21st Session of the Universal Periodic Review
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
Geneva,
January 26, 2015
Thank you, Mr. Vice President.
The United States welcomes His Excellency Mr. Robert Branch of the delegation from Grenada to the UPR Working Group and congratulates Grenada on its presentation today.
We note the ongoing constitutional reform process and are encouraged by the government’s efforts to consult broadly with civil society and the general public. We encourage Grenada to consider recommendations from the UPR session during the reform process.
The United States remains concerned about the continued criminalization of consensual same-sex sexual activity between adults.
We commend the government’s 2013 passage of the Electronic Crimes Act, which prohibits child pornography, and launch of the National Child Protocol, which contains guidelines for intra-governmental coordination on child protection, investigations, and referrals to appropriate services. We are concerned, however, that the law does not expressly prohibit children’s involvement in hazardous work nor trafficking of children for forced labor.
Bearing in mind these concerns, we recommend that Grenada:
- Amend the law to expressly prohibit hazardous work for children as well as all forms of trafficking of children.
- In consultation with civil society, develop and pass legislation that decriminalizes consensual same-sex sexual conduct.
- Implement human rights education and anti-discrimination awareness-raising programs for the general public in collaboration with local civil society groups working on behalf of vulnerable populations.
Thank you.