Barbados to recognise same-sex civil unions, anyone in possession of 14 grams or half an ounce or less of marijuana will no longer be arrested, and a change to republican status by next year are among some of the policies and programmes of the Government of Barbados over the next three years.
The Throne Speech was delivered by Governor General, Dame Sandra Mason, GCMG, D.A., Q.C., at the state opening of Parliament on Tuesday, September 15, 2020.
The Parliament reconvened today.
Same-Sex Civil Unions
"Barbados is now increasingly finding itself on international lists, including within the multilateral system, which identify us as having a poor human rights record.
"...If we wish to be considered among the progressive nations of the world, Barbados cannot afford to lose its international leadership place and reputation.
"...In that regard, my Government is prepared to recognise a form of civil unions for couples of the same gender so as to ensure that no human being in Barbados will be discriminated against, in exercise of civil rights that ought to be theirs," said Dame Sandra.
Civil unions usually provide the couple with specific rights, similar to the ones that married couples receive, but they do not necessarily enjoy all of the same rights that heterosexual couples do. For example, In some places, civil unions prevent the couple from the right to adopt a child.
Marijuana Possession
"We will therefore amend our Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act to provide that possession of 14 grams, or half an ounce or less of cannabis is no longer an offence for which one can be arrested, charged and tried; and will therefore not result in an appearance before the Magistrates Court or in a criminal record. The possession will still be unlawful, and will still be punished, but there will be a new approach to how we treat the offender, which is already being used successfully in Jamaica and St. Vincent," said Dame Sandra.
Republican Status
"Barbados will take the next logical step toward full sovereignty and become a Republic by the time we celebrate our 55th Anniversary of Independence," said Dame Sandra.
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