CEDAW/C/GUY/CO/9

Guyana (CEDAW 30-07-2019)

The Committee considered the ninth periodic report of Guyana (CEDAW/C/GUY/9) at its 1706th and 1707th meetings (see CEDAW/C/SR.1706 and
CEDAW/C/SR.1707), held on 12 July 2019. The list of issues and questions raised by the pre-sessional working group is contained in CEDAW/C/GUY/Q/9 and the responses of Guyana are contained in CEDAW/C/GUY/Q/9/Add.1.

Concluding observations

E. Principal areas of concern and recommendations

Lesbian, bisexual, transgender women and intersex persons

47. The Committee notes the ongoing development of training tools for health-care workers on stigma and discrimination against lesbian, bisexual, transgender women and intersex persons. It expresses concern, however, that lesbian, bisexual, transgender women and intersex persons face discrimination in law and in practice in the State party, as well as physical and sexual violence, including at the hands of law enforcement officers. Moreover, it is concerned at delays in adopting legislation protecting lesbian, bisexual, transgender women and intersex persons from discrimination at work and in health-care facilities, hate crimes, gender-based violence and arbitrary arrest by law enforcement officers.
48. The Committee recalls its previous concluding observations (CEDAW/C/GUY/CO/7-8, para. 23 (f)) and recommends that the State party adopt legislative and policy measures to protect lesbian, bisexual, transgender women and intersex persons from discrimination, including at work, in health-care facilities and by law enforcement personnel, and from hate crimes, gender-based violence and arbitrary arrest, to investigate, prosecute and adequately punish perpetrators of such acts, in line with commitments made during the universal periodic review (A/HRC/29/16, paras. 130.25–130.27), and to provide safe spaces, support and reparation, including compensation, to victims.