Australia in Switzerland
Bern and Geneva
Switzerland, Liechtenstein

Statement243

Universal Period Review of Trinidad and Tobago

Statement by Australia

5 October 2011

Australia welcomes the delegation from Trinidad and Tobago and appreciates its engagement in the Universal Periodic Review process.

We welcome the Government’s commitment to better protect the rights of women, children, the elderly and the disabled, and to advance the economic and social rights of its citizens, including through equality of opportunity in education.

Australia continues to be concerned by reports of excessive use of police force and by reports on the treatment of detainees. Australia encourages Trinidad and Tobago to thoroughly investigate claims by members of the public of extra-judicial killings by police, and urges Trinidad and Tobago to make the findings of these investigations public.

We remain concerned at the continued imposition of the death penalty as a judicial punishment in Trinidad and Tobago. Consistent with our position towards all other retentionist countries, Australia urges Trinidad and Tobago to establish a moratorium on the death penalty as an interim measure towards full abolition.

Australia recommends Trinidad and Tobago:
1. Investigate thoroughly complaints from citizens about excessive use of force and other serious alleged abuse by the police and make public the findings of these investigations;

2. Become a party to and implement the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and

3. Establish a moratorium on the death penalty, accede to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and take all necessary steps to remove the death penalty from Trinidad and Tobago law.