A/HRC/16/14
Introduction
1.
The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance
with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its ninth session from 1 to 12 November
2010. The review of Jamaica was held at the 12th meeting, on 8 November 2010. The
delegation of Jamaica was headed by the Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Foreign Trade, The Honorable Marlene Malahoo Forte. At its 16th meeting, held on 10
November 2010, the Working Group adopted the report on Jamaica.
2.
On 21 June 2010, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of
rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Jamaica: Qatar, the Republic of Moldova and
Cuba.
3.
In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following
documents were issued for the review of Jamaica:
(a)
A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with
paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/9/JAM/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.6/9/JAM/2);
(c)
A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c)
(A/HRC/WG.6/9/JAM/3).
4.
A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany,
Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Jamaica through the troika. Those questions
are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review.
I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process
5.
During the interactive dialogue, 43 delegations made statements. The delegation of
Jamaica was thanked for its frank presentation of the report, for responses to advance
questions and for Jamaica's constructive engagement in the universal periodic review
process. Recommendations made during the dialogue are found in section II of the present
report.
A.
Presentation by the State under review
6.
Jamaica indicated that its national report was the product of wide-ranging
consultations coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
Consultations had involved Government ministries, departments and agencies, nongovernmental organizations and civil society, including academia. It noted that the report
provided a candid assessment of the human rights situation in Jamaica.
7.
Jamaica recalled that it was a small island developing State and a small vulnerable
economy. It noted that, as of September 2010, the World Bank had placed it in the “uppermiddle-income” group of countries. However, it indicated that, as one of the most highly
indebted countries in the world, Jamaica was worse off than many countries in the lowincome group. The classification as part of the upper-middle-income group had precluded
Jamaica’s benefiting from certain financing, although its debt burden was such that it had
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