Barbados urged to abolish the death penalty

WASHINGTON, Apr 24, CMC – The Inter-American Commission for Human rights (IACHR) is renewing its call for Barbados to abolish the death penalty, acknowledging that no execution has been carried out since 1984.

In its 2025 annual report released here, the IACHR, an autonomous body of the Organization of American States that “there has been no progress in the removal of the death penalty from the statute book” and once again “calls on the State to abolish capital punishment”.

It said that according to the most updated information, as of May 2023, there were six individuals on death row.

In its report, the IACHR said that Barbados has made progress in achieving parliamentary reform, and its efforts to ameliorate the backlog of cases faced by its judiciary.

“Moreover, the Commission notes the landmark passage of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, which strengthens legal protections for persons with disabilities. The Commission also highlights a reduction in homicides and further efforts by the State to reduce crime and the introduction statutory paternity leave for the first time”.

With regards to challenges, the IARCH said that it notes with concern increased reports of abuse and neglect against children.

“Furthermore, the IACHR highlights that discriminatory provisions restricting women’s ability to transfer nationality to their children remained in force,” it said , adding that Barbados did not respond to the request for information on this matter.

With regards to democratic institutionality, the IACHR notes the State’s advancement in achieving parliamentary reform and as previously reported by the Commission in its 2024 Annual Report, the Parliamentary Reform Commission (PRC) submitted its final Report in July.

“In this regard, in June 2025, the Parliament of Barbados formally took note of the Report of the PRC. The PRC report makes several recommendations on matters that range from the Office of the President to a code of conduct for Parliamentarians, the calling of elections and the retention and role of the Senate”.

In relation to human rights institutions, the IACHR said that Barbados has an Office of the Ombudsman, which is a member of the Caribbean Ombudsman Association, the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, and the International Ombudsman Institute.

“According to publicly available information, the Office of the Ombudsman submitted its 2023 Annual Report in May 2025. In this regard, the Office noted that it had received complaints to investigate concerns against several government agencies, including the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Barbados Police Service and the Ministry of Education.

“These complaints ranged from protracted wait times to access healthcare services, police conduct, delays in application for pension, among other areas. Additionally, the Commission notes the appointment of the first Human Rights Commissioner in December.

“According to official information, the Human Rights Commission will act as an independent body dedicated to promoting, protecting, and defending human rights in Barbados. This Commission will be empowered to investigate human rights complaints, develop educational campaigns to raise awareness of human right and monitor Barbados’ compliance with international human rights treaties and national legislation”.

Regarding citizen security, the IACHR said it has taken note of Barbados’ efforts to reduce crime with the passage of two Acts in Parliament namely the Interception of Communications Act and the Criminal Proceedings (Witness Anonymity) Act.

The Interception of Communications Act empowers a Judge to authorise the controlled interception of certain communications as well as the acquisition and disclosure of data regarding such communications, by way of a warrant.

The IACHR said that these interceptions will be confined to the communications of individuals who are deemed to be involved in criminal activities.

“Moreover, the State passed the Criminal Proceedings (Witness Anonymity) Act gives Courts new powers to shield the identity of witnesses in criminal trials. These include allowing evidence to be given remotely, using screens or voice distortion, and omitting personal details from witness statements.”

The IACHR said that there was a seven per cent decrease in homicides during the period January 1 to October 22, 2025 and that a total of 38 homicides were reported up to October 22, compared to 41 for the same period last year.

Concerning the rights of children, the IACHR said it observes concerns raised by the state's Child Care Board relating to reports of child abuse and neglect.

“According to official information, the Board reported increased reports of neglect, where young children are being seen at the Hospital for ingestion of hazardous substances, burns to the body; and other injuries.

“Regarding child abuse, the statistics provided showed that for the last four years, the Board recorded over 400 reported cases each year; with 677 cases reported for the period 2023-2024.”

The IACHR said that in order to combat this scourge, the Board has undertaken several sensitizations with various stakeholders to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect, including the Police Service, the media and faith-based institutions.

Regarding women’s human rights, the IACHR highlights the passage the Family Leave Bill in August in the House of Assembly, which introduced statutory paternity leave for the first time.

“Aimed at promoting full and equal parental participation in child-rearing, the Bill grants three weeks of paid paternity leave, establishes workplace protections for fathers, replaces the “maternity grant” with a gender-neutral “child grant,” and extends statutory maternity leave from 12 to 14 weeks.

“However, publicly available information indicates that women continue to perform two to three times more unpaid care work than men, earn only 86 to 87 per cent of men’s wages and that up to half of women with partners experience intimate partner violence.”

With respect to the rights of persons deprived of liberty, the IACHR welcomes the measures adopted by Barbados to expand access to higher education in the national prison system. It said in May last year, the authorities announced a programme at Dodds Prison to provide university and master’s level courses for inmates, with the stated aim of fostering rehabilitation and supporting reintegration into society.

Source: thestkittsnevisobserver.com, Editor, April 24, 2026

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."

— Oscar Wilde

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