International Mechanism Submissions

This report addresses Trinidad and Tobago's compliance with its human rights obligations with regard to the death penalty and related issues, including acceptance of international norms, the prohibition on torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, detention conditions, the administration of justice and fair trials, and persons with disabilities.

This report recommends that Trinidad and Tobago amend its laws to remove the mandatory death penalty for murder and adopt an alternative sentencing framework; establish a formal and immediate moratorium on the death penalty; withdraw its reservation to the first Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights regarding death penalty cases; and ratify, without reservations, the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This report also recommends that Trinidad and Tobago begin developing the domestic framework necessary to enable it to sign, ratify, and implement the Convention Against Torture; take steps to improve conditions in detention facilities; improve funding for mental health assessments; and implement other due process reforms to ensure that people accused of crimes are tried in an expeditious, fair, and just manner