A/HRC33/15
Introduction
1.
The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance
with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-fifth session from 2 to 13 May
2016. The review of Trinidad and Tobago was held at the 15th meeting on 10 May 2016.
The delegation of Trinidad and Tobago was headed by Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary, Eden Charles. At its 20th meeting, held on 13 May 2016, the Working
Group adopted the report on Trinidad and Tobago.
2.
On 12 January 2016, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of
rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Trinidad and Tobago: Georgia, Kenya and
Qatar.
3.
In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution
5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents
were issued for the review of Trinidad and Tobago:
(a)
A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with
paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/25/TTO/1);
(b)
A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b)
(A/HRC/WG.6/25/TTO/2);
(c)
A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c)
(A/HRC/WG.6/25/TTO/3).
4.
A list of questions prepared in advance by Norway, Slovenia, Spain and the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Trinidad and Tobago
through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic
review.
I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process
A.
Presentation by the State under review
5.
The State indicated that the preparation of the national report had involved various
stakeholders, including government ministries, other State agencies and representatives of
civil society.
6.
Measures that Trinidad and Tobago had implemented in fulfilling its human rights
obligations included those aimed at protecting the rights of women and children, reducing
poverty, improving the administration of justice and reducing the incidence of violent crime
in Trinidad and Tobago. With regard to the continued increase in violent crime, given the
country’s vulnerability to drug trafficking and the illegal arms trade, the Government had
taken steps to address the issue with the passage or enactment of various pieces of
legislation, such as the Trafficking in Persons Act, 2011, the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment)
Act, 2010, and the Interception of Communications Act, 2010.
7.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago continued to improve the administration of
justice in an effort to reduce the backlog of cases before the courts, specifically as it related
to the length of time that a person may be detained before being brought before the courts.
To address that issue, the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act, 2011, and
the Indictable Offences (Committal Proceedings) Act, 2014, had been enacted.
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