Topic: Rights of Accused
Country: Trinidad and Tobago
Delegate Name: Sarah Flowers
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Trinidad and Tobago position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Each country has their own views and policies on human rights issues and rights of the accused. The United Nations established the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which states that all individuals accused have the rights to a lawyer and trial. The UDHR also states that the accused are innocent until proven guilty. These policies are recognized as good-willed and may work for other nations, however, Trinidad and Tobago does not abide by these policies.
Trinidad and Tobago has held a firm stance regarding LGBT rights for as long as they have been prevalent in society. Today, we stand by our beliefs that homosexuality is wrong, and we reflect this in our laws and try to preserve our traditional values and family structures. Because of our strong and unwavering position, the individuals accused of committing acts of homosexuality are not provided with rights to a lawyer or trial. While to some this may seem harsh, in Trinidad and Tobago these policies are seen just and necessary in order to uphold the law.
As of late, there have been pushes from LGBT rights activist groups targeted at the Caribbean Court of Justice and our decision not to legalize acts of homosexuality. Despite the recent attention to our strict policies, we stand by our decisions and believe that we are doing what is right for the country.
While we do not allow homosexuality or give rights to those accused, any violence against those suspected or accused is prohibited and punishable by law.
