E/C.12/GUY/CO/2-4

Guyana (CESCR 28-10-2015)

1. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the combined second to fourth periodic reports of Guyana on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/GUY/2-4) at its 60th and 61st meetings (see E/C.12/2015/SR.60 and 61), held on 28 and 29 September 2015, and adopted the following concluding observations at its 78th meeting, held on 9 October 2015.
2. The Committee had considered the initial report of Guyana during its sixteenth session, held from 28 April to 16 May 1997, and had concluded the review without adopting concluding observations owing to the fact that the information provided was not sufficient to assess the effective implementation of the rights enshrined in the Covenant in the State party.
3. The Committee welcomes the combined second to fourth periodic reports submitted by the State party, despite the long delay in submission, and the supplementary information provided in the replies to the list of issues (E/C.12/GUY/Q/2-4/Add.1). The Committee also appreciates the constructive dialogue held with the State party’s high-level delegation.

Concluding observations

C. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons

24. The Committee is concerned that the same-sex relations between consenting adults and cross-gender dressing are criminalized in the State party under sections 351 to 353 of the Criminal Law Offences Act (art. 2 (2)).
25. The Committee recommends that the State party repeal the criminalization of same-sex relations between consenting adults and cross-gender dressing. It also recommends that the State party provide effective protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons against any form of discrimination on the ground of their sexual orientation.