Montserrat: Information on the general human rights situation
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MSR26391.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Montserrat: Information on the general human rights situation, 1 February 1997, MSR26391.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab6164.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Information on the above-mentioned topic is scarce among the sources consulted by the DIRB.
However, an 18 March 1996 Houston Chronicle article noted that there is an "absence of racial tensions" and "no anti-white sentiment" in Montserrat. Freedom of the press is generally respected and censorship is not practiced, but there are no foreign journalists on the island (L'information dans le monde 1989, 389). Radio and television stations must obtain government licences to broadcast, although these are reportedly easy to obtain (ibid.). Please find attached excerpts from the United Nations Committee Against Torture documents that provide information on the system of legal redress available to an individual who claims to have been mistreated by a Montserrat government official or member of the state security forces. Please consult Freedom in the World 1994-1995, L'etat du monde 1994 and L'etat du monde 1996, which are available at Regional Documentation Centres, for additional information on the human rights situation in Montserrat.
Also please find attached additional information on the November 1996 elections and recent political events.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
The Houston Chronicle. 18 March 1996. 3 Star Edition. Anne-Marie O'Connor. "Island Embraces St. Patrick's Day's Irish, African Roots." (NEXIS)
L'information dans le monde: 206 pays au microscope. 1989. Paris: Éditions du Seuil, pp. 388-390.
Attachments
Caribbean and Central America Report [London]. 12 December 1996. "Montserrat: Osbourne and Mead in Coalition," p. 7.
_____. 7 November 1996. "Montserrat: Early Polls After Two Ministers Resign," p. 7.
L'information dans le monde: 206 pays au microscope. 1989. Paris: Éditions du Seuil, pp. 388-390.
South America, Central America and the Caribbean 1997. 1997. 6th ed. London: Europa Publications, p. 474.
United Nations. Committee Against Torture.. 1993 (48th session). Consideration of Reports Submitted by State Parties Under Article 19 of the Convention: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Dependent Territories. A/48/44.[Internet] [Internet] [Accessed 20 Feb. 1997]
_____. 3 June 1992.. Consideration of Reports Submitted by State Parties Under Article 19 of the Convention:Initial Reports of State Parties Due in 1990: Addendum:United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Dependent Territories (30 April 1992). CAT/C/9/Add.10, pp. 9-16.
Additional Sources Consulted
Amnesty International Report. Yearly. 1994-1996.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Yearly. 1994-1997.
Critique: Review of the Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Yearly. 1994.
L'État du monde. Yearly. 1994-1996.
The Europa World Year Book. Yearly. 1994-1996.
Freedom in the World: The Annual Survey of Political Rights & Civil Liberties 1994-95. 1995.
La grande encyclopédie du monde. 1989.
Human Rights in Developing Countries. Yearly. 1994-1996
Human Rights Watch World Report. Yearly. 1994-1997
The New Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1989.
Political Parties of the Americas, 1980s to 1990s: Canada, Latin America and the West Indies. 1992.
The Third World Guide 93/94. 1994.
World Human Rights Guide. 1992.
One source consulted did not provide information on the requested subject.
On-line search of media sources.
