Dominica: ERI UPR

Submission by Edmund Rice International

to the

19th Session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council

(April – May, 2014)

Introduction

The government of Dominica has accepted 51 (84%) of the 61 recommendations received in the first cycle of the UPR, in December 2009, but much remains to be done to protect and promote the rights of children in Dominica.

The information in this report is based on observations and field experience of educators and administrators in various parts of Dominica, as well as recent reports. It reviews the implementation of the recommendations accepted in 2009, and then provides further evidence for issues impacting on the rights of children in Dominica.

1.         The Rights of the Child in Dominica

Ten (10) recommendations accepted by Dominica in the first cycle of the UPR (December 2009) concerned the rights of the child. They included action on trafficking of children (rec.70.1), promoting children’s rights (recs.70.13, 70.14, 70.16), discrimination against children (rec.70.27), child abuse (rec.70.35), juvenile justice (recs.70.37, 70.39), health of young people (rec.70.43), and education of disadvantaged children (rec.70.49). In addition there were five recommendations accepted on the right to education (recs.70.20, 70.44, 70.47, 70.49, 70.50), with direct applicability to children.

Yet recent evidence suggests that many of these recommendations have not been fully implemented, and the rights of the child in Dominica are still routinely violated. Dominica has various mechanisms to consult with children and young people, notably the National Youth Council, its General Assembly and district youth groups, but poverty, youth unemployment and violence against children[1] make it hard for many young people to participate in such mechanisms.

Recommendation:

That the Government of Dominica:

1.1       Develop and support consultative mechanisms, including the existing ones, whereby children and young people can communicate to the government their concerns and suggestions concerning their rights and how to better promote and protect them.

2.         Right of the Child to a Family of Origin

Recent community intervention programmes by UN Women in Dominica[2] have highlighted high rates of gender-based violence and fatherless families. Local reports[3] suggest fatherless families are the majority in some social groups. An earlier Caribbean Development Bank report[4] identified a pattern of male absence (overseas work, flight, crime, alcohol, drugs, violence) and female resilience (local employment, child-rearing, domestic duties) amongst very poor families, with less than half having two resident parents. The CDB 2010 report on poverty found ‘men prefer to remain in visiting relationships’.[5]

With 29% of Dominica’s population below the poverty line (2009 estimate) and an overall unemployment rate of 23%[6], poverty impacts on the exercise of many human rights, including in this case the right of children to a family of origin

Recommendation

That the Government of Dominica:

2.1       Implement a Poverty Eradication Programme targetting women, children and          those in vulnerable groups and protecting their right to social protection.

2.2       Incorporate gender equality issues in the school curriculum.

2.2       Establish and support programmes that train children and young people to   analyse and change traditional and cultural stereotypes about gender roles.

3.         Right of the Child to Education

In the first cycle of the UPR in 2009, Dominica accepted five recommendations on the right to education, all with direct applicability to children. They included full implementation of human rights education (rec.70.20), easier access to education for all (recs.70.44, 70.47), providing quality education especially for disadvantaged children (rec.70.49), and promoting education without discrimination (rec.70.50).

The Education Development Plan of the Dominican government proposes universal secondary education as a national policy[7]. The OECS Education Sector Strategy 2012 – 2021[8] sees universal primary and secondary education as ‘almost universal’ in member states, including Dominica. 88% attendance is the figure given by the 2010 CDB report[9] on poverty in Dominica. The OECS strategy also sees ‘increasing inequality’ and ‘gender disparities’ emerging in Dominican education outcomes[10]. Local NGOs[11] report poor attendance in some groups and a lack of opportunities for technical and vocational education.

Recommendation

That the Government of Dominica:

3.1       Provide adequate vocational and technical education opportunities at the      secondary level, with a focus on local employment needs.

3.2       Ensure the education system monitors school attendance and develops          programmes to increase attendance rates, to achieve universal primary and         secondary education outcomes.

4.         Right to Education for Children with Disabilities

There were two recommendations in 2009 which Dominica accepted concerning children with disabilities (recs.70.27, 70.28) and one concerning employment of persons with disabilities (rec.70.40)[12]. Yet a local NGO[13] in 2012 called for a survey to determine how many children with disabilities there were in Dominica, and announced the first respite centre for children with serious disabilities was still under construction. While earlier reports[14] praised the centre in Roseau (run by an NGO) for children with developmental disabilities and the government school in Roseau for children with severe hearing loss, they also said there was no provision of education services for children with sight impairment. A 2013 article[15] confirms that situation today.

Recommendation

That the Government of Dominica:

4.1       Provide an inclusive education for all children with disabilities, including    specialised centres for assessment and support, as needed.

5.         Right of the Child to Protection from Violence, Abuse and Exploitation

There were at least three recommendations accepted by Dominica in 2009 that would have strengthened child protection measures if implemented (recs.70.35, 70.39 and 70.43)[16]. But a 2013 report[17] lists domestic violence against women and children as ‘the most serious human rights problem’ in Dominica. Abuse and violence in the home has also been identified[18] as a major factor in discipline problems children face in schools. The CDB 2010 report on poverty in Dominica states: ‘It could be argued that the abuse of teenage and adolescent girls is almost institutionalised’[19].

Recommendation

That the Government of Dominica:

5.1       Invite the Special Rapporteur (violence against women, its causes and consequences) to visit Dominica.

5.2       Develop, in consultation with children and young people, a comprehensive child protection policy and national plan of action, including training for relevant personnel, a public education campaign on Child Protection, and an adequate number of Child Protection Units in major centres.