| TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Joined United Nations: 18 September 1962 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 10/11/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Port-of-Spain
1,229,953 (July 2010 est.)
Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Prime Minister since 26 May 2010
Prime Minister since 26 May 2010
President elected by an electoral college, which consists of the
members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a
five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11
February 2008
Next scheduled election: February 2013
members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a
five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11
February 2008
Next scheduled election: February 2013
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
The president usually appoints as prime minister the leader of
the majority party in the House of Representatives. Election last
held: 24 May 2010
Next scheduled election: 2015
the majority party in the House of Representatives. Election last
held: 24 May 2010
Next scheduled election: 2015
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Indian (South Asian) 40%, African 37.5%, mixed 20.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.8% (2000 census)
| RELIGIONS |
Roman Catholic 26%, Hindu 22.5%, Anglican 7.8%, Baptist 7.2%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Muslim 5.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4%, other
Christian 5.8%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none 1.9% (2000 census)
Christian 5.8%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none 1.9% (2000 census)
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Parliamentary democracy with 9 regional corporations, 2 city corporations, 3 borough corporations and 1 ward ; Legal system is based
on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a
five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 February 2008 (next to be held by February 2013); the president usually
appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives
Legislative: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; 16 members appointed by the ruling party, nine by the
President, six by the opposition party to serve a maximum term of five years) and the House of Representatives (36 seats; members
are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held on 24 May 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
Judicial: Supreme Court of Judicature (comprised of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals; the chief justice is
appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other justices are appointed
by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission); High Court of Justice; Caribbean Court of Appeals
member; Court of Appeals; the highest court of appeal is the Privy Council in London
on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a
five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 February 2008 (next to be held by February 2013); the president usually
appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives
Legislative: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; 16 members appointed by the ruling party, nine by the
President, six by the opposition party to serve a maximum term of five years) and the House of Representatives (36 seats; members
are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held on 24 May 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
Judicial: Supreme Court of Judicature (comprised of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals; the chief justice is
appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other justices are appointed
by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission); High Court of Justice; Caribbean Court of Appeals
member; Court of Appeals; the highest court of appeal is the Privy Council in London
| LANGUAGES |
English (official), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish, Chinese
| BRIEF HISTORY |
Human settlement in Trinidad dates back at least 7000 years. The earliest settlers, termed Archaic or Ortoiroid, are believed to
have settled Trinidad from northeastern South America around 5000 BC. Twenty-nine Archaic sites have been identified, mostly in
south Trinidad; this includes the 7000-year-old Banwari Trace site which is the oldest human settlement in the eastern Caribbean.
Archaic populations were pre-ceramic, and dominated the area until about 200 BC. Around 250 BC the first ceramic-using people
in the Caribbean, the Saladoid people, entered Trinidad. Earliest evidence of these people come from around 2100 BC along the
banks of the Orinoco River in Venezuela. After 250 AD a third group, called the Barrancoid people settled in southern Trinidad
after migrating up the Orinoco River toward the sea. The oldest Barrancoid settlement appears to have been at Erin, on the south
coast. Following the collapse of Barrancoid communities along the Orinoco around 650 AD, a new group, called the Arauquinoid
expanded up the river to the coast. The cultural artifacts of this group were only partly adopted in Trinidad and adjacent areas of
northeast Venezuela, and as a result this culture is called Guayabitoid in these areas. Around 1300 AD a new group appears to
have settled in Trinidad and introduced new cultural attributes which largely replaced the Guayabitoid culture. Termed the Mayoid
cultural tradition, this represents the native tribes which were present in Trinidad at the time of European arrival. Their distinct
pottery and artifacts survive until 1800, but after this time they were largely assimilated into mainstream Trinidad society. These
included the Nepoya and Suppoya (who were probably Arawak-speaking) and the Yao (who were probably Carib-speaking).
They have generally been called Arawaks and Caribs. First contact with Europeans, led by Christopher Columbus, took place on
July 31, 1498. Columbus is reported to have promised to name the next land he discovered for the Holy Trinity, and considered it a
miracle when the first land he sighted was the three peaks of the Trinity Hills. Amerindians in Trinidad were initially classified as
friendly (and thus Arawak). The location of Trinidad between the Island Caribs (or Kalinago) of the Lesser Antilles and those of the
South American mainland made the island prone to slave raiding even before Spanish settlement and a more warlike population than
was found among their Taino Arawak kin in the Greater Antilles. Trinidad is reported to have been densely populated at the
beginning of the colonial period. Although in 1510 Trinidad was said to have the only "peaceful Indians" along the whole South
American coast, demand for slaves to supply the pearl-fisheries in nearby Isla Margarita led to them being declared "Caribs" (and
thus, fair game for slavers) in 1511. As a consequence of this Trinidad became the focus of Spanish slaving raids, especially to
supply Margarita's pearl fisheries. Although Spanish settlement began in the sixteenth century, the population in 1783 was less than
three thousand, the majority being Amerindians. In 1783, the proclamation of a Cedula of Population by the Spanish Crown granted
32 acres (129,000 m²) of land to each Roman Catholic who settled in Trinidad and half as much for each slave that they brought.
Uniquely, 16 acres (65,000 m²) was offered to each Free Coloured or Free Person of Colour (gens de couleur libre, as they were
later known), and half as much for each slave they brought. In the tumult of the Haitian and French Revolutions, many people
migrated from the French islands to Trinidad. This resulted in Trinidad having the unique feature of a large French-speaking Free
Coloured slave-owning class. Tobago's development was similar to other plantation islands in the Lesser Antilles and quite different
from Trinidad's. During the colonial period, French, Dutch, British and Courlanders (Latvians) fought over possession of Tobago,
and the island changed hands 22 times - more often than any other West Indian island. For more information on "New Courland"
(1637, 1642, 1654-1659, 1680-1690). The first announcement from Whitehall in England that slaves would be totally freed by
1840 was made in 1833. In the meantime, slaves on plantations were expected to remain where they were and work as
"apprentices" for the next six years. Trinidad demonstrated one of the first successful uses of non-violent protest and passive
resistance almost a hundred years before Mahatma Gandhi's campaign in India. On 1st of August 1834, a unarmed group of mainly
elderly Negroes being addressed by the Governor at Government House about the new laws, began chanting: "Pas de six ans. Point
de six ans" ("Not six years. No six years"), drowning out the voice of the Governor. Peaceful protests continued until a resolution to
abolish apprenticeship was passed and de facto freedom was achieved. In 1839 the British government began a program of
recruiting Indian labourers (or coolies) in Calcutta to be sent to Trinidad and British Guiana, now Guyana. They bound themselves
to work as indentured labourers for a set number of years on the plantations. The film Guiana 1838 takes a close look into this part
of the region's history. The mostly Hindu and Muslim labourers were compelled to work 7 and a half hours a day, six days a week
for 3 years, receiving about 13 cents a day for their work. At first, half of the recruits were women but, in 1840, the proportion was
reduced to a third of the number of men. In 1844, the period of indenture was extended to five years with a guarantee that, if they
wished, they would get a free passage home at the end of their service. In 1853 the law was again amended to allow the indentured
labourers to re-indenture themselves for a second 5 year term or, if they wished, to commute any portion of their contract by
repayment of a proportionate part of their indenture fee. Many Indian immigrants who had completed their indentureship also
established cocoa estates, most notable of them being Haji Gokool Meah, a Kashmiri-born immigrant who went on the become one
of the wealthiest men in Trinidad. The Indian community has steadily prospered and grown until now it makes up about 41% of the
population of the nation (the largest ethnic group by about 1%). The American Merrimac Oil Company drilled what is said to be,
"the first successful well in the world at La Brea in 1857, where oil was struck at 280 feet. Trinidad was ruled as a crown colony
with no elected representation until 1925. In 1958, the United Kingdom tried to establish an independent West Indies Federation
comprising most of the former British West Indies. However, disagreement over the structure of the federation led to Jamaica's
withdrawal. Trinidad and Tobago achieved full independence in August 1962 within the Commonwealth with Queen Elizabeth II as
its titular head of state. In August 1, 1976, the country became a republic, and the last Governor-General, Sir Ellis Clarke, became
the first President. Political difficulties in the post-Black Power era culminated in the "No Vote" campaign of 1971 (which resulted in
the People's National Movement (PNM) winning all the seats in Parliament). In 1973, in the face of a collapsing economy Eric
Williams was prepared to resign as Prime Minister. However, the outbreak of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War led to the recovery of oil
prices and Williams remained in office. The high oil prices of the 1970s and early 1980s led to an oil boom which resulted in a large
increase in salaries, standards of living, and corruption. Williams died in office in 1981. The PNM remained in power following the
death of Dr. Williams, but its 30 year rule ended in 1986 when the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), a multi-ethnic
coalition aimed at uniting Trinidadians of Afro-Trinidadian and Indo-Trinidadian descent, won a landslide victory by capturing 33 of
36 seats. Trinidad and Tobago has remained cooperative with the United States in the regional fight against narcotics trafficking and
on other issues. The serious crime situation in the country has led to a severe deterioration in security conditions in the country. In
addition, a resurgent Jamaat al Muslimeen continues to be a threat to stability. The FBI recently opened an office in Trinidad in
connection with its hunt for Adnan el-Shukrijumah.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Trinidad and Tobago
have settled Trinidad from northeastern South America around 5000 BC. Twenty-nine Archaic sites have been identified, mostly in
south Trinidad; this includes the 7000-year-old Banwari Trace site which is the oldest human settlement in the eastern Caribbean.
Archaic populations were pre-ceramic, and dominated the area until about 200 BC. Around 250 BC the first ceramic-using people
in the Caribbean, the Saladoid people, entered Trinidad. Earliest evidence of these people come from around 2100 BC along the
banks of the Orinoco River in Venezuela. After 250 AD a third group, called the Barrancoid people settled in southern Trinidad
after migrating up the Orinoco River toward the sea. The oldest Barrancoid settlement appears to have been at Erin, on the south
coast. Following the collapse of Barrancoid communities along the Orinoco around 650 AD, a new group, called the Arauquinoid
expanded up the river to the coast. The cultural artifacts of this group were only partly adopted in Trinidad and adjacent areas of
northeast Venezuela, and as a result this culture is called Guayabitoid in these areas. Around 1300 AD a new group appears to
have settled in Trinidad and introduced new cultural attributes which largely replaced the Guayabitoid culture. Termed the Mayoid
cultural tradition, this represents the native tribes which were present in Trinidad at the time of European arrival. Their distinct
pottery and artifacts survive until 1800, but after this time they were largely assimilated into mainstream Trinidad society. These
included the Nepoya and Suppoya (who were probably Arawak-speaking) and the Yao (who were probably Carib-speaking).
They have generally been called Arawaks and Caribs. First contact with Europeans, led by Christopher Columbus, took place on
July 31, 1498. Columbus is reported to have promised to name the next land he discovered for the Holy Trinity, and considered it a
miracle when the first land he sighted was the three peaks of the Trinity Hills. Amerindians in Trinidad were initially classified as
friendly (and thus Arawak). The location of Trinidad between the Island Caribs (or Kalinago) of the Lesser Antilles and those of the
South American mainland made the island prone to slave raiding even before Spanish settlement and a more warlike population than
was found among their Taino Arawak kin in the Greater Antilles. Trinidad is reported to have been densely populated at the
beginning of the colonial period. Although in 1510 Trinidad was said to have the only "peaceful Indians" along the whole South
American coast, demand for slaves to supply the pearl-fisheries in nearby Isla Margarita led to them being declared "Caribs" (and
thus, fair game for slavers) in 1511. As a consequence of this Trinidad became the focus of Spanish slaving raids, especially to
supply Margarita's pearl fisheries. Although Spanish settlement began in the sixteenth century, the population in 1783 was less than
three thousand, the majority being Amerindians. In 1783, the proclamation of a Cedula of Population by the Spanish Crown granted
32 acres (129,000 m²) of land to each Roman Catholic who settled in Trinidad and half as much for each slave that they brought.
Uniquely, 16 acres (65,000 m²) was offered to each Free Coloured or Free Person of Colour (gens de couleur libre, as they were
later known), and half as much for each slave they brought. In the tumult of the Haitian and French Revolutions, many people
migrated from the French islands to Trinidad. This resulted in Trinidad having the unique feature of a large French-speaking Free
Coloured slave-owning class. Tobago's development was similar to other plantation islands in the Lesser Antilles and quite different
from Trinidad's. During the colonial period, French, Dutch, British and Courlanders (Latvians) fought over possession of Tobago,
and the island changed hands 22 times - more often than any other West Indian island. For more information on "New Courland"
(1637, 1642, 1654-1659, 1680-1690). The first announcement from Whitehall in England that slaves would be totally freed by
1840 was made in 1833. In the meantime, slaves on plantations were expected to remain where they were and work as
"apprentices" for the next six years. Trinidad demonstrated one of the first successful uses of non-violent protest and passive
resistance almost a hundred years before Mahatma Gandhi's campaign in India. On 1st of August 1834, a unarmed group of mainly
elderly Negroes being addressed by the Governor at Government House about the new laws, began chanting: "Pas de six ans. Point
de six ans" ("Not six years. No six years"), drowning out the voice of the Governor. Peaceful protests continued until a resolution to
abolish apprenticeship was passed and de facto freedom was achieved. In 1839 the British government began a program of
recruiting Indian labourers (or coolies) in Calcutta to be sent to Trinidad and British Guiana, now Guyana. They bound themselves
to work as indentured labourers for a set number of years on the plantations. The film Guiana 1838 takes a close look into this part
of the region's history. The mostly Hindu and Muslim labourers were compelled to work 7 and a half hours a day, six days a week
for 3 years, receiving about 13 cents a day for their work. At first, half of the recruits were women but, in 1840, the proportion was
reduced to a third of the number of men. In 1844, the period of indenture was extended to five years with a guarantee that, if they
wished, they would get a free passage home at the end of their service. In 1853 the law was again amended to allow the indentured
labourers to re-indenture themselves for a second 5 year term or, if they wished, to commute any portion of their contract by
repayment of a proportionate part of their indenture fee. Many Indian immigrants who had completed their indentureship also
established cocoa estates, most notable of them being Haji Gokool Meah, a Kashmiri-born immigrant who went on the become one
of the wealthiest men in Trinidad. The Indian community has steadily prospered and grown until now it makes up about 41% of the
population of the nation (the largest ethnic group by about 1%). The American Merrimac Oil Company drilled what is said to be,
"the first successful well in the world at La Brea in 1857, where oil was struck at 280 feet. Trinidad was ruled as a crown colony
with no elected representation until 1925. In 1958, the United Kingdom tried to establish an independent West Indies Federation
comprising most of the former British West Indies. However, disagreement over the structure of the federation led to Jamaica's
withdrawal. Trinidad and Tobago achieved full independence in August 1962 within the Commonwealth with Queen Elizabeth II as
its titular head of state. In August 1, 1976, the country became a republic, and the last Governor-General, Sir Ellis Clarke, became
the first President. Political difficulties in the post-Black Power era culminated in the "No Vote" campaign of 1971 (which resulted in
the People's National Movement (PNM) winning all the seats in Parliament). In 1973, in the face of a collapsing economy Eric
Williams was prepared to resign as Prime Minister. However, the outbreak of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War led to the recovery of oil
prices and Williams remained in office. The high oil prices of the 1970s and early 1980s led to an oil boom which resulted in a large
increase in salaries, standards of living, and corruption. Williams died in office in 1981. The PNM remained in power following the
death of Dr. Williams, but its 30 year rule ended in 1986 when the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), a multi-ethnic
coalition aimed at uniting Trinidadians of Afro-Trinidadian and Indo-Trinidadian descent, won a landslide victory by capturing 33 of
36 seats. Trinidad and Tobago has remained cooperative with the United States in the regional fight against narcotics trafficking and
on other issues. The serious crime situation in the country has led to a severe deterioration in security conditions in the country. In
addition, a resurgent Jamaat al Muslimeen continues to be a threat to stability. The FBI recently opened an office in Trinidad in
connection with its hunt for Adnan el-Shukrijumah.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Trinidad and Tobago
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses and has one of the highest
growth rates and per capita incomes in Latin America. Economic growth between 2000 and 2007 averaged slightly over 8%,
significantly above the regional average of about 3.7% for that same period; however, it has slowed down since then and contracted
about 3.5% in 2009. Growth has been fueled by investments in liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemicals, and steel. Additional
petrochemical, aluminum, and plastics projects are in various stages of planning. Trinidad and Tobago is the leading Caribbean
producer of oil and gas, and its economy is heavily dependent upon these resources but it also supplies manufactured goods,
notably food products and beverages, as well as cement to the Caribbean region. Oil and gas account for about 40% of GDP and
80% of exports, but only 5% of employment. The country is also a regional financial center, and tourism is a growing sector,
although it is not as important domestically as it is to many other Caribbean islands. The economy benefits from a growing trade
surplus. The MANNING administration has benefited from fiscal surpluses fueled by the dynamic export sector; however, declines
in oil and gas prices have reduced government revenues which will challenge his government's commitment to maintaining high levels
of public investment.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Trinidad and Tobago)
growth rates and per capita incomes in Latin America. Economic growth between 2000 and 2007 averaged slightly over 8%,
significantly above the regional average of about 3.7% for that same period; however, it has slowed down since then and contracted
about 3.5% in 2009. Growth has been fueled by investments in liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemicals, and steel. Additional
petrochemical, aluminum, and plastics projects are in various stages of planning. Trinidad and Tobago is the leading Caribbean
producer of oil and gas, and its economy is heavily dependent upon these resources but it also supplies manufactured goods,
notably food products and beverages, as well as cement to the Caribbean region. Oil and gas account for about 40% of GDP and
80% of exports, but only 5% of employment. The country is also a regional financial center, and tourism is a growing sector,
although it is not as important domestically as it is to many other Caribbean islands. The economy benefits from a growing trade
surplus. The MANNING administration has benefited from fiscal surpluses fueled by the dynamic export sector; however, declines
in oil and gas prices have reduced government revenues which will challenge his government's commitment to maintaining high levels
of public investment.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Trinidad and Tobago)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
The general direction and control of the government rests with the Cabinet, led by a Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and
Cabinet are answerable (at least in theory) to the House of Representatives. The 36 members of the House are elected to terms of
at least five years. Elections may be called earlier by the president at the request of the prime minister or after a vote of no
confidence in the House of Representatives. In 1976, the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18. Tobago was given a measure of
self-government in 1980 and is governed by the Tobago House of Assembly. In 1996, Parliament passed legislation which gave
Tobago greater self-government. In 2005 Parliament approved a proposal by the independent Elections and Boundaries
Commission to increase the number of seats in the House of Representatives from 36 to 41.
Party politics have generally run along ethnic lines, with most Afro-Trinidadians supporting the People's National Movement (PNM)
and most Indo-Trinidadians supporting various Indian-majority parties, such as the United National Congress (UNC) or its
predecessors. Most political parties, however, have sought to broaden their purview.
In recent months a new political presence has emerged called Congress of The People (COP). The majority of this membership
was formed from former UNC members . The COP however failed to capture a single seat in the recent 2007 elections.
On April 9th 2010 Prime Minister Patrick Manning advised President George Maxwell Richards to dissolve Parliament resulting in
a General Election to be held 2 years sooner than was constitutionally mandated. Prime Minister Patrick Manning later announced
May 24th as the date for general elections. On May 24th Manning along with the PNM lost the National election to The People's
Partnership (UNC,COP,TOP). Following the defeat, there were many calls for his resignation from the party. On 27 May he
officially resigned as Political Leader of PNM. After Patrick Manning left the PNM DR.Keth Rowley took over and is now leader
of the PNM.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Trinidad and Tobago
Cabinet are answerable (at least in theory) to the House of Representatives. The 36 members of the House are elected to terms of
at least five years. Elections may be called earlier by the president at the request of the prime minister or after a vote of no
confidence in the House of Representatives. In 1976, the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18. Tobago was given a measure of
self-government in 1980 and is governed by the Tobago House of Assembly. In 1996, Parliament passed legislation which gave
Tobago greater self-government. In 2005 Parliament approved a proposal by the independent Elections and Boundaries
Commission to increase the number of seats in the House of Representatives from 36 to 41.
Party politics have generally run along ethnic lines, with most Afro-Trinidadians supporting the People's National Movement (PNM)
and most Indo-Trinidadians supporting various Indian-majority parties, such as the United National Congress (UNC) or its
predecessors. Most political parties, however, have sought to broaden their purview.
In recent months a new political presence has emerged called Congress of The People (COP). The majority of this membership
was formed from former UNC members . The COP however failed to capture a single seat in the recent 2007 elections.
On April 9th 2010 Prime Minister Patrick Manning advised President George Maxwell Richards to dissolve Parliament resulting in
a General Election to be held 2 years sooner than was constitutionally mandated. Prime Minister Patrick Manning later announced
May 24th as the date for general elections. On May 24th Manning along with the PNM lost the National election to The People's
Partnership (UNC,COP,TOP). Following the defeat, there were many calls for his resignation from the party. On 27 May he
officially resigned as Political Leader of PNM. After Patrick Manning left the PNM DR.Keth Rowley took over and is now leader
of the PNM.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Trinidad and Tobago
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
In April 2006, the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a decision that delimited a maritime boundary with Trinidad and Tobago
and compelled Barbados to enter a fishing agreement that limited Barbadian fishermen's catches of flying fish in Trinidad and
Tobago's exclusive economic zone; in 2005, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to compulsory international arbitration
under UNCLOS challenging whether the northern limit of Trinidad and Tobago's and Venezuela's maritime boundary extends into
Barbadian waters; Guyana has also expressed its intention to include itself in the arbitration as the Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela
maritime boundary may extend into its waters as well
and compelled Barbados to enter a fishing agreement that limited Barbadian fishermen's catches of flying fish in Trinidad and
Tobago's exclusive economic zone; in 2005, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to compulsory international arbitration
under UNCLOS challenging whether the northern limit of Trinidad and Tobago's and Venezuela's maritime boundary extends into
Barbadian waters; Guyana has also expressed its intention to include itself in the arbitration as the Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela
maritime boundary may extend into its waters as well
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: Trinidad and Tobago
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Trinidad and Tobago is a parliamentary democracy governed by a prime minister and a bicameral legislature, with a population of
approximately 1.3 million. Tobago has a House of Assembly that has some administrative autonomy over local matters on that island. In
the 2007 elections, which observers considered generally free and fair, Prime Minister Patrick Manning's People's National Movement
(PNM) secured a 26- to 15-seat victory over the United National Congress (UNC). 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 some areas:
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Trinidad and Tobago is a parliamentary democracy governed by a prime minister and a bicameral legislature, with a population of
approximately 1.3 million. Tobago has a House of Assembly that has some administrative autonomy over local matters on that island. In
the 2007 elections, which observers considered generally free and fair, Prime Minister Patrick Manning's People's National Movement
(PNM) secured a 26- to 15-seat victory over the United National Congress (UNC). 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 some areas:
- police killings during apprehension or custody,
- inmate illness and injuries due to poor prison conditions,
- high-profile cases of alleged bribery,
- violence against women,
- inadequate services for vulnerable children,
- unsafe working conditions.
17 March 2006
COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Forty-first session
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION
Concluding observations: Trinidad and Tobago
Introduction
2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the State party’s informative and comprehensive report and the written replies to its list
of issues (CRC/C/TTO/Q/2), which gave a clearer understanding of the situation of children in the State party. The Committee further
notes with appreciation the open dialogue it had with the high-level delegation.
Positive aspects
3. The Committee notes the enactment of the following laws aimed at enhancing the implementation of the Convention:
(a) Children’s Authority Act (No. 64 of 2000), establishing a body responsible for receiving complaints from children in alternative care;
(b) Children’s Community Residences, Foster Homes and Nurseries Act (No. 65 of 2000), aimed to ensure compliance of all children’s
homes with existing rules and standards;
Principal areas of concern and recommendations
Previous recommendations
8. The Committee regrets that some of the recommendations in its concluding observations (CRC/C/15/Add.82) adopted following
consideration of the State party’s initial report (CRC/C/11/Add.10) have been given insufficient follow-up, particularly those relating to
coordination; data collection; resource allocation for children; abuse, ill-treatment and domestic violence; corporal punishment; alternative
care; reproductive health; education; street children; child labour; and administration of juvenile justice. Those recommendations are
reiterated in the present document.
9. The Committee urges the State party to make every effort to address the recommendations contained in the concluding observations
on the initial report that have not yet been implemented and to implement the concerns contained in the present concluding observations.
Legislation
10. While welcoming the set of legislation enacted in 2000 to harmonize the domestic laws with the Convention, the Committee is deeply
concerned that these laws have not entered into force, except for the Miscellaneous Provisions (Children) Act (No. 66 of 2000).
11. The Committee recommends that the State party take all appropriate measures to have these laws promulgated and to facilitate their
speedy entry into force.
Click here to read more »
COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Forty-first session
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION
Concluding observations: Trinidad and Tobago
Introduction
2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the State party’s informative and comprehensive report and the written replies to its list
of issues (CRC/C/TTO/Q/2), which gave a clearer understanding of the situation of children in the State party. The Committee further
notes with appreciation the open dialogue it had with the high-level delegation.
Positive aspects
3. The Committee notes the enactment of the following laws aimed at enhancing the implementation of the Convention:
(a) Children’s Authority Act (No. 64 of 2000), establishing a body responsible for receiving complaints from children in alternative care;
(b) Children’s Community Residences, Foster Homes and Nurseries Act (No. 65 of 2000), aimed to ensure compliance of all children’s
homes with existing rules and standards;
Principal areas of concern and recommendations
Previous recommendations
8. The Committee regrets that some of the recommendations in its concluding observations (CRC/C/15/Add.82) adopted following
consideration of the State party’s initial report (CRC/C/11/Add.10) have been given insufficient follow-up, particularly those relating to
coordination; data collection; resource allocation for children; abuse, ill-treatment and domestic violence; corporal punishment; alternative
care; reproductive health; education; street children; child labour; and administration of juvenile justice. Those recommendations are
reiterated in the present document.
9. The Committee urges the State party to make every effort to address the recommendations contained in the concluding observations
on the initial report that have not yet been implemented and to implement the concerns contained in the present concluding observations.
Legislation
10. While welcoming the set of legislation enacted in 2000 to harmonize the domestic laws with the Convention, the Committee is deeply
concerned that these laws have not entered into force, except for the Miscellaneous Provisions (Children) Act (No. 66 of 2000).
11. The Committee recommends that the State party take all appropriate measures to have these laws promulgated and to facilitate their
speedy entry into force.
Click here to read more »
Freedom In The World 2010 Report
Political Rights Score: 2
Civil Liberties Score: 2
Status: Free
Overview
In 2009, Trinidad and Tobago enjoyed the international spotlight by hosting the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Port-of-Spain.
However, political and security difficulties continued to fester, including cases of political corruption and violent crime.
Trinidad and Tobago, a member of the Commonwealth, achieved independence from Britain in 1962 and became a republic in 1976.
Prime Minister Patrick Manning of the People’s National Movement (PNM) returned to the premiership in December 2001 after a
previous term in office from 1991 to 1995. Disputed elections in 2001 resulted in an evenly divided lower house, and Manning sought to
break the deadlock by calling fresh elections in October 2002. The PNM won 20 of the chamber’s 36 seats, but the opposition United
National Congress (UNC) also had a strong showing, reinforcing the dominance of the two parties.
Former prime minister Basdeo Panday was sentenced to two years of hard labor in April 2006 for having failed to declare London bank
accounts that he held while serving as prime minister in the late 1990s. He retained the UNC chairmanship while appealing his conviction,
which was overturned in April 2007. Nevertheless, the UNC was embroiled in infighting, and several high-level defections fueled
speculation that a three-party system could emerge.In September 2006, former UNC leader Winston Dookeran created a new party,
Congress of the People.
Manning handily won another term in office in the November 2007 elections, with the PNM capturing 26 of the 41 seats in the lower
house. The UNC won the remaining 15, leaving Congress of the People shut out of Parliament. About half of the country’s one million
registered voters cast their ballots, a lower turnout than in previous elections.
Violent crime rates remained among the highest in the region, but dropped slightly to 509 homicides in 2009, down from a high of 550
the previous year. In addition, Amnesty International reported that police had killed more than 40 people in 2008, and singled out the
country for condemnation of extra-judicial police killings. Most investigations of extrajudicial crimes go unpunished, with only 6 percent
resulting in charges filed against the police since 1999.
In 2009, Trinidad and Tobago gained international attention by hosting the Fifth Summit of the Americas, a major quadrennial gathering
of the 34 elected heads of government from the Western Hemisphere. While the government tried to frame the summit as a major
diplomatic achievement, popular discontent with the costs of the event and the related disruptions for security purposes cut into
Manning’s support.
Click here to read more »
Political Rights Score: 2
Civil Liberties Score: 2
Status: Free
Overview
In 2009, Trinidad and Tobago enjoyed the international spotlight by hosting the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Port-of-Spain.
However, political and security difficulties continued to fester, including cases of political corruption and violent crime.
Trinidad and Tobago, a member of the Commonwealth, achieved independence from Britain in 1962 and became a republic in 1976.
Prime Minister Patrick Manning of the People’s National Movement (PNM) returned to the premiership in December 2001 after a
previous term in office from 1991 to 1995. Disputed elections in 2001 resulted in an evenly divided lower house, and Manning sought to
break the deadlock by calling fresh elections in October 2002. The PNM won 20 of the chamber’s 36 seats, but the opposition United
National Congress (UNC) also had a strong showing, reinforcing the dominance of the two parties.
Former prime minister Basdeo Panday was sentenced to two years of hard labor in April 2006 for having failed to declare London bank
accounts that he held while serving as prime minister in the late 1990s. He retained the UNC chairmanship while appealing his conviction,
which was overturned in April 2007. Nevertheless, the UNC was embroiled in infighting, and several high-level defections fueled
speculation that a three-party system could emerge.In September 2006, former UNC leader Winston Dookeran created a new party,
Congress of the People.
Manning handily won another term in office in the November 2007 elections, with the PNM capturing 26 of the 41 seats in the lower
house. The UNC won the remaining 15, leaving Congress of the People shut out of Parliament. About half of the country’s one million
registered voters cast their ballots, a lower turnout than in previous elections.
Violent crime rates remained among the highest in the region, but dropped slightly to 509 homicides in 2009, down from a high of 550
the previous year. In addition, Amnesty International reported that police had killed more than 40 people in 2008, and singled out the
country for condemnation of extra-judicial police killings. Most investigations of extrajudicial crimes go unpunished, with only 6 percent
resulting in charges filed against the police since 1999.
In 2009, Trinidad and Tobago gained international attention by hosting the Fifth Summit of the Americas, a major quadrennial gathering
of the 34 elected heads of government from the Western Hemisphere. While the government tried to frame the summit as a major
diplomatic achievement, popular discontent with the costs of the event and the related disruptions for security purposes cut into
Manning’s support.
Click here to read more »
05 August 2009
URGENT ACTION
RONALD TIWARIE STILL IN DANGER OF EXECUTION
Ronald Tiwarie has now been on death row beyond the five-year limit set down by the Privy Council as marking the beginning of cruel
and inhuman treatment.
No one has been executed in Trinidad and Tobago after spending more than five years on death row since the Privy Council ruled in
1993 that this would amount to cruel and inhuman treatment. Ronald Tiwarie completed his fifth year on death row on 4 August, but will
not be safe from execution until his sentence is commuted, either by the High Court, or by a presidential pardon.
The High Court is scheduled to meet on 29 September, when it may commute Ronald Tiwarie's sentence to life imprisonment. The
president has the power to pardon him, by way of commuting his sentence. Trinidad and Tobago has not executed anyone since 1999.
The world is turning away from the use of death penalty: 139 countries have now abolished the death penalty in law or practice
and only 25 nations carried out executions in 2008. Trinidad and Tobago, however, along with the 11 other English-speaking
Caribbean nations, voted on 18 December 2008 against the UN General Assembly resolution 63/168 calling for a global
moratorium on executions. The English-speaking Caribbean made up almost a quarter of the countries who voted against the
moratorium.
The execution of Charles Elroy Laplace in St Kitts and Nevis in December 2008 was the first in the English-speaking Caribbean
since 2000. His execution has sparked fears that other English-speaking Caribbean nations will follow suit as pressure grows on
the region's governments to be seen to be tackling an increase in violent crime. In May 2007 the Prime Minister of Trinidad and
Tobago said publicly that he wanted hangings resumed, saying that he believed "capital punishment is an essential element in
crime fighting." In June 2009 he blamed delays in carrying out executions on restrictions imposed by Privy Council rulings.
Trinidad and Tobago suffers from high levels of violent crime – there were 545 reported homicides in 2008, a rise of 39% over
2007. Scientific studies have consistently found no convincing evidence that the death penalty deters crime more effectively
than other punishments. The most recent survey of research findings on the relation between the death penalty and homicide
rates, conducted for the UN in 1988 and updated in 1996 and 2002, concluded that "research has failed to provide scientific
proof that executions have a greater deterrent effect than life imprisonment."
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty as a violation of the right to life and the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading
punishment. The organization recognizes the duty of governments to tackle violent crime but believes that the death penalty is by
nature ineffective and arbitrary, and is not an effective deterrent to crime. The application of death penalty inevitably leads to
inconsistencies and errors, inescapable flaws which are exacerbated by discrimination, prosecutorial misconduct and inadequate
legal representation. It brutalizes those involved in the process of executions and wider society as a whole. The organization
believes that the rise in crime affecting much of the Caribbean will only be solved by addressing urgent reforms to police and
justice systems, not with state killings.
Click here to read more »
URGENT ACTION
RONALD TIWARIE STILL IN DANGER OF EXECUTION
Ronald Tiwarie has now been on death row beyond the five-year limit set down by the Privy Council as marking the beginning of cruel
and inhuman treatment.
No one has been executed in Trinidad and Tobago after spending more than five years on death row since the Privy Council ruled in
1993 that this would amount to cruel and inhuman treatment. Ronald Tiwarie completed his fifth year on death row on 4 August, but will
not be safe from execution until his sentence is commuted, either by the High Court, or by a presidential pardon.
The High Court is scheduled to meet on 29 September, when it may commute Ronald Tiwarie's sentence to life imprisonment. The
president has the power to pardon him, by way of commuting his sentence. Trinidad and Tobago has not executed anyone since 1999.
The world is turning away from the use of death penalty: 139 countries have now abolished the death penalty in law or practice
and only 25 nations carried out executions in 2008. Trinidad and Tobago, however, along with the 11 other English-speaking
Caribbean nations, voted on 18 December 2008 against the UN General Assembly resolution 63/168 calling for a global
moratorium on executions. The English-speaking Caribbean made up almost a quarter of the countries who voted against the
moratorium.
The execution of Charles Elroy Laplace in St Kitts and Nevis in December 2008 was the first in the English-speaking Caribbean
since 2000. His execution has sparked fears that other English-speaking Caribbean nations will follow suit as pressure grows on
the region's governments to be seen to be tackling an increase in violent crime. In May 2007 the Prime Minister of Trinidad and
Tobago said publicly that he wanted hangings resumed, saying that he believed "capital punishment is an essential element in
crime fighting." In June 2009 he blamed delays in carrying out executions on restrictions imposed by Privy Council rulings.
Trinidad and Tobago suffers from high levels of violent crime – there were 545 reported homicides in 2008, a rise of 39% over
2007. Scientific studies have consistently found no convincing evidence that the death penalty deters crime more effectively
than other punishments. The most recent survey of research findings on the relation between the death penalty and homicide
rates, conducted for the UN in 1988 and updated in 1996 and 2002, concluded that "research has failed to provide scientific
proof that executions have a greater deterrent effect than life imprisonment."
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty as a violation of the right to life and the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading
punishment. The organization recognizes the duty of governments to tackle violent crime but believes that the death penalty is by
nature ineffective and arbitrary, and is not an effective deterrent to crime. The application of death penalty inevitably leads to
inconsistencies and errors, inescapable flaws which are exacerbated by discrimination, prosecutorial misconduct and inadequate
legal representation. It brutalizes those involved in the process of executions and wider society as a whole. The organization
believes that the rise in crime affecting much of the Caribbean will only be solved by addressing urgent reforms to police and
justice systems, not with state killings.
Click here to read more »
The Commonwealth is a Jamboree of Repression
The Commonwealth has developed a 21st-century role – as a haven for serial human rights abusers
by Tom Porteous, London director
Published in:
The Guardian (UK)
November 24, 2009
What's the point of the Commonwealth? Every two years the question comes around in the run-up to the Commonwealth heads of
government meeting. Then everyone goes home and forgets about it until the next one.
Starved of cash and political attention, the Commonwealth becomes ever more marginal. Even the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth
Office hardly mentions it in major foreign policy pronouncements.
But is the Commonwealth redundant? Or is it, as Lord Howell, a Tory former chair of the foreign affairs committee, said recently, an
"ideal soft power network" for the multipolar world?
The answer depends on whether the Commonwealth can muster the collective political will to uphold its core values of political freedom
and respect for human rights. In the past it has punished errant members: apartheid South Africa was excluded; Nigeria was suspended
in 1995 after the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa; Pakistan was suspended after General Musharraf's coup d'etat in 1999, and again in
2007; Zimbabwe was suspended in 2002, and withdrew from the organisation the following year.
However, in recent years the collective political will of Commonwealth members to promote human rights has all but evaporated. Only
the tiny Pacific nation of Fiji, suspended following a coup in 2006, will be excluded from this month's Commonwealth jamboree in
Trinidad. And beyond the summits the Commonwealth has become even more pusillanimous.
Its secretariat fails to push or fund its human rights unit as a viable mechanism to encourage its members to comply with international
standards; neither the secretary-general nor the diplomats of leading member states make a serious effort to get the Commonwealth to
act collectively at the UN and elsewhere to champion human rights.
Over the past six years, the Sri Lankan government - presiding over serious violations of the laws of war and a vicious assault on its
critics - has even sat on the Commonwealth ministerial action group, responsible for enforcing members' compliance with the
Commonwealth's core values. There could be no better symbol of its failure to protect human rights and political freedoms.
Pakistan and Bangladesh, with a nod from London and Washington, use the real threat of terrorism to justify abuses such as torture and
illegal detention. Kenya deliberately avoids accountability for serious abuses during the post-election violence in 2007. Cameroon, Uganda
and the Gambia intimidate human rights defenders and journalists.
Beyond failing to deal with the rights abusers and fake democrats in its midst, the Commonwealth is actively encouraging applications by
repressive governments such as Rwanda which do not meet the Commonwealth's own criteria for membership as set out in the 1991
Harare declaration. The likely approval of its application at this year's summit will send a strong message that the Commonwealth is
turning its back on human rights and political freedom.
If the Commonwealth is to become relevant in the 21st century, it must set itself in opposition to the gathering forces of intolerance and
authoritarianism. As a global, multifaith, multiracial network of genuinely rights-respecting states, the Commonwealth could be a
powerful symbol of the universality of human rights and a champion of their protection. But that means first engaging constructively
with its own members on their shortcomings, taking strong action against serial abusers, and refusing to accept new members unless
they are genuinely committed to human rights and democracy.
Click here to read more »
The Commonwealth has developed a 21st-century role – as a haven for serial human rights abusers
by Tom Porteous, London director
Published in:
The Guardian (UK)
November 24, 2009
What's the point of the Commonwealth? Every two years the question comes around in the run-up to the Commonwealth heads of
government meeting. Then everyone goes home and forgets about it until the next one.
Starved of cash and political attention, the Commonwealth becomes ever more marginal. Even the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth
Office hardly mentions it in major foreign policy pronouncements.
But is the Commonwealth redundant? Or is it, as Lord Howell, a Tory former chair of the foreign affairs committee, said recently, an
"ideal soft power network" for the multipolar world?
The answer depends on whether the Commonwealth can muster the collective political will to uphold its core values of political freedom
and respect for human rights. In the past it has punished errant members: apartheid South Africa was excluded; Nigeria was suspended
in 1995 after the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa; Pakistan was suspended after General Musharraf's coup d'etat in 1999, and again in
2007; Zimbabwe was suspended in 2002, and withdrew from the organisation the following year.
However, in recent years the collective political will of Commonwealth members to promote human rights has all but evaporated. Only
the tiny Pacific nation of Fiji, suspended following a coup in 2006, will be excluded from this month's Commonwealth jamboree in
Trinidad. And beyond the summits the Commonwealth has become even more pusillanimous.
Its secretariat fails to push or fund its human rights unit as a viable mechanism to encourage its members to comply with international
standards; neither the secretary-general nor the diplomats of leading member states make a serious effort to get the Commonwealth to
act collectively at the UN and elsewhere to champion human rights.
Over the past six years, the Sri Lankan government - presiding over serious violations of the laws of war and a vicious assault on its
critics - has even sat on the Commonwealth ministerial action group, responsible for enforcing members' compliance with the
Commonwealth's core values. There could be no better symbol of its failure to protect human rights and political freedoms.
Pakistan and Bangladesh, with a nod from London and Washington, use the real threat of terrorism to justify abuses such as torture and
illegal detention. Kenya deliberately avoids accountability for serious abuses during the post-election violence in 2007. Cameroon, Uganda
and the Gambia intimidate human rights defenders and journalists.
Beyond failing to deal with the rights abusers and fake democrats in its midst, the Commonwealth is actively encouraging applications by
repressive governments such as Rwanda which do not meet the Commonwealth's own criteria for membership as set out in the 1991
Harare declaration. The likely approval of its application at this year's summit will send a strong message that the Commonwealth is
turning its back on human rights and political freedom.
If the Commonwealth is to become relevant in the 21st century, it must set itself in opposition to the gathering forces of intolerance and
authoritarianism. As a global, multifaith, multiracial network of genuinely rights-respecting states, the Commonwealth could be a
powerful symbol of the universality of human rights and a champion of their protection. But that means first engaging constructively
with its own members on their shortcomings, taking strong action against serial abusers, and refusing to accept new members unless
they are genuinely committed to human rights and democracy.
Click here to read more »
CARICOM SUMMIT-Trinidad PM holds talks with UN Secretary General
Wednesday, 07 July 2010 04:31
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, CMC - Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has held talks with United Nations
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on a number of issues, according to an official statement issued here.
The statement issued by the Office of the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister said that Ban had requested the meeting “to discuss
matters of importance to the region and to Trinidad and Tobago, in particular”.
It said at the meeting held on the fringes of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit here on Monday, Ban noted that social
stability in the region is challenged by criminal activity, narco-trafficking and trans-national crime.
He offered to provide technical and logistical support to Trinidad and Tobago through the offices of the United Nations in Port of Spain
and UN Office for Drug and Crime (UNODC) to deal with these challenges.
“The Secretary General and the Prime Minister shared common concerns about climate change and environment,” the statement said,
adding that discussions were also held on Persad-Bissessar’s proposals on the Petroleum Fund that is funded by Port of Spain to help
disadvantaged CARICOM countries.
In her address to the opening ceremony of the summit, the newly-elected Prime Minister had said the fund could be better be addressed
by the establishment of a Pan Caribbean Life Fund for Children, a regional plan for the environment and women and development.
“In light of the concerns expressed by the Prime Minister, a call was made on the Secretary General to provide technical assistance for
the future administration of the fund.
“In addition he was asked to examine how the United Nations could assist with linking medical institutions worldwide with Caribbean
medical institutions to provide surgery to children,” the statement added.
Click here to read more »
Wednesday, 07 July 2010 04:31
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, CMC - Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has held talks with United Nations
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on a number of issues, according to an official statement issued here.
The statement issued by the Office of the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister said that Ban had requested the meeting “to discuss
matters of importance to the region and to Trinidad and Tobago, in particular”.
It said at the meeting held on the fringes of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit here on Monday, Ban noted that social
stability in the region is challenged by criminal activity, narco-trafficking and trans-national crime.
He offered to provide technical and logistical support to Trinidad and Tobago through the offices of the United Nations in Port of Spain
and UN Office for Drug and Crime (UNODC) to deal with these challenges.
“The Secretary General and the Prime Minister shared common concerns about climate change and environment,” the statement said,
adding that discussions were also held on Persad-Bissessar’s proposals on the Petroleum Fund that is funded by Port of Spain to help
disadvantaged CARICOM countries.
In her address to the opening ceremony of the summit, the newly-elected Prime Minister had said the fund could be better be addressed
by the establishment of a Pan Caribbean Life Fund for Children, a regional plan for the environment and women and development.
“In light of the concerns expressed by the Prime Minister, a call was made on the Secretary General to provide technical assistance for
the future administration of the fund.
“In addition he was asked to examine how the United Nations could assist with linking medical institutions worldwide with Caribbean
medical institutions to provide surgery to children,” the statement added.
Click here to read more »
THE OMBUDSMAN NEWSLETTER
VOLUME III
MAY 2010
Burning Questions About Trinidad &Tobago’s Ombudsman
What does an Ombudsman do?
The principal function of the Ombudsman is to investigate complaints from citizens about the administrative actions of government
departments and institutions. The Office was established solely for the purpose of assisting persons who believe they have suffered
injustices at the hands of public officers.
The Ombudsman:
Where a complaint is justified, the Ombudsman can suggest or recommend a remedy.
The Ombudsman’s Services Are Free!!
Who Can Complain and How?
Any individual can make a complaint. Actual complaints must be made in writing (via the prescribed form); but individuals are
encouraged to make prior enquiries and requests for advice/ information by telephone, fax or email, or by visiting the Ombudsman's
Office or attending the community-based sessions hosted by the Ombudsman and/or her investigative staff. An
on-line version of our complaint form is available at our internet website.
Which Public Bodies can the
Ombudsman Investigate?
Are There Areas That the Ombudsman Cannot Investigate?
The Ombudsman may not investigate the following matters, among others:-
VOLUME III
MAY 2010
Burning Questions About Trinidad &Tobago’s Ombudsman
What does an Ombudsman do?
The principal function of the Ombudsman is to investigate complaints from citizens about the administrative actions of government
departments and institutions. The Office was established solely for the purpose of assisting persons who believe they have suffered
injustices at the hands of public officers.
The Ombudsman:
- is independent and impartial
- An has power to investigate the actions and decisions of government agencies to see if they are wrong, unjust, unlawful or
discriminatory - works to improve public administration generally.
Where a complaint is justified, the Ombudsman can suggest or recommend a remedy.
The Ombudsman’s Services Are Free!!
Who Can Complain and How?
Any individual can make a complaint. Actual complaints must be made in writing (via the prescribed form); but individuals are
encouraged to make prior enquiries and requests for advice/ information by telephone, fax or email, or by visiting the Ombudsman's
Office or attending the community-based sessions hosted by the Ombudsman and/or her investigative staff. An
on-line version of our complaint form is available at our internet website.
Which Public Bodies can the
Ombudsman Investigate?
- Central Government Ministries, Departments and Offices
- Local Government Authorities
- Statutory Authorities and Agencies
Are There Areas That the Ombudsman Cannot Investigate?
The Ombudsman may not investigate the following matters, among others:-
- Disputes between private individuals/companies.
- Personnel matters related to service in any office or employment in the public service.
- Any matter related to persons who are members of the armed services, with regard to their terms and conditions, orders or
- Proceedings and decisions of the Courts of Trinidad and Tobago.
- Matters related to contractual or commercial transactions with a Government department.
Official Newsletter of the Network of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) of Trinidad and Tobago for the Advancement
of Women
2010/3
Engendering Local Government in Trinidad and Tobago
PUT A WOMAN TO WORK FOR YOU IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The 2010 local government elections will be held, after a delay of four years, on Monday 26th July 2010. The number of seats has been
increased to 135, in 14 municipal corporations in Trinidad.
At present there are 38 women out of 124 elected councilors and 5 aldermen out of 31 positions, in local government. While this
represents a 100% increase over the 1996 figure, we are advocating a 50-50 participation. That is 67 elected councilors and 16
aldermen. There are three councils, Mayaro and Penal/Debe, which have no women councilors, elected or aldermen and Siparia which
has no elected councillors and only one alderman.
We are also demanding a woman Mayor for Port of Spain which has never had a woman Mayor. There are also only one Mayor
(Chaguanas), one Deputy Mayor (San Fernando), and one Chairman (Tunapuna).
In order to contribute to the engendering of local government, we are continuing our political skills training workshops which are part of
our ‘Put a Woman Project’. This project elaborates the strategy to increase women’s participation in decision making to meet the need
for women’s empowerment and increased participation in the political process, expressed in the Program of Action of the Population
Conference, the Social Summit, the SIDS Conference and the Beijing Platform. The first phase of the project was successfully
completed in August 1995.
The project’s short term goals were as follows:
• To provide a critical mass of competent, effective, gender sensitive, committed women politicians to influence decision making in local
political bodies through their direct participation as elected or appointed representatives.
• To prepare an enabling environment for women’s effective participation in the decision making process at local government
The project is non-partisan. Women from all parties will be invited to participate. The participation is not limited to potential candidates,
but also open to women who would manage, work with and support the campaigns of the women in their region.
It is expected that there would be increased demands for more women to be selected, as candidates in local government elections
and for more women to represent political parties on advisory bodies. We also advocate for more women to attend and participate in the
sittings of their regional corporations.
We were therefore looking for increased support for women candidates so that in 2010 we can achieve a 50% result or 67 women
elected among all parties and in all the councils. We also expected that in the elections of aldermen there would also be a balance (16) in
the number of men and women chosen.
There has also never been a woman Mayor of Port of Spain and we were advocating that the year 2000 finds a woman wearing the
Chain of Honour signifying leadership of our capital city.
Click here to read more>>
of Women
2010/3
Engendering Local Government in Trinidad and Tobago
PUT A WOMAN TO WORK FOR YOU IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The 2010 local government elections will be held, after a delay of four years, on Monday 26th July 2010. The number of seats has been
increased to 135, in 14 municipal corporations in Trinidad.
At present there are 38 women out of 124 elected councilors and 5 aldermen out of 31 positions, in local government. While this
represents a 100% increase over the 1996 figure, we are advocating a 50-50 participation. That is 67 elected councilors and 16
aldermen. There are three councils, Mayaro and Penal/Debe, which have no women councilors, elected or aldermen and Siparia which
has no elected councillors and only one alderman.
We are also demanding a woman Mayor for Port of Spain which has never had a woman Mayor. There are also only one Mayor
(Chaguanas), one Deputy Mayor (San Fernando), and one Chairman (Tunapuna).
In order to contribute to the engendering of local government, we are continuing our political skills training workshops which are part of
our ‘Put a Woman Project’. This project elaborates the strategy to increase women’s participation in decision making to meet the need
for women’s empowerment and increased participation in the political process, expressed in the Program of Action of the Population
Conference, the Social Summit, the SIDS Conference and the Beijing Platform. The first phase of the project was successfully
completed in August 1995.
The project’s short term goals were as follows:
• To provide a critical mass of competent, effective, gender sensitive, committed women politicians to influence decision making in local
political bodies through their direct participation as elected or appointed representatives.
• To prepare an enabling environment for women’s effective participation in the decision making process at local government
The project is non-partisan. Women from all parties will be invited to participate. The participation is not limited to potential candidates,
but also open to women who would manage, work with and support the campaigns of the women in their region.
It is expected that there would be increased demands for more women to be selected, as candidates in local government elections
and for more women to represent political parties on advisory bodies. We also advocate for more women to attend and participate in the
sittings of their regional corporations.
We were therefore looking for increased support for women candidates so that in 2010 we can achieve a 50% result or 67 women
elected among all parties and in all the councils. We also expected that in the elections of aldermen there would also be a balance (16) in
the number of men and women chosen.
There has also never been a woman Mayor of Port of Spain and we were advocating that the year 2000 finds a woman wearing the
Chain of Honour signifying leadership of our capital city.
Click here to read more>>
| Click map for larger view |
| Click flag for Country Report |
George Maxwell Richards
President since 17 March 2003
President since 17 March 2003
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.
