Universal Periodic Review 10th Session
Intervention by Australia
SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS
Australia welcomes the delegation from Saint Kitts and Nevis and appreciates its engagement in the Universal Periodic Review process.
Australia would particularly like to acknowledge and congratulate Saint Kitts and Nevis, as a Small Island State, on its participation in the UPR process, which requires considerable effort given limited resources.
We commend the Government for its stance against anti-personnel landmines, as demonstrated by its vote for the UN General Assembly Resolution to ban anti-personnel landmines, and its full support of the Ottawa process.
While we acknowledge the comments made by H.E. Mr Bart, Australia remains concerned that Saint Kitts and Nevis retains the death penalty and notes that at least half a dozen people remain on death row. We note that the death penalty remains in Saint Kitts and Nevis law and that death sentences continue to be imposed by courts as recently as December 2008.
We welcome the commitment of the Government of St Kitts and Nevis to safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities, and encourage the Government to continue with its initiatives in the area of education.
Australia has two recommendations. Australia would like to recommends that Saint Kitts and Nevis:
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Accede to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aimed at abolishing the death penalty, and take all necessary steps to remove the death penalty from Saint Kitts and Nevis law; and
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Sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Thank you Mr President