UPR53 - Iceland Statement - Review of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

UPR53 – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Tuesday 3 November, 14:30-18:00
Statement by Iceland

Mr. President,
Iceland welcomes the delegation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and its national report.
In the spirit of constructive engagement, Iceland recommends the following:

1. Ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR and fully abolish the death penalty.

2. Adopt a gender-neutral definition of rape and domestic violence and criminalize marital rape.

3. Strengthen existing legal and policy frameworks to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and improve access to support services for survivors.

4. Decriminalize abortion in all circumstances and remove legal, administrative and practical barriers to accessing safe abortion services.

5. Raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 years without exception.

6. Ensure access to comprehensive sexuality education in and out of school settings in line with the international technical guidance on sexuality education.

7. Decriminalize same-sex relations between consenting adults by amending Article 146 and 148 of the Criminal Code.

8. Adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation that explicitly prohibits discrimination against persons of diverse SOGIESC.

I wish Saint Vincent and the Grenadines all success for its review.

I thank you.