Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 19th Session
Universal Periodic Review of Dominica
Statement by Australia
1 May 2014
Australia recognises the consistent efforts of the Government of Dominica to improve its institutional legal framework for the advancement of human rights.
Australia remains deeply concerned with legal provisions on sexual offences which criminalise sexual relations between consenting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons. We recommend Dominica repeal all provisions in national law that criminalize same sex relations, including in the Sexual Offences Act and take steps to ensure the rights of these persons are protected.
Australia commends Dominica’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Protocol to Prevent, Supress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. Australia recommends Dominica take further steps to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and the rights of women and children, including through strengthening support services.
Australia welcomes the de facto moratorium on executions in Dominica and is encouraged by the fact that there have been no executions carried out since 1986, but still remains concerned that domestic legislation potentially allows the death penalty to be carried out. We recommend Dominica ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.
To further strengthen Dominica’s human rights framework, Australia recommends Dominica become party to the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.