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In a monumental step for human rights in the Eastern Caribbean, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has declared sections 132 and 133 of the Criminal Code criminalizing buggery and gross indecency are inconsistent with various Constitutional rights protected under the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of Saint Lucia.

The Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) alongside United and Strong, welcome this historic ruling.

It comes as a beacon of hope amid recent setbacks, such as disappointments in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as well as Trinidad and Tobago, that have tested our region’s commitment to equality.

The decision of the Honourable Justice Innocent declared that sections 132 and 133 of the Criminal Code of Saint Lucia criminalizing consensual same sex intimacy in private contravene the rights to protection of the law, privacy, life, liberty, security of the person, freedom of expression, and protection from discrimination on the basis of sex (interpreted to include sexual orientation). Thereby affirming that such colonial-era laws are incompatible with modern democratic principles and human dignity.

This is the fourth major decision in a regional, five-country legal challenge led by ECADE since 2020, following similar rulings in Antigua and Barbuda (June 2022), Saint Kitts and Nevis (August 2022) and Barbados (December 2022).

Despite infrequent enforcement, these outdated laws have long fueled stigma, discrimination and violence.

The court declaring these provisions unconstitutional and ordering that the law be read in a way that removes discriminatory language and recognises the rights of all consenting adults, regardless of gender, affirms the dignity and humanity of LGBTQ+ individuals in Saint Lucia.

Kenita Placide, Executive Director of ECADE and long-time LGBTQ+ advocate in Saint Lucia, hailed the decision;

“This decision is deeply personal. For many years we’ve worked to see the rights, lives and dignity of LGBTQ+ persons in Saint Lucia and the OECS protected.

Today’s ruling is not just a win in the courts, it also represents a step towards justice for the many lives lost to violence simply for being themselves. It signals that our Caribbean can and must be a place where all people are free and equal under the law.’

ECADE commends the bravery of the claimants and the legal team, led by Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes, and Attorney-at-Law Veronica Cenac.

This case marks another turning point in a growing movement across the Caribbean to repeal discriminatory laws and affirm LGBTQ+ rights. This judgment affirms what we have always known: that LGBTQ+ Saint Lucians deserve to live without fear of criminalisation.

ECADE remains steadfast in its commitment across an intersection of issues to advancing justice, equality, and dignity for all LGBTQ+ people and other vulnerable groups in the Eastern Caribbean and beyond.

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Minister for Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Hon. Anthony Smith Jr., has expressed satisfaction with the progress made in restoring and boosting production of the Antigua Black Pineapple.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has embarked on an ambitious initiative to revive the iconic fruit, with a goal of cultivating over 200,000 plants by the end of 2026.

The first step in the restoration process involved selecting premium strains of the Antigua Black Pineapple from 10 local farmers. These selected strains underwent a tissue culture clean-up process and were sent to a laboratory in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for propagation.

“We had our first 15,000 slips come in from the lab in St. Vincent. At Cades Bay, we have already planted all 15,000 of those pineapple slips, and we are now awaiting an additional 15,000 to arrive.

We are also working with our local pineapple farmers to obtain more slips, which are currently being planted at Cades Bay as well. I must say again that I am very proud of the Ministry of Agriculture and where we are at the moment with the resuscitation of the Antigua Black Pineapple,” Minister Smith stated.

According to the Minister, Antiguans and Barbudans will have an opportunity to witness the progress made during Piango Fest, scheduled for October 17th at Cades Bay.

“I’ll use this opportunity to invite the local population to Piango Fest on October 17th, which will be held at Cades Bay—the same location where the pineapples are being cultivated.

As part of the event, we will have officers from the station available to guide members of the public through the fields and demonstrate the progress we’ve made with the resuscitation effort,” he added.

Minister Smith also acknowledged the critical support of regional and international partners in the restoration efforts.

“Again, we are very proud of where we are. We must thank our partners: IICA for the role they’ve played, CARDI, who have also made a major contribution, and the FAO for their assistance.

Most importantly, we must thank the Government of Antigua and Barbuda for the resources they have committed to the resuscitation of our Antiguan Black Pineapple.”

He emphasized the pivotal role of local farmers and revealed that, once available, the Ministry will begin distributing pineapple heads to farmers to support wider cultivation.

He also encouraged youth participation in agriculture, especially in pineapple production, highlighting its profitability and strong government support.

The Antigua Black Pineapple, renowned for its distinctive sweetness, is more than just a crop—it is a national treasure and a powerful symbol of Antigua and Barbuda’s agricultural heritage.

This initiative not only safeguards the genetic legacy of the fruit but also promotes it on local, regional, and international platforms.

Antigua and Barbuda’s passport has secured the 26th spot in the latest Henley Passport Index for July 2025, allowing visa-free access to 152 destinations worldwide. This ranking positions the twin-island nation among the top Caribbean passports, just below Barbados, which leads the region at 20th place with access to 163 destinations.

The Henley Passport Index, which evaluates 199 passports and 227 travel destinations globally, is recognized as an authoritative reference for global mobility and policy-making. It highlights the strength of passports based on visa-free travel capabilities.

In the wider Caribbean context, the Bahamas follows closely behind Barbados at 21st place, enabling visa-free travel to 159 countries. Other notable Caribbean nations include St. Vincent and the Grenadines ranked 24th with 156 destinations, and St. Kitts and Nevis at 25th place, offering access to 154 countries.

Within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Antigua and Barbuda ranks above several counterparts including St. Lucia, positioned at 30th with access to 146 destinations, Grenada at 29th (147 destinations), and Dominica at 32nd place with visa-free access to 143 destinations. This places Antigua and Barbuda in a favorable position in comparison to its OECS neighbors, highlighting its relative strength in regional passport power.

Regionally, Antigua and Barbuda has also surpassed Trinidad and Tobago (28th place, 148 destinations). Jamaica ranks significantly lower at 56th with visa-free access to only 88 countries.

This index, updated regularly with expert analysis, underscores the Caribbean’s varied passport strengths and highlights Antigua and Barbuda’s continuing attractiveness as a destination for global travelers and investors.

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court struck down a colonial-era law in St. Lucia that criminalized gay sex in a ruling Tuesday celebrated by activists in the largely conservative region.

The court found that the island’s so-called buggery and gross indecency laws were unconstitutional.

Raise Your Voice St. Lucia, a nonprofit organization, called it a “monumental step for human rights in the Eastern Caribbean.”

“It comes as a beacon of hope amid recent setbacks, such as disappointments in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as well as Trinidad and Tobago, that have tested our region’s commitment to equality,” the group said.

St. Lucia’s colonial-era law penalized gay sex with up to 10 years in prison. While the government didn’t enforce the law, activists and legal experts say it remained a threat to the island’s LGBTQ+ community.

“The mere existence of this provision is itself a violation of human rights and underpins further acts of discrimination,” according to Human Dignity Trust, a U.K.-based legal organization that helped work on the case.

In 2019, the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality filed five legal challenges against such laws in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia.

In 2022, courts in Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis struck down those laws.

Last year, a court in Dominica did the same.

“Today’s ruling is not just a win in the courts, it also represents a step towards justice for the many lives lost to violence simply for being themselves,” said Kenita Placide, the alliance’s executive director. “It signals that our Caribbean can and must be a place where all people are free and equal under the law.”

Only five Caribbean nations still penalize gay sex: Jamaica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago, where an appeals court earlier this year overturned a ruling that decriminalized gay sex.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community have fled those islands following violent attacks.

The UNAIDS Caribbean office celebrated Tuesday’s ruling, as did J’Moul Francis, foreign affairs minister for Antigua and Barbuda.

“Human rights in the Eastern Caribbean continue to advance as the colonial legacies of these unconstitutional provisions continue to fall,” he wrote on X. “However, more still needs to be done across the region to ensure that progress is real, practical, and effective for LGBTQ+ individuals.”

Antigua and Barbuda is mourning the death of promising young cricketer Vonde Bowers, who was killed in a recent act of violence.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne expressed deep sorrow over Bowers’ passing, describing it as a loss not just to sport but to the nation’s future. In a statement, he warned that youth violence poses an “existential threat” to the Caribbean and called for a united response.

“The government cannot do it alone,” Browne said, urging families, churches, educators, and community leaders to work together. He emphasised the importance of strong parenting and home environments in addressing the root causes of violence.

Browne extended condolences to Bowers’ family and called for a “whole-of-society” approach to confront the crisis.

The death of the young athlete has sparked renewed calls for action on youth safety and conflict resolution across the region.

Officers from the police and defence forces along with disaster personnel are joining their regional counterparts in a one-week Caricom Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) training here on island aimed at strengthening their disaster relief response capabilities.

The training, being hosted by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), in partnership with the Regional Security System (RSS), is targeting approximately 40 participants from Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts/Nevis, Grenada, Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands, St Lucia, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Caricom Disaster Relief Unit serves as a vital first relief mechanism, comprising the military, fire service, and police personnel from CDEMA participating states. This enables the unit to provide immediate humanitarian assistance, facilitate logistics, support emergency telecommunications and coordinate national and regional relief efforts.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop on Monday on behalf of the Executive Director of CDEMA Elizabeth Riley, Programme Director Rasheed Pinder said the training was a critical step in enhancing the region’s preparedness and resilience considering the occurrence of more severe and frequent hazards.

Deputy Director of NODS Craig Cole noted that participants should not just strengthen themselves but the region as well. Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Philip of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force believes camaraderie among participants will enhance teamwork.

Support for the training has also come from the United States Southern Command (US Southcom) represented by Coalition Affairs Director David Greene. US Southcom comprises military and civilian personnel who are responsible for providing contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation in the Caribbean and other regions.

The Caricom Disaster Relief Unit training, being held at Crabbes, will focus on topics such as regional relief and logistics plan, telecommunications, basic safer building and engineering techniques and improved team coordination. – **_the end_** –