| SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis Joined United Nations: 23 September 1983 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 03/31/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Basseterre
40,131 (July 2009 est.)
Elizabeth II of United Kingdom
Queen since 6 February 1952
Queen since 6 February 1952
The monarch is hereditary and holds that position for life or until
abdication. The Governor General is selected by the Queen.
Next scheduled election: None
abdication. The Governor General is selected by the Queen.
Next scheduled election: None
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Dr. Denzil Douglas
Prime Minister since 6 July 1995
Prime Minister since 6 July 1995
Following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or
leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister
by the governor general; Last election held: 25 January 2010
Next scheduled election: 2015
leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister
by the governor general; Last election held: 25 January 2010
Next scheduled election: 2015
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Predominantly African descendant; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese
| RELIGIONS |
Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Parliamentary democracy; 14 parishes. Legal system is based English common law
Executive: Monarch represented by Governor General; Prime Minister is typical the leader of the majority party or
coalition appointed by the governor general
Legislative: Unicameral National Assembly (14 seats, 3 appointed and 11 popularly elected from single-member
constituencies; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 25 January 2010 (next to be held by 2015)
Judicial: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint
Kitts and Nevis)
Executive: Monarch represented by Governor General; Prime Minister is typical the leader of the majority party or
coalition appointed by the governor general
Legislative: Unicameral National Assembly (14 seats, 3 appointed and 11 popularly elected from single-member
constituencies; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 25 January 2010 (next to be held by 2015)
Judicial: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint
Kitts and Nevis)
| LANGUAGES |
English
| BRIEF HISTORY |
The first settlers to arrive to the islands were a pre-agricultural, pre-ceramic people, who migrated down the archipelago
from Florida labelled "Archaic people." Around 100 B.C., the ceramic-using and agriculturalist Saladoid people came to
the islands, migrating up the archipelago from the banks of the Orinoco River in Venezuela. They were replaced in 800
A.D. By the Igneri people, members of the Arawak tribe. Around 1300 A.D., the Kalinago, or Carib people arrived on
the islands dispersing the Igneri, and forced them northwards to the Greater Antilles. They named Saint Kitts Liamuiga
meaning "fertile island", and Nevis Oualie meaning "land of beautiful waters". The first Europeans to arrive at the islands
were the Spanish under Christopher Columbus. He named Saint Kitts Sant Jago (Saint James). However,
misinterpretations of maps by subsequent Spanish explorers led Saint Kitts to be named San Cristobal (Saint
Christopher). Nevis was named "Nuestra Señora de las Nieves", or "Our Lady of the Snows", because of its large
volcanic peak, which due to heavy cloud covering at its top made Columbus mistakenly believe that it was capped with
snow. The first non-Spanish settlement attempt in the Caribbean occurred on Saint Kitts, when French Jesuit refugees
from the fishing town of Dieppe established a small town on a harbour on the island's north coast, also called "Dieppe," in
1538. In 1607 Captain John Smith stopped at Nevis for five days before founding the colony of Virginia. In 1624
Captain Thomas Warner, established the colony of Saint Christopher, the first British colony in the Caribbean. After a
Carib massacre, where 2000 men were executed at what is now Bloody Point, the island was partitioned between the
British and French, with the French gaining the ends, Capisterre in the North and Basseterre in the south, and the British
gaining the centre. In 1671, British Saint Kitts was annexed with Nevis, Antigua and Montserrat to form the Leeward
Caribee Island Government, headquartered in Antigua. The island still had full autonomy however. In 1689, during the
War of the Grand Alliance, France re-occupied the entire island, and decimated the British farms. English retaliation by
General Codrington defeated the French forces and deported them to Martinique. The history of Nevis was less
tumultous. The island was colonised by Anthony Hilton and 80 settlers from Saint Kitts in 1628. The island quickly grew
very profitable from tobacco trading. The French made one more major attack on British troops in 1705 during the War
of the Spanish Succession, as the over 8,000 French troops on the island easily defeated the 1,000 British posts. The
French held St. Kitts for 8 years, until the Treaty of Utrecht was signed. The treaty ceded the entire island of St. Kitts to
the British. By 1776, Saint Kitts became the new richest British colony in the Caribbean, per capita as a result of its sugar
industry. It retained this status until the late 19th century, despite a miriad of attacks by the French throughout the 18th
century, including the battle of St. Kitts in 1782. The consolidation of British rule was recognized finally under the Treaty
of Versailles in 1783.In 1833, the Leeward Islands were reunited as a single administrative entity, and was renamed the
Federal Colony of the Leeward Islands in 1871. In 1883, St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla were all linked under one
"presidency," based in St. Kitts.In 1983, the federation was granted independence from Britain, with a constitution that
granted Nevis a large degree of autonomy as well as the guaranteed right of secession if the need would come along.In
2005, St. Kitts saw the closure of its sugar industry, after 365 years in the monoculture. This was stated as due to the
industry's huge losses, as well as market threats by the E.U., who plan to cut sugar prices by large amounts in the near
future.
Source: Wikipedia History of Saint Kitts and Nevis
from Florida labelled "Archaic people." Around 100 B.C., the ceramic-using and agriculturalist Saladoid people came to
the islands, migrating up the archipelago from the banks of the Orinoco River in Venezuela. They were replaced in 800
A.D. By the Igneri people, members of the Arawak tribe. Around 1300 A.D., the Kalinago, or Carib people arrived on
the islands dispersing the Igneri, and forced them northwards to the Greater Antilles. They named Saint Kitts Liamuiga
meaning "fertile island", and Nevis Oualie meaning "land of beautiful waters". The first Europeans to arrive at the islands
were the Spanish under Christopher Columbus. He named Saint Kitts Sant Jago (Saint James). However,
misinterpretations of maps by subsequent Spanish explorers led Saint Kitts to be named San Cristobal (Saint
Christopher). Nevis was named "Nuestra Señora de las Nieves", or "Our Lady of the Snows", because of its large
volcanic peak, which due to heavy cloud covering at its top made Columbus mistakenly believe that it was capped with
snow. The first non-Spanish settlement attempt in the Caribbean occurred on Saint Kitts, when French Jesuit refugees
from the fishing town of Dieppe established a small town on a harbour on the island's north coast, also called "Dieppe," in
1538. In 1607 Captain John Smith stopped at Nevis for five days before founding the colony of Virginia. In 1624
Captain Thomas Warner, established the colony of Saint Christopher, the first British colony in the Caribbean. After a
Carib massacre, where 2000 men were executed at what is now Bloody Point, the island was partitioned between the
British and French, with the French gaining the ends, Capisterre in the North and Basseterre in the south, and the British
gaining the centre. In 1671, British Saint Kitts was annexed with Nevis, Antigua and Montserrat to form the Leeward
Caribee Island Government, headquartered in Antigua. The island still had full autonomy however. In 1689, during the
War of the Grand Alliance, France re-occupied the entire island, and decimated the British farms. English retaliation by
General Codrington defeated the French forces and deported them to Martinique. The history of Nevis was less
tumultous. The island was colonised by Anthony Hilton and 80 settlers from Saint Kitts in 1628. The island quickly grew
very profitable from tobacco trading. The French made one more major attack on British troops in 1705 during the War
of the Spanish Succession, as the over 8,000 French troops on the island easily defeated the 1,000 British posts. The
French held St. Kitts for 8 years, until the Treaty of Utrecht was signed. The treaty ceded the entire island of St. Kitts to
the British. By 1776, Saint Kitts became the new richest British colony in the Caribbean, per capita as a result of its sugar
industry. It retained this status until the late 19th century, despite a miriad of attacks by the French throughout the 18th
century, including the battle of St. Kitts in 1782. The consolidation of British rule was recognized finally under the Treaty
of Versailles in 1783.In 1833, the Leeward Islands were reunited as a single administrative entity, and was renamed the
Federal Colony of the Leeward Islands in 1871. In 1883, St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla were all linked under one
"presidency," based in St. Kitts.In 1983, the federation was granted independence from Britain, with a constitution that
granted Nevis a large degree of autonomy as well as the guaranteed right of secession if the need would come along.In
2005, St. Kitts saw the closure of its sugar industry, after 365 years in the monoculture. This was stated as due to the
industry's huge losses, as well as market threats by the E.U., who plan to cut sugar prices by large amounts in the near
future.
Source: Wikipedia History of Saint Kitts and Nevis
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis is heavily dependent upon tourism revenues, which has replaced sugar, the
traditional mainstay of the economy until the 1970s. Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar
industry after decades of losses of 3-4% of GDP annually. To compensate for employment losses, the government has
embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as
tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking. Economic growth was above average for Latin America
from 2004 to 2006, but has since slowed. Tourism is projected to give the economy a boost in 2010, as large cruise
ships add St. Kitts and Nevis to their itineraries. More than 106,000 tourists visited the islands in 2008. Like other
tourist destinations in the Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in
tourism demand. The current government is constrained by a high public debt burden equivalent to roughly 185% of
GDP, largely attributable to public enterprise losses.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Saint Kitts and Nevis)
traditional mainstay of the economy until the 1970s. Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar
industry after decades of losses of 3-4% of GDP annually. To compensate for employment losses, the government has
embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as
tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking. Economic growth was above average for Latin America
from 2004 to 2006, but has since slowed. Tourism is projected to give the economy a boost in 2010, as large cruise
ships add St. Kitts and Nevis to their itineraries. More than 106,000 tourists visited the islands in 2008. Like other
tourist destinations in the Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in
tourism demand. The current government is constrained by a high public debt burden equivalent to roughly 185% of
GDP, largely attributable to public enterprise losses.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Saint Kitts and Nevis)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
St. Kitts and Nevis has enjoyed a long history of free and fair elections, although the outcome of elections in 1993 was
strongly protested by the opposition and the Eastern Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) was briefly deployed to
restore order. The elections in 1995 were contested by the two major parties, the ruling People's Action Movement (PAM)
and the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party. Labour won seven of the 11 seats, with Dr. Denzil Douglas becoming prime
minister. In the March 2000 elections, Denzil Douglas and the Labour Party were returned to power, winning eight of the 11
seats in the House. The Nevis-based Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) won two seats and the Nevis Reformation Party
(NRP) won one seat. The PAM party was unable to obtain a seat.
Under the constitution, Nevis has considerable autonomy and has an island assembly, a premier, and a deputy governor
general. Under certain specified conditions, it may secede from the federation. In accordance with its rights under the
Constitution, in 1996 the Nevis Island Administration under the Concerned Citizens' Movement (CCM) of Premier Vance
Amory initiated steps towards secession from the Federation, the most recent being a referendum in 1998 that failed to secure
the required two-thirds majority for secession. The most recent elections in Nevis took place on July 10, 2006. Amory's CCM
was defeated by the NRP of Joseph Parry, winning only two out of the five elective seats. Parry was sworn in as the third
Premier of Nevis a day later.
Like its neighbours in the English-speaking Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis has an excellent human rights record. Its judicial
system is modeled on British practice and procedure and its jurisprudence on English common law. The Royal St. Kitts and
Nevis Police Force has about 370 members.
Click here to read more »
strongly protested by the opposition and the Eastern Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) was briefly deployed to
restore order. The elections in 1995 were contested by the two major parties, the ruling People's Action Movement (PAM)
and the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party. Labour won seven of the 11 seats, with Dr. Denzil Douglas becoming prime
minister. In the March 2000 elections, Denzil Douglas and the Labour Party were returned to power, winning eight of the 11
seats in the House. The Nevis-based Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) won two seats and the Nevis Reformation Party
(NRP) won one seat. The PAM party was unable to obtain a seat.
Under the constitution, Nevis has considerable autonomy and has an island assembly, a premier, and a deputy governor
general. Under certain specified conditions, it may secede from the federation. In accordance with its rights under the
Constitution, in 1996 the Nevis Island Administration under the Concerned Citizens' Movement (CCM) of Premier Vance
Amory initiated steps towards secession from the Federation, the most recent being a referendum in 1998 that failed to secure
the required two-thirds majority for secession. The most recent elections in Nevis took place on July 10, 2006. Amory's CCM
was defeated by the NRP of Joseph Parry, winning only two out of the five elective seats. Parry was sworn in as the third
Premier of Nevis a day later.
Like its neighbours in the English-speaking Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis has an excellent human rights record. Its judicial
system is modeled on British practice and procedure and its jurisprudence on English common law. The Royal St. Kitts and
Nevis Police Force has about 370 members.
Click here to read more »
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
Joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under
UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea
UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDP) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: Saint Kitts and Nevis
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Saint Kitts and Nevis is a multiparty, parliamentary democracy and federation, with a population of approximately 39,200. In 2004
national elections, Prime Minister Denzil Douglas's Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) won seven seats in the 11-seat
legislature. International observers concluded that the election was credible and that the results reflected the will of the voters, but
noted weaknesses in the electoral process. The constitution provides the smaller island of Nevis considerable self-government
under a premier, as well as the right to secede from the federation in accordance with certain enumerated procedures. In 2006
voters in Nevis elected Joseph Parry of the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) as premier. Civilian authorities generally maintained
effective control of the security forces.
Although the government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, problems included:
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Saint Kitts and Nevis is a multiparty, parliamentary democracy and federation, with a population of approximately 39,200. In 2004
national elections, Prime Minister Denzil Douglas's Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) won seven seats in the 11-seat
legislature. International observers concluded that the election was credible and that the results reflected the will of the voters, but
noted weaknesses in the electoral process. The constitution provides the smaller island of Nevis considerable self-government
under a premier, as well as the right to secede from the federation in accordance with certain enumerated procedures. In 2006
voters in Nevis elected Joseph Parry of the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) as premier. Civilian authorities generally maintained
effective control of the security forces.
Although the government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, problems included:
- use of excessive force by police,
- poor prison conditions,
- violence against women.
SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS ACKNOWLEDGES ABSENCE OF OFFICIAL POLICY ON WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN
POLITICAL LIFE
Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women
13 June 2002
563rd Meeting (AM)
Committee Concludes Consideration Of Country's Report on Implementation of Anti-Discrimination Convention
Women's political participation, traditional attitudes and efforts to overcome violence against women in Saint Kitts and Nevis were
the focus of attention at the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women this morning, as it continued its
consideration of that country's initial, second, third and fourth reports.
The 23-member Committee –- charged with monitoring implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women -– heard the delegation's responses to questions posed by the experts last week. (For initial
discussion and background information, see press release WOM/1340 of 5 June.)
Country representatives described the country's gender equality machinery and legal measures to improve the situation of women.
On women's political representation, they said that although women were actively engaged in political parties, they were still
reluctant to become electoral candidates themselves. Training was needed in the area of governance, democracy and constitutional
matters. It was hardly likely that quotas would be formulated in the country to increase women's political participation, however.
Click here to read more »
POLITICAL LIFE
Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women
13 June 2002
563rd Meeting (AM)
Committee Concludes Consideration Of Country's Report on Implementation of Anti-Discrimination Convention
Women's political participation, traditional attitudes and efforts to overcome violence against women in Saint Kitts and Nevis were
the focus of attention at the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women this morning, as it continued its
consideration of that country's initial, second, third and fourth reports.
The 23-member Committee –- charged with monitoring implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women -– heard the delegation's responses to questions posed by the experts last week. (For initial
discussion and background information, see press release WOM/1340 of 5 June.)
Country representatives described the country's gender equality machinery and legal measures to improve the situation of women.
On women's political representation, they said that although women were actively engaged in political parties, they were still
reluctant to become electoral candidates themselves. Training was needed in the area of governance, democracy and constitutional
matters. It was hardly likely that quotas would be formulated in the country to increase women's political participation, however.
Click here to read more »
FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2009 REPORT
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free
Overview
In 2008, Prime Minister Denzil Douglas restructured his cabinet following the resignation of a top minister. Saint Kitts and Nevis
also suffered from a spike in crime and took steps during the year to strengthen anticorruption, antiterrorism, and antitrafficking
laws.
In August 2008, the minister of national security, immigration, and labor resigned following rumors in the press about a dispute
with the prime minister. After the impasse, Douglas restructured the ministerial portfolios, taking under his responsibility the
ministries of national security, foreign affairs, immigration, sustainable development, tourism, sport and culture and putting his
deputy in charge of education, youth affairs, labor, social security, and information and technology. The goal was to take greater
control over these policy areas, in order to formulate a coordinated response to the problem of crime in the country. Meanwhile,
Saint Kitts and Nevis reaffirmed its close ties with Taiwan in January by opening its first Embassy in Taipei.
On the economic front, authorities in April eliminated a 15 to 25.5 percent consumption tax on food staples to counter rising food
prices. Also during the year, the government promised to review the country’s minimum wage, won a US$ 6.2 million loan from
the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank to fund child-development projects through student loans, and committed EC$50
million (around US$19 million) for a housing program.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is an electoral democracy. The 2004 elections were free and fair. The federal government consists of the
prime minister, the cabinet, and the unicameral National Assembly. A governor-general represents Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II as
ceremonial head of state. Elected National Assembly members—eight from Saint Kitts and three from Nevis—serve five-year
terms. Senators are appointed to the body, and their number may not exceed two-thirds of the elected members, with one chosen
by the leader of the parliamentary opposition for every two chosen by the prime minister. Saint Kitts’s main political parties are the
SKNLP and the PAM. On Nevis, the two main parties are the CCM, which had long been the majority party there, and the NRP,
which won a majority of seats in the Nevis Island Assembly in July 2006. Nevis’s assembly is composed of five elected and three
appointed members, and the local government pays for all of its own services except for those involving police and foreign
relations. Saint Kitts has no similar body.
Click here to read more »
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free
Overview
In 2008, Prime Minister Denzil Douglas restructured his cabinet following the resignation of a top minister. Saint Kitts and Nevis
also suffered from a spike in crime and took steps during the year to strengthen anticorruption, antiterrorism, and antitrafficking
laws.
In August 2008, the minister of national security, immigration, and labor resigned following rumors in the press about a dispute
with the prime minister. After the impasse, Douglas restructured the ministerial portfolios, taking under his responsibility the
ministries of national security, foreign affairs, immigration, sustainable development, tourism, sport and culture and putting his
deputy in charge of education, youth affairs, labor, social security, and information and technology. The goal was to take greater
control over these policy areas, in order to formulate a coordinated response to the problem of crime in the country. Meanwhile,
Saint Kitts and Nevis reaffirmed its close ties with Taiwan in January by opening its first Embassy in Taipei.
On the economic front, authorities in April eliminated a 15 to 25.5 percent consumption tax on food staples to counter rising food
prices. Also during the year, the government promised to review the country’s minimum wage, won a US$ 6.2 million loan from
the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank to fund child-development projects through student loans, and committed EC$50
million (around US$19 million) for a housing program.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is an electoral democracy. The 2004 elections were free and fair. The federal government consists of the
prime minister, the cabinet, and the unicameral National Assembly. A governor-general represents Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II as
ceremonial head of state. Elected National Assembly members—eight from Saint Kitts and three from Nevis—serve five-year
terms. Senators are appointed to the body, and their number may not exceed two-thirds of the elected members, with one chosen
by the leader of the parliamentary opposition for every two chosen by the prime minister. Saint Kitts’s main political parties are the
SKNLP and the PAM. On Nevis, the two main parties are the CCM, which had long been the majority party there, and the NRP,
which won a majority of seats in the Nevis Island Assembly in July 2006. Nevis’s assembly is composed of five elected and three
appointed members, and the local government pays for all of its own services except for those involving police and foreign
relations. Saint Kitts has no similar body.
Click here to read more »
Cruel, discriminatory, unfair and degrading – the death penalty in 2008
23 March 2009
The report, Death Sentences and Executions in 2008, provides a world overview on the death penalty. Between January and
December 2008, at least 2,390 people were executed in 25 countries around the world, with at least 8,864 sentenced to death in 52
states.
The report addresses the discriminatory manner with which the death penalty was often applied in 2008. A disproportionate number
of sentences were handed down to the poor, minorities and members of racial, ethnic and religious communities in countries such
as Iran, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and USA.
Many death row inmates languish in harsh detention conditions and face psychological hardship. For example, inmates in Japan are
typically notified of their hanging only on the morning of their execution and their families are informed only after the execution has
taken place.
"Capital punishment is not just an act, but a legalized process of physical and psychological terror that culminates in people being
killed by the state. It must be brought to an end," said Irene Khan.
Most of the world is moving a step closer to the abolition of the death penalty, with only 25 out of the 59 countries that retain the
death penalty reported to have actually executed people in 2008. However, Amnesty International warned that, in spite of this trend,
death sentences continue to be handed out in their hundreds all over the world.
Progress was undermined, however, in 2008 by countries like St Kitts and Nevis, which carried out the first execution in the
Americas outside the USA since 2003, and Liberia, where the death penalty was introduced for the crimes of robbery, terrorism
and hijacking. Only two officially recorded executions were carried out in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2008, but at least 362 people were
sentenced to death.
"The good news is that executions are only carried out by a small number of countries, which shows that we are moving closer to
a death-penalty free world," said Irene Khan. "By contrast, the bad news is that hundreds of people continue to be sentenced to
death and suffer in the many countries that have not yet formally abolished the death penalty."
Click here to read more »
23 March 2009
The report, Death Sentences and Executions in 2008, provides a world overview on the death penalty. Between January and
December 2008, at least 2,390 people were executed in 25 countries around the world, with at least 8,864 sentenced to death in 52
states.
The report addresses the discriminatory manner with which the death penalty was often applied in 2008. A disproportionate number
of sentences were handed down to the poor, minorities and members of racial, ethnic and religious communities in countries such
as Iran, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and USA.
Many death row inmates languish in harsh detention conditions and face psychological hardship. For example, inmates in Japan are
typically notified of their hanging only on the morning of their execution and their families are informed only after the execution has
taken place.
"Capital punishment is not just an act, but a legalized process of physical and psychological terror that culminates in people being
killed by the state. It must be brought to an end," said Irene Khan.
Most of the world is moving a step closer to the abolition of the death penalty, with only 25 out of the 59 countries that retain the
death penalty reported to have actually executed people in 2008. However, Amnesty International warned that, in spite of this trend,
death sentences continue to be handed out in their hundreds all over the world.
Progress was undermined, however, in 2008 by countries like St Kitts and Nevis, which carried out the first execution in the
Americas outside the USA since 2003, and Liberia, where the death penalty was introduced for the crimes of robbery, terrorism
and hijacking. Only two officially recorded executions were carried out in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2008, but at least 362 people were
sentenced to death.
"The good news is that executions are only carried out by a small number of countries, which shows that we are moving closer to
a death-penalty free world," said Irene Khan. "By contrast, the bad news is that hundreds of people continue to be sentenced to
death and suffer in the many countries that have not yet formally abolished the death penalty."
Click here to read more »
Letter Urging Jamaican Government to Protect Rights Defenders and Address Violence and Abuse Based on Sexual
Orientation and HIV
November 29, 2004
Jamaican human rights defenders who criticized the government for abusive treatment of gay men and people living with
HIV/AIDS have been threatened with sedition charges; and government officials have denied that any such abuses take place.
Human Rights Watch urges Jamaican officials to act immediately to protect activists' democratic freedoms, and to investigate
allegations of abuse based on sexual orientation and HIV status.
Our recent report on how discrimination based on sexual orientation is impeding the fight against HIV/AIDS in Jamaica has
provoked both threats and blanket denials from sectors of the government and police. We are writing to urge the Jamaican
government to adopt a more constructive tenor in its response as it confronts the converging health and human rights crises.
As Human Rights Watch has documented in “Hated to Death: Homophobia, Violence, and Jamaica’s HIV/AIDS Epidemic,”
discrimination and abuse based on sexual orientation — coupled with discrimination and abuse against those living with HIV —
present a growing and serious challenge to Jamaica. Together, they endanger both basic civil and political rights and vital public
health efforts to reach those most at risk from the epidemic. In the report, Human Rights Watch presented detailed accounts of
police harassment of gay men and HIV/AIDS outreach workers; of violence in communities and families carried out in a spirit of
impunity; and of official indifference to human rights violations.
Representatives of your government, responding to Human Rights Watch’s documentation, have repeatedly cited Jamaica’s
“sovereignty” as a reason to oppose the repeal of sodomy laws (laws initially imposed by a colonial authority, not a sovereign
Jamaica) and to dismiss the report’s other recommendations.
Sovereignty is not at issue here. Legally binding obligations are. Jamaica has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights. The covenant affirms the equality of all people before the law and condemns all forms of discrimination. The United
Nations Human Rights Committee has held both sexual orientation and HIV status to be protected against discrimination by the
treaty’s provisions. It has also held that sodomy laws such as Jamaica’s violate the treaty’s protections for privacy and equality.
During the past two weeks in which your government assailed Human Rights Watch’s findings, the health minister of Guyana has
outlined proposed legal reforms which would include the decriminalization of homosexual conduct as part of its overall effort to
combat HIV/AIDS. The government of the Bahamas has announced plans to amend its Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination
based on sexual orientation. A meeting of eighteen Caribbean health and labor ministers joined by health professionals in St. Kitts
and Nevis placed homophobia as a central element on the agenda of issues in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Click here to read more »
Orientation and HIV
November 29, 2004
Jamaican human rights defenders who criticized the government for abusive treatment of gay men and people living with
HIV/AIDS have been threatened with sedition charges; and government officials have denied that any such abuses take place.
Human Rights Watch urges Jamaican officials to act immediately to protect activists' democratic freedoms, and to investigate
allegations of abuse based on sexual orientation and HIV status.
Our recent report on how discrimination based on sexual orientation is impeding the fight against HIV/AIDS in Jamaica has
provoked both threats and blanket denials from sectors of the government and police. We are writing to urge the Jamaican
government to adopt a more constructive tenor in its response as it confronts the converging health and human rights crises.
As Human Rights Watch has documented in “Hated to Death: Homophobia, Violence, and Jamaica’s HIV/AIDS Epidemic,”
discrimination and abuse based on sexual orientation — coupled with discrimination and abuse against those living with HIV —
present a growing and serious challenge to Jamaica. Together, they endanger both basic civil and political rights and vital public
health efforts to reach those most at risk from the epidemic. In the report, Human Rights Watch presented detailed accounts of
police harassment of gay men and HIV/AIDS outreach workers; of violence in communities and families carried out in a spirit of
impunity; and of official indifference to human rights violations.
Representatives of your government, responding to Human Rights Watch’s documentation, have repeatedly cited Jamaica’s
“sovereignty” as a reason to oppose the repeal of sodomy laws (laws initially imposed by a colonial authority, not a sovereign
Jamaica) and to dismiss the report’s other recommendations.
Sovereignty is not at issue here. Legally binding obligations are. Jamaica has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights. The covenant affirms the equality of all people before the law and condemns all forms of discrimination. The United
Nations Human Rights Committee has held both sexual orientation and HIV status to be protected against discrimination by the
treaty’s provisions. It has also held that sodomy laws such as Jamaica’s violate the treaty’s protections for privacy and equality.
During the past two weeks in which your government assailed Human Rights Watch’s findings, the health minister of Guyana has
outlined proposed legal reforms which would include the decriminalization of homosexual conduct as part of its overall effort to
combat HIV/AIDS. The government of the Bahamas has announced plans to amend its Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination
based on sexual orientation. A meeting of eighteen Caribbean health and labor ministers joined by health professionals in St. Kitts
and Nevis placed homophobia as a central element on the agenda of issues in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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PM considering the way forward following ruling on boundaries battle
10/19/09
BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas was on Monday consulting his legal advisors to determine how
he should proceed, following the ruling of a High Court judge in the much-publicised battle over attempts to change constituency
boundaries.
In a 107-page judgement, Justice Errol Thomas condemned recent parliamentary manoeuvres made by the government in its bid to
realign constituencies in the twin-island federation.
The judge upheld the argument put forward by the opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM), through its leader Lindsay Grant
and his deputy Shawn Richards, that the laying of the Constituency Boundaries Commission report and the issuing of a
proclamation to act on the report were unconstitutional since an injunction was already in place.
But while PAM instantly claimed victory in the case, the ruling St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) later in the day began
promoting a public meeting to be held Monday night saying it had secured a “99 per cent victory”.
From the Prime Minister’s point of view, there was no reason for the opposition party to be celebrating.
“The claimants, the Honourable Shawn Richards and Lindsay Grant alleged that their rights under sections 3 and 10 of the
Constitution and the actions of my government were in breach of their rights to free and fair elections and the protection of the
law. These allegations were all rejected by the Honourable Court,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.
“PAM took this government to court and the allegations they made against the government were rejected by the court,” he added.
Dr Douglas said as evidenced by the judgement, his government did nothing to deny the holding of free and fair elections.
“In short, no action of my government denied them the right to free and fair elections. No action of my Government denied them
the protection of the law…the Honourable Court also rejected that allegation,” he said, adding that his administration would continue
to abide and follow the rule of law.
The Prime Minister repeated his oft said claim that PAM was seeking to delay the calling of the general elections “given their state
of ‘unreadiness’ for the elections”.
Click here to read more »
10/19/09
BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas was on Monday consulting his legal advisors to determine how
he should proceed, following the ruling of a High Court judge in the much-publicised battle over attempts to change constituency
boundaries.
In a 107-page judgement, Justice Errol Thomas condemned recent parliamentary manoeuvres made by the government in its bid to
realign constituencies in the twin-island federation.
The judge upheld the argument put forward by the opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM), through its leader Lindsay Grant
and his deputy Shawn Richards, that the laying of the Constituency Boundaries Commission report and the issuing of a
proclamation to act on the report were unconstitutional since an injunction was already in place.
But while PAM instantly claimed victory in the case, the ruling St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) later in the day began
promoting a public meeting to be held Monday night saying it had secured a “99 per cent victory”.
From the Prime Minister’s point of view, there was no reason for the opposition party to be celebrating.
“The claimants, the Honourable Shawn Richards and Lindsay Grant alleged that their rights under sections 3 and 10 of the
Constitution and the actions of my government were in breach of their rights to free and fair elections and the protection of the
law. These allegations were all rejected by the Honourable Court,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.
“PAM took this government to court and the allegations they made against the government were rejected by the court,” he added.
Dr Douglas said as evidenced by the judgement, his government did nothing to deny the holding of free and fair elections.
“In short, no action of my government denied them the right to free and fair elections. No action of my Government denied them
the protection of the law…the Honourable Court also rejected that allegation,” he said, adding that his administration would continue
to abide and follow the rule of law.
The Prime Minister repeated his oft said claim that PAM was seeking to delay the calling of the general elections “given their state
of ‘unreadiness’ for the elections”.
Click here to read more »
Inquiry work continues behind the scenes, says Commissioner Sharpe
2/05/10
CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (February 05, 2010) — Commissioner to the Commission of Inquiry on Nevis Mr. Thomas Sharpe QC,
announced that the Commission’s work had brought him back to Nevis, citing that there was much work to be done despite a hold
on public hearings pending the outcome of an Appeal matter in the Courts.
The Commissioner told the Department of Information in an interview on Tuesday that behind the scenes work had continued
nonetheless, though the Commission was forced to curtail its public hearings, in wait for a Court decision from an appeal to stay
the proceedings. It was filed by witness and former Premier of Nevis Mr. Vance Amory late 2009.
“We have not exactly been doing nothing since July. We have issued 44 letters to people inviting them to give evidence. Our
investigative team and that’s essentially [Former] Assistant [Police] Commissioner Clayton Mills has conducted no less than 42
interviews and we have written statements from majority of those, some are long some are short.
“So the great thing is we are building up a very interesting picture of issues that we are investigating. Its only two people so far
who have refused to essentially be interviewed and that is the process that we have been carrying on. We have heard 11 witnesses
at the first set of hearings and I think we can cross examine other witnesses pretty quickly once we get started again,” he said.
Commissioner Sharp explained that toward the end of the public hearings in July 2009, Mr. Amory had brought proceedings for an
injunction to stop the Commission from proceeding.
“Happily we were able to withstand that but an arrangement was made that we wouldn’t hold more public hearings over the
summer…and that the matter would be heard by the High Court as soon as possible. In the end, that action was heard in Nevis in
the High Court at the end of September and I gave evidence from London through a video link…
“Shortly afterwards we heard from the Judge that she had found in our favour entirely so the action was thrown out but she hadn’t
had time to draft her reasons for that. That meant that Mr. Amory’s exercised his right to appeal but of course it’s extremely
difficult to appeal against reasons which haven’t been given formally in writing,” he said.
The Commissioner noted that it was his understanding that the Judge was in the process of finalising her written reasons and that
the appeal would be heard when the Court of Appeal returned to St. Kitts and Nevis which at the end of March or beginning of
April.
However, Commissioner Sharpe acknowledged that there was a hurdle.
“Now there’s a complication, in that, Mr. Amory’s exercised his rights to seek what we call a stay – that is, he does not want us to
hold any public meetings until the Court of Appeal have finally resolved the matter and that is a type of injunction.
“That’s going to be heard by a single Judge at the Court of Appeal on I think Wednesday the 17th of February. We have to wait
and see what the judge says and plainly, if the stay is granted until the Court of Appeal, we can’t hold any more public hearings
which I would like to do. On the other hand if the application is resisted, as we very much hope it will, there is a chance that we
will be holding hearings probably in March, on some of the matters in contention. That’s the position as it is,” he said.
Click here to read more »
2/05/10
CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (February 05, 2010) — Commissioner to the Commission of Inquiry on Nevis Mr. Thomas Sharpe QC,
announced that the Commission’s work had brought him back to Nevis, citing that there was much work to be done despite a hold
on public hearings pending the outcome of an Appeal matter in the Courts.
The Commissioner told the Department of Information in an interview on Tuesday that behind the scenes work had continued
nonetheless, though the Commission was forced to curtail its public hearings, in wait for a Court decision from an appeal to stay
the proceedings. It was filed by witness and former Premier of Nevis Mr. Vance Amory late 2009.
“We have not exactly been doing nothing since July. We have issued 44 letters to people inviting them to give evidence. Our
investigative team and that’s essentially [Former] Assistant [Police] Commissioner Clayton Mills has conducted no less than 42
interviews and we have written statements from majority of those, some are long some are short.
“So the great thing is we are building up a very interesting picture of issues that we are investigating. Its only two people so far
who have refused to essentially be interviewed and that is the process that we have been carrying on. We have heard 11 witnesses
at the first set of hearings and I think we can cross examine other witnesses pretty quickly once we get started again,” he said.
Commissioner Sharp explained that toward the end of the public hearings in July 2009, Mr. Amory had brought proceedings for an
injunction to stop the Commission from proceeding.
“Happily we were able to withstand that but an arrangement was made that we wouldn’t hold more public hearings over the
summer…and that the matter would be heard by the High Court as soon as possible. In the end, that action was heard in Nevis in
the High Court at the end of September and I gave evidence from London through a video link…
“Shortly afterwards we heard from the Judge that she had found in our favour entirely so the action was thrown out but she hadn’t
had time to draft her reasons for that. That meant that Mr. Amory’s exercised his right to appeal but of course it’s extremely
difficult to appeal against reasons which haven’t been given formally in writing,” he said.
The Commissioner noted that it was his understanding that the Judge was in the process of finalising her written reasons and that
the appeal would be heard when the Court of Appeal returned to St. Kitts and Nevis which at the end of March or beginning of
April.
However, Commissioner Sharpe acknowledged that there was a hurdle.
“Now there’s a complication, in that, Mr. Amory’s exercised his rights to seek what we call a stay – that is, he does not want us to
hold any public meetings until the Court of Appeal have finally resolved the matter and that is a type of injunction.
“That’s going to be heard by a single Judge at the Court of Appeal on I think Wednesday the 17th of February. We have to wait
and see what the judge says and plainly, if the stay is granted until the Court of Appeal, we can’t hold any more public hearings
which I would like to do. On the other hand if the application is resisted, as we very much hope it will, there is a chance that we
will be holding hearings probably in March, on some of the matters in contention. That’s the position as it is,” he said.
Click here to read more »
Expert says Caribbean countries should celebrate 'Know Your Rights Day'
September 27, 2008
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: Know Your Rights Day was celebrated on Friday and is being celebrated on September 28,
every year in more than 60 countries by promoting Public Access to Information (PATI) Legislation for unencumbered public
access to government held information.
James Ferguson of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), the international non government organization working for
the practical realisation of human rights in Commonwealth countries, has issued statements on the importance on the right to know
and he referred to two Caribbean countries, of which he said that the day marked an opportunity for St Kitts and Nevis to lead, and
for Grenada to have an impetus for positive change.
The lengthy statement from Ferguson stated that both St Kitts and Nevis, and Grenada lagged behind many Commonwealth
member states, notably Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and most recently the Cayman Islands (which is in the process of
implementation), which have already enacted effective legislation to provide a legal framework for the realisation of this
fundamental right.
"St Kitts and Nevis should recognize and promote the worldwide proliferation of government transparency and accountability. To
retain legitimacy and respect elected representatives must be accountable to the public by openly disclosing information about the
activities they undertake with public funds," the CHRI official said.
Speaking about Grenada, Ferguson said that with the emergence of a new National Democratic Congress government under Prime
Minister Tillman Thomas, International Right to Know Day presents an opportunity for the people of Grenada to press their new
government to adopt a functioning PATI regime.
He added that access to information was a fundamental human right as, without its protection, it was almost impossible for people
to exercise fully their other rights and freedoms.
“The politics of inclusions and the principles of openness, transparency and accountability dictate that whether it is convenient for
them or not, governments must be open to public scrutiny,” Ferguson said. “Grenada should recognize and promote worldwide
proliferation of government transparency and accountability.”
Click here to read more »
September 27, 2008
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: Know Your Rights Day was celebrated on Friday and is being celebrated on September 28,
every year in more than 60 countries by promoting Public Access to Information (PATI) Legislation for unencumbered public
access to government held information.
James Ferguson of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), the international non government organization working for
the practical realisation of human rights in Commonwealth countries, has issued statements on the importance on the right to know
and he referred to two Caribbean countries, of which he said that the day marked an opportunity for St Kitts and Nevis to lead, and
for Grenada to have an impetus for positive change.
The lengthy statement from Ferguson stated that both St Kitts and Nevis, and Grenada lagged behind many Commonwealth
member states, notably Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and most recently the Cayman Islands (which is in the process of
implementation), which have already enacted effective legislation to provide a legal framework for the realisation of this
fundamental right.
"St Kitts and Nevis should recognize and promote the worldwide proliferation of government transparency and accountability. To
retain legitimacy and respect elected representatives must be accountable to the public by openly disclosing information about the
activities they undertake with public funds," the CHRI official said.
Speaking about Grenada, Ferguson said that with the emergence of a new National Democratic Congress government under Prime
Minister Tillman Thomas, International Right to Know Day presents an opportunity for the people of Grenada to press their new
government to adopt a functioning PATI regime.
He added that access to information was a fundamental human right as, without its protection, it was almost impossible for people
to exercise fully their other rights and freedoms.
“The politics of inclusions and the principles of openness, transparency and accountability dictate that whether it is convenient for
them or not, governments must be open to public scrutiny,” Ferguson said. “Grenada should recognize and promote worldwide
proliferation of government transparency and accountability.”
Click here to read more »
Represented by
Cuthbert Montraville Sebastian
Governor General since 1 January 1996
Cuthbert Montraville Sebastian
Governor General since 1 January 1996
| Click map for larger view |
| Click flag for Country Report |
Sam Terrance Condor
Deputy Prime Minister since 6 July 1995
Deputy Prime Minister since 6 July 1995
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.