39th Universal Periodic Review of human rights: UK statement on Trinidad and Tobago

Thank you, Madam President.

The United Kingdom welcomes Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts to register Venezuelan migrants and initiatives it has taken to eliminate human trafficking, including by developing a National Action Plan. We also welcome the steps taken by the Government to tackle gender-based violence including the establishment of a specialist police unit and the amendments made to the Domestic Violence Act legislation, which have strengthened victim protection. We encourage Trinidad and Tobago to continue to enhance protections for all victims of gender-based violence.

We commend the significant efforts made by Trinidad and Tobago to address slow judicial processes and reduce pre-trial detention. We also note the increased powers given to the Police Complaints Authority to improve accountability. We urge the Government to consider what further reform is needed, including to tackle the challenge of corruption.

We recommend that Trinidad and Tobago:

• Take concrete steps to strengthen the protection mechanisms, emergency and long-term support services, for all suspected victims of modern slavery, including those from vulnerable migrant communities;

• Adopt an open, merit-based process when selecting national candidates for UN Treaty Body elections;

• Implement a roadmap to accelerate the development of national refugee legislation to incorporate international commitments into domestic law.

Thank you, Madam President.