1 VOL 15 No. 1 of 2002 Family Law Reform in the Caribbean As he climbs into his father s arms David (not his real name) turns and waves goodbye to his mother. He is off to spend several hours with his father and his other half siblings who live in a different parish. David, like most Caribbean children, does not live in the traditional nuclear family. His parents were never married and he lives in a single parent home headed by his mother. T he above scenario represents the reality of many Caribbean families. Many children, because of divorce or being born out of wedlock are raised primarily in a female-headed single parent household. This trend is not unique to the Caribbean and the reality of Caribbean family structures is only one of the reasons why many countries have begun review and reform of legislation dealing with family matters. Another reason is that countries have begun taking human rights seriously: More specifically, they are taking seriously the rights of women and children. Finally, law revision and reform have taken place in an attempt to help create amicable relationships among parents after family breakdown. Recognising realities It is estimated that between 31 and 59 percent of Caribbean children from birth It is estimated that between 31-59% of Caribbean children from birth to 14, live in homes headed by women to 14, live in homes headed by women and even though some children may live in homes with two adults, they do not necessarily live with both biological parents. Sometimes even when children live with both biological parents, these parents are not married. In light of these realities, some Caribbean countries, in keeping with international trends, have begun recognising unions other than marriage. Barbados was the first of the non-oecs Caribbean countries to introduce the concept of a "union other than marriage" into its family laws. This refers to a man and a woman living together continuously for 5 years, and those who fall under this category have the same rights as married couples, as far as property, maintenance and custody of children are concerned. Trinidad & Tobago, and Guyana have also made important advances in this respect. INSIDE Interview with with Chief Justice of the OCES Supreme Court Sir Charles.M.D.Byron...3 Is Law Reform Really Needed?...5 Facts About the OECS law Reform Project... 7 Are Journalists Violating Children s Rights?...8 News from the Area However, recognition of unions other than marriage in OECS countries is still limited to the protection offered to women in common law unions under the domestic violence legislation. Ending Discrimination of Children born outside of Wedlock A further reality of Caribbean society, is that many children are born outside of wedlock and taking note of this, countries in the region have established laws to end discrimination against these children. Several countries now have a Status of Children Act, which gives children born to unmarried couples, the same rights as those born to married couples. Taking Human Rights Seriously Another major reason for review and reform of legalisation, is that countries have begun to take the rights of children and woman very seriously. All countries have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the 0000 Continued p.4
2 Launch of Global Movement for Children in St. Kitts & Nevis Children wearing GMC T-shirts were accompanied by teachers during the rally. Joseph Mason from the Special Education Unit gives a rendition of a spiritual song. In the background (l r) Sharain Weaver, Washington Archibald High School; Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis; Aboubacar Saibou, Representative, UNICEF/CAO (partly hidden); Hon. Rupert E. Herbert, Minister of Social Development, Community & Gender Affairs; and Shantelle Liburd, Youth Parlimentarian. The children of the Pilgrim Holiness Pre-school delighted the audience with a well choreographed dance. Readers are invited to contribute their views and items of news of human interest. Please send correspondence to one of the following addresses. UNICEF CARIBBEAN AREA OFFICE P.O. Box 1232 Bridgetown, BARBADOS Tel: (246) /2810/2811 Website: UNICEF GUYANA 72 Brickdam Georgetown GUYANA Tel: Telex: 2201 UNDP Children in Focus is a quarterly newsletter of the UNICEF Caribbean Area office (UNICEF/CAO) covering Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos Islands. It is intended as a channel for the exchange of information between this office and the field on issues related to child development and protection in the Caribbean. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of UNICEF. Articles may be reproduced provided credit is given to Children in Focus. Editorial Committee: Aboubacar Saibou; Marashetty Seenapa; Sreelaskshmi Gururaja; Heather Stewart; Lisa McClean-Trotman; Diedre Thain. Printed by Cot Caribbean Graphics, Barbados
3 Twelve years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which has become the most widely ratified human rights convention. Earlier, the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was also adopted and later, the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women, more commonly known as the Convention of Belem do Para all sought to address prevailing concerns of some of societies most vulnerable groups women and children. The need for International Human Rights instruments did not come about until the atrocities of the Second World War dawned on the international community, and against marked fluctuations in the long-term trend of human rights abuses. The rates of almost all types of interpersonal physical violence have decreased since the late middle ages. The source of Commonwealth Caribbean law flowed from European countries, namely, England, France, Spain and The Netherlands. As a result, contemporary regional legislation has been largely modelled after English legislation and decisions of the English Court are persuasive in regional courts. With the advent of the aforementioned Conventions, there has been a genuine effort worldwide to rethink, reorganise and reform legal rules which are intended to provide guidance for families and society in respect of the treatment of women and children. In October 2000, the Human Rights Act 1998 came into force in England and Wales, having come into force earlier in Scotland and Northern Ireland. This Act had the effect of allowing specific Convention rights to be directly enforceable by individuals in the English Court, and impacted on English domestic law. Judges and advocates are duty-bound to deliberate whether existing practices do in Editorial Heather Stewart fact conform to human rights. It has wrought changes, not so much in the outcome of the majority of the cases, but there can be no doubt that the process of thought and language of the Courts more reflect the rights of individuals brought before them. In the field of family law, the United Kingdom is considered to be largely compliant with the relevant Articles, in particular the Children Act 1989 which was drafted with an eye on the CRC. In the words of the Rt. Hon. Dame Elizabeth Butler Sloss, DBE, the Human Rights Act has, however "illuminated some dusty corners, and there are issues that are now emerging, particularly in public family law, that require reconsideration", especially with regard to the right to respect for privacy and family life. Some of these same issues are particularly relevant to many of our Caribbean countries. For instances, Article 8 of the CRC makes no distinction between the "legitimate" and "illegitimate" family. Such a distinction would not be consonant with the word "everyone" in Article 8 itself, and this is confirmed by Article 2 which prohibits discrimination of any form and on any basis. Some Commonwealth Caribbean countries have enacted Status of Children legislation aimed at equalising the status of all children. But there are others yet to embrace this basic human right. Issues related to maintenance 2 of children must also be revisited. Again, while some countries have moved to reform legislation in this area, far too many still have legislation that imposes monetary limits for maintenance. Where attachment of earnings and garnishment have been introduced for obtaining monies from defaulting fathers, greater efficiency is required for this collection system. In the cases of the sexual abuse of children, a lack of clarity still exists in some countries between the offence of unlawful carnal knowledge of girls under the age of 14 years, and the offence of indecent assault for those between 14 and 16 years. The reason for the distinction between these two offences is unclear. More recent legislation has moved towards simplifying the law by removing old categories and titles and takes a gender-neutral approach to sexual offences. But this trend must be accelerated! These are but a few of the outdated areas of legislation which the Children, Family & Domestic Violence Law & Social Reform Project in the OECS seeks to remedy. The CRC sets high standards for guaranteeing that children are not disadvantaged in any aspect of their lives. Earlier, while emphasising the rights of women, the CEDAW had, generally, endorsed equal rights for all family members.. The Belem do Para specifically addresses the issue of violence against women. Together, these Conventions require participating states to not only ensure that the black letter law is established, but that adequate social services, care facilities and national procedures are made available to guarantee the efficient enforcement of these laws. Social justice for all, must be a paramount developmental goal for our societies in this millennium and UNICEF is a ready partner for all countries, in this process. Heather Stewart Project Officer, Child Rights UNICEF/CAO
4 Human Rights Conference O n September , over 100 overseas presenters and delegates joined more than 150 representatives from a cross-section of Caymanian society at a four-day meeting to debate human rights issues affecting the Caribbean region. Some of the Caribbean s most senior political and legal figures attending the conference were: Chief Justice of the Jamaican Supreme Court, Lensley Wolfe; Guyana s Chancellor Desiree Bernard, and Turks & Caicos Chief Justice Richard Ground were among the senior figures from the Caribbean region who attended the conference. UNICEF/CAO Project Officer for Child Rights, Heather Stewart, was a panellist in the session on the rights of the family, women and children. Students Benefit From Youth information Support Centre W ith the assistance of UNICEF Caribbean Area Office, a Youth Information & Support Centre formed part of the 10th International Conference on People Living with HIV/AIDS held in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago from October The objectives of the Centre included sensitising over 600 conference delegates and approximately 400 students and 30 teachers from 20 schools by providing information and messages on non-discrimination, positive living better nutrition positive behaviours, pregnancy and HIV. Attendees also viewed 10 basic slides on HIV, learned about counselling services as well as the benefits and limitations of antiretroviral drugs. While Glaxo-Smith Kline displayed sample drugs and supplied information on treatment, three non-governmental organisations (The Rapport, The TOCO Foundation, and the Society of Futurists) provided support through drama and discussion groups. Visiting students were provided with internet facilities and selected websites on HIV/AIDS. The communication Division of the UNICEF CAO conducted a focus group with children who visited the display and they indicated that the information was very beneficial The conference also attracted some top international legal experts, among them Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss a high-profile British Judge and President of the Family Division of the UK Royal Courts of Justice; Mr. Justice Banda, the Chief Justice of Malawi and President of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association; and London University s Mr. Richard Bourne, Chair of the Trustees Committee of the Commonwealth Legal Education Association. The meeting agenda addressed the main human rights concerns of the territories and was designed to stimulate discussion among the nations represented. The topics covered at the conference were as follows: Protection of Human Rights by International and Domestic law; cultural implications of Human Rights Legislation; the Rights of the Family, Women & Children; Developing Human Rights Curricula, the Media and Human Rights; the Right to Life vs. the Death Penalty; Rights of persons in Custody & Rights to a fair trial; Applications before International Human Rights Tribunal; Human Rights and Business; the role of the Judiciary and the Bar in maintaining a vibrant Human Rights Environment and Human Rights as Promoted by Government Agencies. The contrasts between countries formed the starting point for productive dialogue as they learned from each other s experiences. To learn more about the conference, visit the website UNICEF Exhibition in the Youth Information Support Centre. very beneficial to them and for some of them it would make them more careful when engaging in sex. Executive Director of UNAIDS, Peter Piot, visited the centre and addressed the students. 11
5 News From The Area September 27, in front of the Government s Headquarters. The launch was organised by the Ministry of Social Development, Community & Gender Affairs in collaboration with UNICEF and was one of several activities held to celebrate Child Rights Week. Invitees included members of the Diplomatic Corp, Ministers of Government and Permanent Secretaries, affiliates of non-governmental organisa sector, the religious community and the media. The programme featured performmances by children from primary, secondary and pre-schools and the special education unit. There was also a member of the Youth Parliament who spoke on the theme Change the world with Children. Brief remarks were made by the Minister for Social Development, Community & Gender Affairs, the Honourable Rupert Herbert; and UNICEF Caribbean Area Representative, Mr. Aboubacar Saibou. The Prime Minister, Dr. Denzil Douglas, delivered the keynote address. The official launch was followed by a rally with the school children, who wore GMC T-shirts and ribbons stating the 10 points of the GMC. Seminar for Students and Educators As part of the activities to celebrate Child Rights Week, the Ministry of Social Development, Community & Gender Affairs, in collaboration with UNICEF, organised a seminar on the topic: Tackling Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children A Time to Act is Now". The Panellists were: Karen Hughes who spoke on "Legislation: Understanding our laws in relation to Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children"; Dr. Patrick Martin whose topic was "Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children: A medical Perspective"; Michelle Blake who dealt with "Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: Psychological and Emotional Effects"; and Calvin Fahie who spoke on "Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: Dealing with the Perpetrator". Participants included school principals, students, teachers, and guidance counselors. ST. LUCIA The early Childhood Education Services Unit was the force behind two children s rallies in the Southern part of the island - one in the town of Vieux Fort, and the other in Soufriere. The theme used to celebrate St. Lucia s children on the November 20th rallies, was Shaping the Future with Early Childhood Education. Also taking place on November 20th, was a special children s programme entitled Out of the Mouths of Babes, which was aired during a live weekly call-in radio show. The panel comprised a pre-schooler, a primary school child, a secondary school student, and a student from a vocational/primary school. The children discussed their perspectives of the world in which they live. SURINAME A Child Rights Committee was recently established within the Faculty of Law of the University of Suriname. The main objective of the Committee is to promote the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and to create public awareness of the CRC. The Committee works closely with the Bureau of Child Rights and is regularly consulted on legal issues related to the CRC. The Committee is interested in setting up a CRC documentation and information centre with the Faculty, for teaching and research purposes. 10 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Sensitising Media on Children s Issues Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA) of Trinidad & Tobago held a 5-day media workshop from 29 October to 2 November as part of its Project Gender and the Rights of the Child Media Sensitisation. The objective was to train media workers in the use of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and in gender sensitivity. Events to Mark Universal Children s Day The National Family Services Division of the Ministry of Community Empowerment, Sport & Consumer Affairs in collaboration with relevant divisions of the various ministries and non-governmental organisations, staged a number of events to mark Universal Children s Day on 20 November. Workshops, media events, a news paper supplement on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), a training programme for adolescent mothers, and a one-day seminar were some of the activities that took place during the week of celebrations. The aim of these events was continue to inform and educate the national community - specifically children, parents, community leaders and teachers - on the CRC, with the issue of responsibility being a key feature. Information and education was placed in the context of culture of peace, children s obligation to accept responsibility for themselves and their actions, as well as their social responsibility.
6 BIO: The Honourable Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Sir Charles Michael Dennis Byron, is a native of St. Kitts & Nevis. Sir Dennis was called to the Bar in 1965 at the Hon. Society of Inner Temple as Barrister-at- Law of the High Court of Justice in England. In 1966 he entered private practice as a Barristerat-Law throughout the Leeward Islands with Chambers, in St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla. In 1982 he was appointed a High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, a post which he held until During 1986 on Secondment from the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Supreme Court, Sir Dennis served as Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Grenada. From 1990 until 1996 he served as Court of Appeal Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and from 1996 to 1999 he was Acting Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. From 1999 until the present time he has held the post of Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Since 1996 Sir Dennis has served as Chairman on the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. He was Knighted by H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth II in the year Q: Why the need for law reform in the OECS countries? A: The countries of the OECS were colonies of Britain. Six of these countries are now independent and three are dependent territories. However all control their internal affairs. This resulted in significant advances in the political, economic and social spheres. However, very little changes had occurred in the judicial and legal systems. The reform in OECS is not only long overdue but is necessary if we are to be able to respond to the needs of a developing society. It goes without saying that an important requirement of economic development is an efficient judiciary where disputes can be resolved promptly, efficiently and fairly. Of equal importance is the ability of the judiciary to respond to issues that are likely to arise as a result of globalization. As the OECS ventures on the international stage we must be concerned that we are equipped to deliver quality judicial services Up Close... The Honourable Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Sir C.M. Dennis Byron. to a changing society. Additionally, there are areas of our legal system that cry out for change because those structures that were in place may have very well outlived their usefulness. Thus, as legal changes take place, the judiciary cannot remain stagnant. Q: What prompted you to get involved in this project? A: As a member of the judiciary since 1982, I have seen how the laws evolve and more importantly how our judiciary functions. It is innate in human development to aspire to improve upon what is there. As the judiciary faces new challenges due to a changing world it must be prepared to respond to these new needs. There has been significant advancement in our political, economic and social structures. If the judiciary is left behind the full benefit of the other areas cannot be realized. Of significance is economic development. Economic growth takes place where there is a judiciary that can respond to the inevitable disputes that arise out of commercial activities. We must therefore be prepared as the arbiter of disputes to respond to these events. The motivation then flows from a personal commitment to see excellence in our judiciary and to ensure that the people served by our judiciary are satisfied that they can get justice in our Courts. The reform project therefore is to achieve these ends. 3 Q: What do you foresee as some of the problems with implementing law reform? A: I prefer to view what you are calling problems, as challenges. The challenges are no different from those associated with changes in general. Certainly the judiciary with rich traditions may very well be one of the last institutions to accept change easily. However, I do not think that there will be any significant resistance to implementing reform. In fact I must say that we have made some significant advances already and the support from government agencies, the legal community and the general public has been encouraging. Despite this, I am mindful of the fact that people are generally skeptical about changes. As a practice, people are comfortable with what they know and have become accustomed to. Overcoming such skepticism may very well be one such challenge. And we hope to do this through mass public education. Another challenge may very well be financing reform. Our countries do not have a lot of money so that may slow down our reform effort. All of our jurisdiction however, has made tremendous financial sacrifices in advancing what we have done so far. And there is no indication that they will not continue to do so, but funding is definitely a challenge for us. Q: What do you think needs to happen for this project to be a success? A: I think that the reform project will be successful as long as there are clearly defined goals, that all of the stakeholders can identify the benefit; that a process of broad consultation is followed. I must tell you that the factors mentioned are in place and I am confident that as the pillars of how we operate that the project will be a success. That is not to say that the project will not have its detractors. Moreover, we have a policy of listening intently to the detractors and making them a part of the consultation process. I am satisfied that success stands a better chance when all voices with interest in the project are heard. And those with divergent ideas are allowed to participate fully. Continued on p.6
7 Family Law Reform... continued from page 1 Convention on Eradication All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Belem Do Para. In recent years, laws dealing with property and financial settlements in divorce have been revised to respond to economic disadvantages created by gender roles and hierarchies. However, in many countries, there is still gender inequity and discrimination in property and financial settlements against unmarried women. Regarding property none of the OECS countries have adequate laws to deal with persons who are unmarried settlement, none of the OECS countries have adequate laws to deal with persons who are unmarried. Montserrat and St. Kitts have no legislation to deal with equitable distribution of property and financial matters either for women who are married or unmarried. In Grenada and Dominica, there is no legislation dealing with matrimonial matters such as divorce, matrimonial property and financial provision on divorce and maintenance in the High Court. These are just some of the variations that exist from country to country. Creating Amicable Relationships after Family Breakdown In an effort to properly protect and provide for children and prevent hostility between parents in a postrelationship phase, almost every aspect of family law, including domestic violence, divorce, property and financial matters, seeks to put children s interests first. In the Caribbean, recognition of this principle is variable, but it is almost certain that children will become increasingly the centre of concern in family law.two ways in which the laws have been seeking to create amicable relationships after family breakdown are as follows: (1) the removal of fault in divorce, and (2) the introduction of alternative ways of settling disputes. Less Emphasis on Judging Behaviour in Divorce Settlements In family law, there has been a significant movement away from judging the behaviour of family members in settlements and a focus more on the family s needs and in cultivating harmonious relations among family members. some countries like Barbados have introduced the concept of no-fault divorce. In keeping with this trend, some countries like Barbados have introduced the concept of no fault divorces. However, in the OECS countries, there is only a moderate acknowledgement of this development and most of them have moved on to a system in which fault still has some role to play in matrimonial matters. In Antigua & Barbuda, for example, the 1997 Divorce Act creates a mixed fault system. It introduces twelve months of separation as a basis for proving breakdown of marriage, similar to Barbados which has no-fault divorce, but adds the fault facts of adultery and cruelty as evidence of breakdown as well. In both St. Kitts & Nevis and Montserrat, the Matrimonial Causes Acts of 1948 establishes that the moral quality and conduct of the husband and wife are decisive in matrimonial matters. Introducing alternative Dispute resolution In most of the OECS countries and Barbados, efforts are made to encourage partners seeking divorce to consider reconciliation and to undergo marriage counselling. For example, Antigua & Barbuda has introduced the concept of mediation in divorce matters on issues relating to custody of children and property. In addition, some countries have introduced a social service component to help in addressing family matters and others have introduced family courts, outside of the magistrates courts, to deal with family disputes. some countries have introduced a social service component to help address family matters and place Need for Harmonisation In almost all of the OECS countries, family law revision and reform have taken place to address the realities of Caribbean family structures, to comply with human rights conventions and in an effort to create amicable relationships in post-relations phases. The revision has been slower in some countries than others and the absence of certain legislation can directly or indirectly impact on children and women and they point to the need for a greater harmony within family laws throughout the eastern Caribbean.
8 News From The Area ANTIGUA & BARBUDA Rotaract Launches HIV/AIDS Campaign The Rotaract Club of Antigua has launched a new HIV/AIDS awareness campaign.entitled "HIV/AIDS 20 Years Later", the project aims to eliminate complacency among the youth and make them more aware of facts relating to HIV/AIDS. Ms. Felicity Aymer of the AIDS Secretariat welcomed the involvement of the Rotaracts. She noted that in Antigua the "environment is not conducive to discouraging early sexual activity and it BARBADOS Children Illustrate Peaceful Communities During a ceremony at the Offices of the Ministry of Education, the Director of the Division of Youth Affairs, presented winners of a poster competition competition with prizes of educational and art supplies. Entitled "A Peaceful Community without Violence", the children created colourful representations of an ideal peaceful community. The Ministry thanked UNICEF Caribbean Area Office for funding the reproduction of the six prize-winning posters as book covers, which were distributed to all public and private primary schools in the island. HIV/AIDS Prevention Peer Educators Programme Through its Youth Links, the Red Cross hopes to target the entire secondary school body of students with the introduction of its HIV/ AIDS Prevention Peer Educators Programme. During the September to December 2001 term, fourth formers will be trained as peer educators by way of five Peer Educators Workshops. From the second term January to March 2002, 11 HIV/AIDS Prevention Workshops will be held for first and third formers. Sixteen facilitators who were trained in August 2001 will introduce the programme to schools and to groups in various communities. DOMINICA Summer Environmental Appreciation Programme Camp With support from UNICEF/CAO, the Small Project Assistance Team Limited (SPAT), in collaboration with the Movement for Cultural Awareness, conducted the annual two-week Summer Environmental Appreciation Programme (SENAP) Camp in the villages of Grand Fond and Petite Savanne, from July 26 - August 9. Thirty children between 10 and 15 years, benefitted from exposure to a variety of life skills training, including Environmental Health/Personal Hygiene; Health and Family Life Education and Disaster preparedness/management. Participants typically come from communities in Dominica where SPAT is implementing its Community Animation Programme, as well as from other Caribbean countries. This project was sponsored as part of the Eastern Caribbean/UNICEF support for integrated community development in selected disadvantaged communities. 9 GUYANA First Draft of Chidren s Bill is Ready... Guyana In March 1993, the National Commission for the Survival, Protection and development of Children was appointed in Guyana to prepare the Guyana National Plan of Action for children in the 21st Century. The commission agreed on six programme areas that constituted the starting point for addressing the major problems affecting children in Guyana, as they relate to: Family, Health & Nutrition, Water 7 Sanitation, Basic Education & Literacy, Children in Especially difficult Circumstances, and legal & Constitutional Provision. The kind of fundamental changes in attitudes to Children s Rights which is required must be underpinned by the entrenchment of those rights in both law and constitution, in terms of legislation. This includes the completion of the task of bringing all the laws concerning children together on statue and giving real powers and responsibilities to institutions charged with protecting children s rights. It was required therefore that justifiable provisions on the Rights of Child included on the constitution reforms that Guyana is undergoing. The first draft of the Children s Bill is ready for consultation by the concerned parties in Guyana. ST. KITTS & NEVIS Launch of Global Movement for Children The Global Movement for Children (GMC) was officially launched in St. Kitts & Nevis on Thursday