GENEVA, Switzerland (CMC) – The UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group is calling on two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to implement a number of recommendations that will improve their human rights records in the future.

According to the draft report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname are being urged to implement measures including acceding to or ratifying the Second Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil a and Political Rights (ICCPR), which promotes international commitment in abolishing the death penalty.

In addition, the Caribbean countries are being urged to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) as well as sign or ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).

The human rights record of several CARICOM countries are being examined by the UN body.

In the case of St Vincent and the Grenadines it is also being asked to implement comprehensive guidelines under the Domestic Violence Act to ensure a coordinated response for victims of violence by police, courts, health and social welfare agencies and undertake a public advocacy campaign to combat gender-based violence, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

Kingstown is also being urged to implement targeted training for law enforcement officials on responding to cases of domestic violence, and ensure that all allegations are fully investigated and to take steps to ensure the provision of adequate shelter, including staffing and durable resources, for victims of domestic violence.

The CARICOM countries are also asked to continue strengthening programmes to combat domestic violence, including an awareness-raising plan and to continue the actions taken to reduce domestic violence and violence against women in all its forms.

The Caribbean countries are urged to reinforce measures to combat violence against women, including legislative amendments to the Criminal Code and the Domestic Violence Act and by awareness raising campaigns.