rights of the Child
(CRC)
Address by Hon. Gloria Shillingford
Minister for Social Services, Community Development and Gender Affairs
On the Occasion of The 19th Anniversary of The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
March 10, 2010
Dominica on 13th March, 1991 ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). By ratification of this United Nations Treaty,
Dominica like other State Parties to the Convention, committed itself to do everything possible to ensure the survival, protection and
development of the nation’s children.
The Convention on the Right of the Child states that the State shall render appropriate assistance to parents in the performance of their
child-rearing responsibilities. Government is in fact providing assistance in a number of areas. Many parents benefit from the Public
Assistance and other programmes of the Welfare Division. One other such programme is foster care through which Government fully
supports close to a hundred children in alternative homes. Plans are well advanced to formally open a place of safety for children at
risk. The text book scheme and the school bus service of the Ministry of Education are other means whereby Government assists
parents.
Government is at present studying a number of Model Family Bills drafted by the O.E.C.S Legal Drafting Unit for enactment by
Parliament hopefully in the near future. One of these Bills is the Children (Care and Adoption Bill). That Bill makes provision for care
and protection of children and the role of parents in that regard.
I wish at this stage to salute the many local organizations involved in providing various forms of assistance to children. Those
organizations are partners in enhancing the overall status of children and by so doing assist parents in their roles and responsibilities.
At the same time the local partner organizations, through their service, enforce the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child.
Government pledges its continued commitment to the children of the state. However, parents should remind themselves that they are
the primary care givers. This, as indicated, demands a responsibility which legally expires when the child reaches adulthood.
I appeal to everyone, as Dominica marks the 19th Anniversary since the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to
join hands and hearts for the sake of our children. Child Rights is not meant to allow children to do whatever they wish; but Child
Rights is part of human rights and if properly understood is geared at the holistic development of every child. I thank you.
Click here to read more »
(CRC)
Address by Hon. Gloria Shillingford
Minister for Social Services, Community Development and Gender Affairs
On the Occasion of The 19th Anniversary of The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
March 10, 2010
Dominica on 13th March, 1991 ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). By ratification of this United Nations Treaty,
Dominica like other State Parties to the Convention, committed itself to do everything possible to ensure the survival, protection and
development of the nation’s children.
The Convention on the Right of the Child states that the State shall render appropriate assistance to parents in the performance of their
child-rearing responsibilities. Government is in fact providing assistance in a number of areas. Many parents benefit from the Public
Assistance and other programmes of the Welfare Division. One other such programme is foster care through which Government fully
supports close to a hundred children in alternative homes. Plans are well advanced to formally open a place of safety for children at
risk. The text book scheme and the school bus service of the Ministry of Education are other means whereby Government assists
parents.
Government is at present studying a number of Model Family Bills drafted by the O.E.C.S Legal Drafting Unit for enactment by
Parliament hopefully in the near future. One of these Bills is the Children (Care and Adoption Bill). That Bill makes provision for care
and protection of children and the role of parents in that regard.
I wish at this stage to salute the many local organizations involved in providing various forms of assistance to children. Those
organizations are partners in enhancing the overall status of children and by so doing assist parents in their roles and responsibilities.
At the same time the local partner organizations, through their service, enforce the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child.
Government pledges its continued commitment to the children of the state. However, parents should remind themselves that they are
the primary care givers. This, as indicated, demands a responsibility which legally expires when the child reaches adulthood.
I appeal to everyone, as Dominica marks the 19th Anniversary since the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to
join hands and hearts for the sake of our children. Child Rights is not meant to allow children to do whatever they wish; but Child
Rights is part of human rights and if properly understood is geared at the holistic development of every child. I thank you.
Click here to read more »
5/13/2009
Caribbean Indigenous Peoples to Attend UN Forum
United Nations (UCTP Taino News) – Caribbean Indigenous delegates will join over one thousand Indigenous Peoples
representatives from around the world at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII) next week. The Forum’
s eighth session will take place from 18-29 May, 2009 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Caribbean representatives to the PFII include Damon Corrie of the Eagle Clan Arawaks (Barbados & Guyana), Chief Charles and
Margaret Williams of the Kalinago Carib Nation (Dominica) as well as various delegates accredited by the United Confederation of
Taino People.
Some of the issues being focused on at the session include the Second UN International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People
and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Permanent Forum is an advisory body to the United Nations Economic and Social Council with a mandate to discuss
indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.
Click here to read more »
Caribbean Indigenous Peoples to Attend UN Forum
United Nations (UCTP Taino News) – Caribbean Indigenous delegates will join over one thousand Indigenous Peoples
representatives from around the world at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII) next week. The Forum’
s eighth session will take place from 18-29 May, 2009 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Caribbean representatives to the PFII include Damon Corrie of the Eagle Clan Arawaks (Barbados & Guyana), Chief Charles and
Margaret Williams of the Kalinago Carib Nation (Dominica) as well as various delegates accredited by the United Confederation of
Taino People.
Some of the issues being focused on at the session include the Second UN International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People
and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Permanent Forum is an advisory body to the United Nations Economic and Social Council with a mandate to discuss
indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.
Click here to read more »
DOMINICA : CEDAW Alternative Information
to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women 43rd CEDAW Session
(19 January 2009 – 6 February 2009)
Prepared by theNational Coalition of Dominican Women
Violence Against Women in Dominica
The Constitution of Dominica provides for equal and inalienable rights for all persons. The state has enacted many laws and
policies, as well as has ratified the present international treaty, all of which aim to remove discriminatory practices that prevent
women from performing to their full potential. Some examples are:
• Children and Young Persons Act Chapter 37:50
• Sexual Offences Act No. 1 of 1998,
These above instruments uphold the principles of fundamental human rights and beliefs. However, available data and information
from in-depth research on violence against women highlight an increase in violence against women and girls and a growing culture
of violence within the society.
A recent report by the Government on the health situation in Dominica revealed that injuries caused by violence were among the
three leading health issues of concern for the health ministry.. A study on Domestic Violence conducted in 2001 by the Women’s
Bureau, revealed that various forms of abuse take place between partners in relationships in all districts in Dominica, regardless of
social status and age, which affect women specifically. Thirty-one percent (31.8%) of the respondents revealed that they had
experienced some form of abuse either in a current or former relationship. Reported cases from police files, records of patients at
the hospitals, and counseling records show physical battering of women still continues. This impact of violence on women is
backed by the work experience of the Dominican National council of Women, wherein despite having an open door policy on
providing services for violence related issues, we found that in surveying our clientele for past 2 years, (2006-2008) 82% of all our
clients were women.
Click here to read more»
to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women 43rd CEDAW Session
(19 January 2009 – 6 February 2009)
Prepared by theNational Coalition of Dominican Women
Violence Against Women in Dominica
The Constitution of Dominica provides for equal and inalienable rights for all persons. The state has enacted many laws and
policies, as well as has ratified the present international treaty, all of which aim to remove discriminatory practices that prevent
women from performing to their full potential. Some examples are:
• Children and Young Persons Act Chapter 37:50
• Sexual Offences Act No. 1 of 1998,
These above instruments uphold the principles of fundamental human rights and beliefs. However, available data and information
from in-depth research on violence against women highlight an increase in violence against women and girls and a growing culture
of violence within the society.
A recent report by the Government on the health situation in Dominica revealed that injuries caused by violence were among the
three leading health issues of concern for the health ministry.. A study on Domestic Violence conducted in 2001 by the Women’s
Bureau, revealed that various forms of abuse take place between partners in relationships in all districts in Dominica, regardless of
social status and age, which affect women specifically. Thirty-one percent (31.8%) of the respondents revealed that they had
experienced some form of abuse either in a current or former relationship. Reported cases from police files, records of patients at
the hospitals, and counseling records show physical battering of women still continues. This impact of violence on women is
backed by the work experience of the Dominican National council of Women, wherein despite having an open door policy on
providing services for violence related issues, we found that in surveying our clientele for past 2 years, (2006-2008) 82% of all our
clients were women.
Click here to read more»
The island of Dominica's indigenous Arawak people were expelled or exterminated by Caribs in the 14th century.
The Arawaks were guided to Dominica, and other islands of the Caribbean, by the South Equatorial current from the
waters of the Orinoco River. These descendants of the early Tainos were overthrown by the Kalinago tribe of the
Caribs. The Caribs, or Island-Caribs, not to be confused with the proper Caribs of the mainland, occupied the
Wayward Islands, Guadeloupe, and maybe a few of the southern Leewards during the time of Christopher
Columbus who landed on the island in November 1493. Spanish ships frequently landed on Dominica during the
16th century, but fierce resistance by the Caribs discouraged Spain's efforts at settlement. Carib people presently
inhabit the island, but the numbers of Carib population had decreased dramatically with European colonization. The
British settlers devastated much of the Carib tribe. Many of the remaining Carib people live in Dominica's Carib
Reserve, which is over 100 years old. In 1635, France claimed Dominica. Shortly thereafter, French missionaries
became the first European inhabitants of the island. Carib incursions continued, though, and in 1660, the French and
British agreed that both Dominica and St. Vincent should be abandoned. Dominica was officially neutral for the next
century, but the attraction of its resources remained; rival expeditions of British and French foresters were harvesting
timber by the start of the 18th century. Largely due to Dominica's position between Martinique and Guadeloupe,
France eventually became predominant, and a French settlement was established and grew. As part of the 1763
Treaty of Paris that ended the Seven Years' War, the island became a British possession. In 1778, during the
American Revolutionary War, the French mounted a successful invasion with the active cooperation of the
population, which was largely French. The 1783 Treaty of Paris, which ended the war, returned the island to Britain.
French invasions in 1795 and 1805 ended in failure. In 1763, the British established a legislative assembly,
representing only the white population. In 1831, reflecting a liberalization of official British racial attitudes, the Brown
Privilege Bill conferred political and social rights on free nonwhites. Three Blacks were elected to the legislative
assembly the following year. Following the abolition of slavery, in 1838 Dominica became the first and only British
Caribbean colony to have a Black-controlled legislature in the 19th century. Most Black legislators were small
holders or merchants who held economic and social views diametrically opposed to the interests of the small,
wealthy English planter class. Reacting to a perceived threat, the planters lobbied for more direct British rule. In
1865, after much agitation and tension, the colonial office replaced the elective assembly with one comprised of
one-half elected members and one-half appointed. The elected legislators were outmaneuvered on numerous
occasions by planters allied with colonial administrators. In 1871, Dominica became part of the Leeward Island
Federation. The power of the Black population progressively eroded. Crown Colony government was re-established
in 1896. All political rights for the vast majority of the population were effectively curtailed. Development aid, offered
as compensation for disenfranchisement, proved to have a negligible effect. Following World War I, an upsurge of
political consciousness throughout the Caribbean led to the formation of the representative government association.
Marshaling public frustration with the lack of a voice in the governing of Dominica, this group won one-third of the
popularly elected seats of the legislative assembly in 1924 and one-half in 1936. Shortly thereafter, Dominica was
transferred from the Leeward Island Administration and was governed as part of the Windwards until 1958, when it
joined the short-lived West Indies Federation. In 1961, a Dominica Labor Party government led by Edward Oliver
LeBlanc was elected. After the federation dissolved, Dominica became an associated state of the United Kingdom
on February 27, 1967 and formally took responsibility for its internal affairs. LeBlanc retired in 1974 and was
replaced by Patrick John. On November 3, 1978, the Commonwealth of Dominica was granted independence by
the United Kingdom. Independence did little to solve problems stemming from centuries of economic
underdevelopment, and in mid-1979, political discontent led to the formation of an interim government, led by Oliver
Seraphin. It was replaced after the 1980 elections by a government led by the Dominica Freedom Party under Prime
Minister Eugenia Charles, the Caribbean's first female prime minister. Chronic economic problems were
compounded by the severe impact of hurricanes in 1979 and in 1980. By the end of the 1980s, the economy had
made a healthy recovery, which weakened in the 1990s due to a decrease in banana prices. In 1995 the government
was defeated in elections by the United Workers Party of Edison James. James became prime minister, serving until
the February 2000 elections, when the Dominica United Workers Party (DUWP) was defeated by the Dominica
Labour Party (DLP), led by Rosie Douglas. He was a former socialist activist, and many feared that his approach to
politics might be impractical. However, these were somewhat quieted when he formed a coalition with the more
conservative Dominica Freedom Party. Douglas died suddenly after only a few months in office, on October 1,
2000, and was replaced by Pierre Charles, also of the DLP. In 2003, Nicholas Liverpool was elected and sworn in
as president, succeeding Vernon Shaw.. On January 6, 2004, Prime Minister Pierre Charles, who had been suffering
from heart problems since 2003, died. He became the second consecutive prime minister of Dominica to die in office
of a heart attack. The foreign minister, Osborne Riviere immediately became prime minister, but the education
minister, Roosevelt Skerrit succeeded him as prime minister and became the new leader of the Dominica Labour
Party. Elections were held on May 5, 2005 with the ruling coalition maintaining power.
Sources: Wikipedia: History of Dominica
The Arawaks were guided to Dominica, and other islands of the Caribbean, by the South Equatorial current from the
waters of the Orinoco River. These descendants of the early Tainos were overthrown by the Kalinago tribe of the
Caribs. The Caribs, or Island-Caribs, not to be confused with the proper Caribs of the mainland, occupied the
Wayward Islands, Guadeloupe, and maybe a few of the southern Leewards during the time of Christopher
Columbus who landed on the island in November 1493. Spanish ships frequently landed on Dominica during the
16th century, but fierce resistance by the Caribs discouraged Spain's efforts at settlement. Carib people presently
inhabit the island, but the numbers of Carib population had decreased dramatically with European colonization. The
British settlers devastated much of the Carib tribe. Many of the remaining Carib people live in Dominica's Carib
Reserve, which is over 100 years old. In 1635, France claimed Dominica. Shortly thereafter, French missionaries
became the first European inhabitants of the island. Carib incursions continued, though, and in 1660, the French and
British agreed that both Dominica and St. Vincent should be abandoned. Dominica was officially neutral for the next
century, but the attraction of its resources remained; rival expeditions of British and French foresters were harvesting
timber by the start of the 18th century. Largely due to Dominica's position between Martinique and Guadeloupe,
France eventually became predominant, and a French settlement was established and grew. As part of the 1763
Treaty of Paris that ended the Seven Years' War, the island became a British possession. In 1778, during the
American Revolutionary War, the French mounted a successful invasion with the active cooperation of the
population, which was largely French. The 1783 Treaty of Paris, which ended the war, returned the island to Britain.
French invasions in 1795 and 1805 ended in failure. In 1763, the British established a legislative assembly,
representing only the white population. In 1831, reflecting a liberalization of official British racial attitudes, the Brown
Privilege Bill conferred political and social rights on free nonwhites. Three Blacks were elected to the legislative
assembly the following year. Following the abolition of slavery, in 1838 Dominica became the first and only British
Caribbean colony to have a Black-controlled legislature in the 19th century. Most Black legislators were small
holders or merchants who held economic and social views diametrically opposed to the interests of the small,
wealthy English planter class. Reacting to a perceived threat, the planters lobbied for more direct British rule. In
1865, after much agitation and tension, the colonial office replaced the elective assembly with one comprised of
one-half elected members and one-half appointed. The elected legislators were outmaneuvered on numerous
occasions by planters allied with colonial administrators. In 1871, Dominica became part of the Leeward Island
Federation. The power of the Black population progressively eroded. Crown Colony government was re-established
in 1896. All political rights for the vast majority of the population were effectively curtailed. Development aid, offered
as compensation for disenfranchisement, proved to have a negligible effect. Following World War I, an upsurge of
political consciousness throughout the Caribbean led to the formation of the representative government association.
Marshaling public frustration with the lack of a voice in the governing of Dominica, this group won one-third of the
popularly elected seats of the legislative assembly in 1924 and one-half in 1936. Shortly thereafter, Dominica was
transferred from the Leeward Island Administration and was governed as part of the Windwards until 1958, when it
joined the short-lived West Indies Federation. In 1961, a Dominica Labor Party government led by Edward Oliver
LeBlanc was elected. After the federation dissolved, Dominica became an associated state of the United Kingdom
on February 27, 1967 and formally took responsibility for its internal affairs. LeBlanc retired in 1974 and was
replaced by Patrick John. On November 3, 1978, the Commonwealth of Dominica was granted independence by
the United Kingdom. Independence did little to solve problems stemming from centuries of economic
underdevelopment, and in mid-1979, political discontent led to the formation of an interim government, led by Oliver
Seraphin. It was replaced after the 1980 elections by a government led by the Dominica Freedom Party under Prime
Minister Eugenia Charles, the Caribbean's first female prime minister. Chronic economic problems were
compounded by the severe impact of hurricanes in 1979 and in 1980. By the end of the 1980s, the economy had
made a healthy recovery, which weakened in the 1990s due to a decrease in banana prices. In 1995 the government
was defeated in elections by the United Workers Party of Edison James. James became prime minister, serving until
the February 2000 elections, when the Dominica United Workers Party (DUWP) was defeated by the Dominica
Labour Party (DLP), led by Rosie Douglas. He was a former socialist activist, and many feared that his approach to
politics might be impractical. However, these were somewhat quieted when he formed a coalition with the more
conservative Dominica Freedom Party. Douglas died suddenly after only a few months in office, on October 1,
2000, and was replaced by Pierre Charles, also of the DLP. In 2003, Nicholas Liverpool was elected and sworn in
as president, succeeding Vernon Shaw.. On January 6, 2004, Prime Minister Pierre Charles, who had been suffering
from heart problems since 2003, died. He became the second consecutive prime minister of Dominica to die in office
of a heart attack. The foreign minister, Osborne Riviere immediately became prime minister, but the education
minister, Roosevelt Skerrit succeeded him as prime minister and became the new leader of the Dominica Labour
Party. Elections were held on May 5, 2005 with the ruling coalition maintaining power.
Sources: Wikipedia: History of Dominica
Click on map for larger view
Click on flag for Country Report
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.