Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 21st Session
Universal Periodic Review of Grenada
Statement by Australia
26 January 2015
Australia welcomes Grenada’s reforms to strengthen its human rights framework, including the establishment of a Constitution Reform Advisory Committee in January 2014 to advise government on the adoption of a new constitution.
Australia also welcomes Grenada’s ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in May 2013 and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in August 2014.
Australia is concerned that discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity remains an issue in Grenada. Australia recommends that Grenada repeals all provisions of law criminalising sexual activity between consenting adults.
While Australia recognises Grenada’s informal moratorium on the death penalty has been in place for decades, we note that Grenada still maintains the death penalty in national legislation. Australia recommends Grenada establish a formal moratorium on the death penalty with a view to ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR.
Australia acknowledges Grenada’s human rights challenges and welcomes its active engagement in the UPR process.