# Antigua and Barbuda - United States Department of State

- Antigua and Barbuda HomeReportsBureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices&#8230;Antigua and Barbuda				hide	document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) {	if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}});																							2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Antigua and Barbuda																																					Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor																																																																																							Download Report																																																							Translations																																																																 In this section										/																							EXECUTIVE SUMMARY																																													EXECUTIVE SUMMARY																															Section 1. Respect for the Integrity of the Person																																																									a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings																																																																											b. Disappearance																																																																											c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses																																																																			Prison and Detention Center Conditions																																																																																																																		d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention																																																																			Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees																																																																																																																		e. Denial of Fair Public Trial																																																																			Trial Procedures																																																								Political Prisoners and Detainees																																																																																																																		f. Transnational Repression																																																																											g. Property Seizure and Restitution																																																																											h. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence																																																																																	Section 2. Respect for Civil Liberties																																																									a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media																																																																			Internet Freedom																																																																																																																		b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association																																																																											c. Freedom of Religion																																																																											d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country																																																																											e. Protection of Refugees																																																																																	Section 3. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process																																																									Elections and Political Participation																																																																																	Section 4. Corruption in Government																															Section 5. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Monitoring and Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights																															Section 6. Discrimination and Societal Abuses																																																									Women																																																																											Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination																																																																											Children																																																																											Antisemitism																																																																											Trafficking in Persons																																																																											Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics																																																																											Persons with Disabilities																																																																																	Section 7. Worker Rights																																																									a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining																																																																											b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor																																																																											c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment																																																																											d. Discrimination (see section 6)																																																																											e. Acceptable Conditions of Work																																																																																																							EXECUTIVE SUMMARY				There were no significant changes in the human rights situation in Antigua and Barbuda during the year.There were no credible reports of significant human rights abuses.The government took credible steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses.																														Section 1.													 Respect for the Integrity of the Person												    																																																a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings										There were no reports the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings, during the year.																																				b. Disappearance										There were no reports of disappearances by or on behalf of government authorities.																																				c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses										The constitution prohibited such practices, and there were no credible reports that government officials employed them.																Prison and Detention Center Conditions						Prison and detention center conditions were harsh due to overcrowding and outdated infrastructure.Abusive Physical Conditions:  The country’s sole prison, built in 1735, was grossly overcrowded.  Some juveniles were held with adults.  Prison officials reported that outdated, inadequate infrastructure was the main problem, in addition to contraband and corruption.Administration:  The superintendent of prisons reviewed reports of mistreatment and forwarded them to a prison-visiting committee for further investigation.Independent Monitoring:  The government permitted prison visits by independent nongovernmental observers.																										d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention										The constitution prohibited arbitrary arrest and detention and provided for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of their arrest or detention in court.  The government generally observed these requirements.																Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees						The law permitted police to arrest a person without a warrant, based on a suspicion of criminal activity.  Police were required to bring detainees before a court within 48 hours of arrest or detention or file a motion requesting an extension.  The law stipulated that prisoners be released if these time limits were not met.  There was a functioning bail system, but a person charged with murder did not have the right to bail.  The government paid for the cost of a lawyer in capital cases if a defendant was unable to afford one.																										e. Denial of Fair Public Trial										The constitution provided for an independent judiciary, and the government generally respected judicial independence and impartiality.																Trial Procedures						The constitution provided for the right to a fair and public trial, and the judiciary generally enforced this right.						Political Prisoners and Detainees						There were no reports of political prisoners or detainees.																										f. Transnational Repression										Not applicable.																																				g. Property Seizure and Restitution										Not applicable.																																				h. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence										The constitution prohibited such actions, and there were no reports that the government failed to respect these prohibitions.																																					Section 2.													 Respect for Civil Liberties												    																																																a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media										The constitution provided for freedom of expression, including for the press and other media, and the government generally respected this right.  An independent media, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combined to promote freedom of expression, including for media members.  According to election observers, there was a need to “de-politicize the media landscape” and to provide equal access to all media.																Internet Freedom						The government did not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content.																										b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association										The constitution provided for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and the government generally respected these rights.																																				c. Freedom of Religion										See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report at  https://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/.																																				d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country										The law provided for freedom of internal movement, foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation, and the government generally respected these rights.																																				e. Protection of Refugees										The government cooperated with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and other humanitarian organizations in providing protection and assistance to refugees, returning refugees, or asylum seekers, as well as other persons of concern.Access to Asylum:  The law did not provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status, and the government had not established a system for providing protection to refugees.  The government handled asylum requests on an ad hoc basis.Temporary Protection:  The government provided temporary protection to approximately 700 individuals from Africa who may not qualify as refugees.																																					Section 3.													 Freedom to Participate in the Political Process												    																						The constitution provided citizens the ability to choose their government in free and fair periodic elections held by secret ballot and based on universal and equal suffrage.																										Elections and Political Participation										Abuses or Irregularities in Recent Elections:  The most recent national elections, held on January 18, were reported to be generally fair and free of abuses.  Independent observer groups, however, noted some irregularities regarding accuracy and transparency of the voters list.																																					Section 4.													 Corruption in Government												    																						The law provided criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government did not implement the law effectively.  There were isolated reports of government corruption.Corruption:  The government pursued corruption cases, but media noted public discontent that allegations of high-level corruption were not properly investigated or punished.For additional information about corruption in the country, please see the Department of State’s Investment Climate Statement for the country, and the Department of State’s International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, which includes information on financial crimes.																											Section 5.													 Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Monitoring and Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights												    																						A number of domestic and international human rights groups generally operated without government restriction to monitor or investigate human rights conditions or cases and publish their findings.  Government officials were generally cooperative and responsive to the views of these groups.Government Human Rights Bodies:  An independent ombudsman appointed by parliament handled public complaints against police, government officials, and government offices.  The ombudsman took complaints, conducted investigations, and made recommendations to the relevant authorities.  Civil society groups generally considered the ombudsman relatively independent with limited effectiveness.																											Section 6.													 Discrimination and Societal Abuses												    																																																Women										Rape and Domestic Violence:  The law criminalized rape of women, as well as domestic or intimate partner rape and other forms of domestic and sexual violence, including so-called corrective rape of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons.  The law established sentences ranging from 10 years’ to life imprisonment for conviction.  Spousal rape was illegal under certain limited circumstances, such as after a legal separation, with a punishment of 15 years’ imprisonment.  Rape of men was prosecuted under sexual assault and violence statutes.  The government generally enforced the law effectively.Violence against women, including rape and spousal abuse, was a serious problem.  The law prohibited domestic violence but was not enforced.  Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) reported a 15 to 20 percent increase in sexual assaults of women.Authorities stated they had several domestic violence programs, including training for law enforcement officers, health-care professionals, counselors, social workers, immigration officers, and army officers.  An NGO reported the government provided a hotline, counseling, social services, and psychosocial care to survivors but noted there was no dedicated safe house.Other Forms of Gender-based Violence or Harassment:  The law prohibited sexual assault but did not prohibit sexual harassment.Discrimination:  The law provided the same legal status and rights for women as for men, and the law was generally respected.  The law did not specifically prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace.  The labor code stipulated it was unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an individual because of their gender.Reproductive Rights:  There were no reports of coerced abortion or involuntary sterilization on the part of government authorities.There were no legal barriers to accessing contraception, but some religious beliefs created social barriers that made it difficult for individuals to access contraception.  Sexual and reproductive health information and services were generally affordable and accessible to all.The government provided access to sexual and reproductive health services, including emergency contraception and postexposure prophylaxis for survivors of sexual violence.																																				Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination										The law protected all citizens from broad forms of discrimination, and the government enforced the law effectively.  According to government officials, systemic racial or ethnic discrimination was not a concern.  There were no reports of systemic discrimination.																																				Children										Child Abuse:  The law stipulated a significant fine or three years in prison for conviction of child abuse.  The law included provisions regarding child-care services and the placing of abused children in the care of government authorities.  The government enforced the law effectively.Child, Early, and Forced Marriage:  The legal minimum age for marriage was 18.  The government enforced the law effectively.  Children ages 16-17 could marry with parental consent.Sexual Exploitation of Children:  The law prohibited the sale, grooming, or use of children for commercial sexual exploitation, including sex trafficking.  The law prohibited child pornography or other forms of online child sexual exploitation and abuse.  The government generally enforced the law effectively.  Child pornography was illegal and subject to fines and up to 20 years in prison.  The minimum age for consensual sex was 16.																																				Antisemitism										The Jewish community was very small, and there were no known reports of antisemitic incidents.																																				Trafficking in Persons										See the Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report at  https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/.																																				Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics										Criminalization:  Sections of the law that criminalized certain sexual activities between same-sex consenting adults were ruled unconstitutional in 2022 by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, but as of year’s end, the law was not amended.  Sodomy was criminalized under indecency statutes, with a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment, and consensual same-sex sexual conduct between men or between women was criminalized, with a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.  The law regarding sodomy and same-sex sexual conduct was not enforced; however, the existence of the law fostered stigma and discrimination against persons who engaged in homosexual acts or who were perceived to be LGBTQI+ persons.Violence and Harassment:  There were no reports of violence or harassment committed by police, other government agents, or nonstate actors against LGBTQI+ persons due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation.  NGO representatives reported a reduction in antagonistic behavior towards LGBTQI+ persons.  They noted the general community and family members were more accepting following the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judgment.Discrimination:  The law did not prohibit discrimination by state and nonstate actors based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.  NGOs reported that LGBTQI+ persons faced problems finding employment.The law did not explicitly recognize LGBTQI+ couples and their families or grant them rights equal to other persons.Availability of Legal Gender Recognition:  There were no legal processes that enabled individuals to change their gender identify marker on legal and identification documents to align with their self-identified gender identity.Involuntary or Coercive Medical or Psychological Practices:  There was no reported practice of so-called conversion therapy to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.  There were no reports of medically unnecessary and irreversible “normalization” surgeries performed on children or nonconsenting adult intersex persons.Restrictions of Freedom of Expression, Association, or Peaceful Assembly:  There were no laws or other restrictions on freedom of expression, association, or peaceful assembly regarding LGBTQI+ matters.																																				Persons with Disabilities										NGOs and private citizens reported that individuals with disabilities faced unequal access to education, employment, health services, public buildings, and transportation.  The law prohibited any form of discrimination based on disability and stipulated a moderate fine or two years’ imprisonment for violations.  Authorities stated the law required that persons with disabilities be able to access education, health services, public buildings, and transportation on an equal basis with all other persons; however, the law was not fully implemented or enforced.  Antigua amended legislation to mandate reserved parking spaces for persons with disabilities.  This legislation was partially implemented.NGOs reported that a small percentage of children with disabilities attended public schools, especially at the secondary level and above.  Learners with disabilities usually attended specialized schools because traditional public schools did not have the resources to assist them.  NGOs reported that families unable to pay for private education often kept children with disabilities hidden away at home.Institutionalized Children:  Children and adults with disabilities were sometimes placed in residential institutions by their families.  There were allegations that some individuals were forced to stay in such institutions against their will.																																					Section 7.													 Worker Rights												    																																																a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining										The law provided for the right of workers to form and join independent unions.  The law also provided for the right to bargain collectively and a limited right to conduct legal strikes.  The Court of Industrial Relations could limit the right to strike in a dispute.  Once either party to a dispute requested the court to mediate, no strikes were allowed.  Due to delays associated with this process, unions often resolved labor disputes before a strike was called.  The law prohibited antiunion discrimination by employers but did not specifically require reinstatement of workers illegally fired for union activity.Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining were generally respected for citizen workers, as well as migrant laborers.  There were no reports of antiunion discrimination, nor were there reports of violations of collective bargaining rights.Workers who provided essential services (including water, electricity, hospital, fire, prison, air traffic control, meteorology, telecommunications, government printing office, and port authority) were required to give two weeks’ notice of intent to strike.  The definition of essential services was broader than what the International Labor Organization generally considered essential.  If either party to a dispute requested court mediation, strikes were prohibited under penalty of imprisonment for any private-sector worker and some government workers.  The Industrial Relations Court could issue an injunction against a legal strike when the national interest was threatened or affected.  The law prohibited retaliation against strikers.Penalties for violating labor laws ranged from a minor fine to two months in prison and were commensurate with those for denials of other civil rights.  Penalties were regularly applied against violators.  The government enforced the right of association and collective bargaining.  Administrative and judicial procedures, however, were often subject to lengthy delays and appeals.																																				b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor										See the Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report at  https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/.																																				c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment										Laws collectively prohibited the worst forms of child labor, but specific details were not in any single statute.  The government enforced child labor laws, and there were no confirmed reports during the year of the worst forms of child labor.  Penalties against violators were regularly applied.The law stipulated a minimum working age of 16, although work prohibitions did not apply to family businesses.  In some circumstances, children younger than 16 were eligible for employment with restrictions, such as not working during school hours and working a maximum number of hours.  Persons younger than 18 were not allowed to work past 10 p.m., except in certain sectors, and in some cases were required to have a medical clearance to obtain employment.  No list of types of hazardous work existed for the protection of those younger than 18.The law required the Ministry of Labour to conduct periodic inspections of workplaces.  There were no reports of illegal child labor; however, there were no child labor inspections.  The law allowed for a small financial penalty or three months in prison for violations.  Penalties were less than for analogous serious crimes.																																				d. Discrimination (see section 6)																																														e. Acceptable Conditions of Work										Wage and Hour Laws:  The law provided for a minimum wage for all categories.  The minimum wage was more than the official estimate by the World Bank for the poverty income level.The law provided that workers were not required to work more than a 48-hour, six-day workweek.  The law required that employees be paid for overtime work at one and one-half times their basic hourly wage after exceeding 40 hours in the workweek.  The Ministry of Labour put few limitations on overtime, allowing it in temporary or occasional cases, but did not allow employers to make regular overtime compulsory.  Penalties for illegal overtime did not effectively deter labor violations.Occupational Safety and Health:  The law included occupational safety and health (OSH) provisions, but some were out of date.  Government entities responsible for verifying OSH compliance identified unsafe conditions and responded to workers’ OSH complaints.  The Ministry of Labour reported that workers were allowed to remove themselves from unsafe situations that endangered their health or safety without jeopardizing their employment.  The ministry had the authority to require special safety measures not otherwise defined in the law for worker safety.Wage, Hour, and OSH Enforcement:  The government exercised limited enforcement of minimum wage, overtime, and OSH laws.  Penalties were commensurate with those for similar crimes such as fraud or negligence.  Penalties were sometimes applied against violators.  Labor inspectors were responsible for enforcement of labor laws in the formal and informal sectors.  The government reported there were four labor inspectors, which was insufficient to enforce full compliance per International Labor Organization benchmarks.  Inspectors had the authority to conduct unannounced inspections and initiate sanctions.The government estimated that 15 percent of the workforce was in the informal sector.  The government exercised limited enforcement of labor laws in this sector.																																				    							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Respect for the Integrity of the Person																																							a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings																																																						b. Disappearance																																																						c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses																																																				Prison and Detention Center Conditions																																																																																				d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention																																																				Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees																																																																																				e. Denial of Fair Public Trial																																																				Trial Procedures																																												Political Prisoners and Detainees																																																																																				f. Transnational Repression																																																						g. Property Seizure and Restitution																																																						h. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence																																																			Section 2. Respect for Civil Liberties																																							a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media																																																				Internet Freedom																																																																																				b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association																																																						c. Freedom of Religion																																																						d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country																																																						e. Protection of Refugees																																																			Section 3. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process																																							Elections and Political Participation																																																			Section 4. Corruption in Government																Section 5. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Monitoring and Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights																Section 6. Discrimination and Societal Abuses																																							Women																																																						Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination																																																						Children																																																						Antisemitism																																																						Trafficking in Persons																																																						Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics																																																						Persons with Disabilities																																																			Section 7. Worker Rights																																							a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining																																																						b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor																																																						c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment																																																						d. Discrimination (see section 6)																																																						e. Acceptable Conditions of Work																																																									Tags																					Antigua and Barbuda																								Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor																								Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
- مكافآت من أجل العدالة: عرض المكافأة مقابل الحصول على معلومات بشأن شبكات حماس المالية وزارة الخارجية الأمريكيةمكتب المتحدث الرسميتعميم إعلامي5 كانون الثاني/يناير، 2024يعرض برنامج مكافآت من أجل العدالة التابع لوزارة الخارجية الأمريكية مكافأة تصل إلى 10 ملايين دولار مقابل معلومات تؤدي إلى تعطيل الآليات المالية لمنظمة حماس الإرهابية الأجنبية.وتسعى الوزارة، وبموجب عرض المكافأة، إلى الحصول على معلومات عن الميسرين الماليين لحماس وهم عبد الباسط حمزة الحسن خير وعامر كمال شريف الشوا وأحمد سدو جهلب وكذلك وليد محمد مصطفى جادالله ومحمد أحمد عبد الدايم نصرالله.وإن عبد الباسط حمزة الحسن محمد خير، &#8220;حمزة&#8221;، ممول لحركة حماس مقيم في السودان، وقد أدار العديد من الشركات في المحفظة الاستثمارية لحركة حماس وشارك سابقا في تحويل ما يقرب من 20 مليون دولار إلى حماس، بما في ذلك الأموال المرسلة مباشرة إلى المسؤول المالي الكبير في حماس ماهر جواد يونس صلاح، المدرج في القائمة الخاصة بالولايات المتحدة للإرهابيين العالميين.وتشمل الشبكة التي يستخدمها حمزة لغسل الأموال وتوليد الإيرادات لحماس شركة الرواد للتطوير العقاري ومقرها في السودان، والتي أدرجتها وزارة الخزانة الأمريكية في القائمة الخاصة بالإرهابيين العالميين. كما يحظى حمزة بعلاقات تمويلية طويلة الأمد مع تنظيم القاعدة والشركات المرتبطة بأسامة بن لادن في السودان.وأما عامر كمال شريف الشوا وأحمد سدو جهلب وكذلك وليد محمد مصطفى جاد الله، فهم عناصر من حماس وهم جزء من شبكة حماس الاستثمارية في تركيا.ويشغل الشوا، المقيم في تركيا، منصب الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة Trend GYO وعمل كعضو مجلس إدارة في العديد من شركات المحفظة الاستثمارية لحركة حماس.وشغل جهلب، المقيم في تركيا، منصب أمين محفظة حماس الاستثمارية وكذلك يقوم بتنسيق الأنشطة المختلفة للشركات التي تديرها حماس ومسؤولي حماس.كما شغل جادالله في مجلس أدارة العديد من شركات محفظة حماس الاستثمارية.ويعد محمد أحمد عبد الدايم نصر الله ناشط قديم في حماس وله علاقات وثيقة مع الكيانات الإيرانية. وقد شارك في تحويل عشرات الملايين من الدولارات إلى حماس، بما في ذلك إلى الجناح العسكري لحماس، كتائب عز الدين القسام.وأدرجت وزارة الخزانة الأمريكية جميع الأفراد الخمسة، بتاريخ 18 تشرين الأول/أكتوبر 2023، ضمن القائمة الخاصة بالإرهابيين العالميين وبموجب الأمر الإداري ذو الرقم 13224، بصيغته المعدلة، والذي يستهدف المجموعات الإرهابية ومؤيديها.وصنفت وزارة الخارجية الأمريكية حركة حماس منظمة إرهابية أجنبية في تشرين الأول/أكتوبر 1997 وكيانا للإرهابيين العالميين في تشرين الأول/أكتوبر 2001.ويمكن تقديم مكافآت مقابل معلومات تؤدي إلى تحديد وتعطيل التالي:أي مصدر دخل لحماس أو آليات التسهيل المالي الرئيسية الخاصة بها،الجهات المانحة الرئيسية لحماس أو الميسرين الماليين لها.المؤسسات المالية أو مكاتب الصرافة التي تسهل معاملات حماس.الشركات أو الاستثمارات المملوكة أو التي تديرها حماس أو مموليها.الشركات التي تعمل كواجهة في مجال المشتريات الدولية للتكنولوجيا ذات الاستخدام المزدوج لصالح حماس.مشاريع إجرامية منخرطة بها أعضاء حماس ومؤيدوها وتستفيد منها المنظمة ماليا.ويوجد مزيد من المعلومات بشأن عرض المكافأة على موقع مكافآت من أجل العدالة على الموقع الإلكتروني(www.rewardsforjustice.net). وينبغي على الشخص الذي لديه معلومات عن هؤلاء أو غيرهم من الميسرين الماليين لحماس الاتصال ببرنامج مكافآت من أجل العدالة عبر تطبيقات Signal أو Telegram أو WhatsApp على الرقم: +1-202-702-7843. وسيتم الحفاظ على المعلومات بمنتهى السرية.وقام برنامج المكافآت من أجل العدالة، ومنذ إنشائه في سنة 1984، بدفع ما يزيد عن 250 مليون دولار لأكثر من 125 شخصا في جميع أنحاء العالم للذين قدموا معلومات قابلة للتنفيذ ساعدت في إنهاء التهديدات التي يتعرض لها الأمن القومي الأمريكي. ويمكنكم متابعتنا على تطبيق X من خلال العنوان التالي: https://twitter.com/RFJ_USA   .يمكنك الاطلاع على المحتوى الأصلي من خلال الرابط أدناهhttps://www.state.gov/rewards-for-justice-reward-offer-for-information-on-hamas-financial-networks/هذه الترجمة هي خدمة مجانية مقدمة من وزارة الخارجية الأمريكية، مع الأخذ بالاعتبار أن النص الإنجليزي الأصلي هو النص الرسمي
- Antigua and Barbuda National Day Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of StateOn behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate Antigua and Barbuda on the 42nd anniversary of your Independence Day.Our countries share a commitment to democracy and a desire to promote a safe, resilient, and prosperous Caribbean region.  Through the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, we have made great strides in combating drugs and weapons trafficking, and under the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030), we pledge our close cooperation with Antigua and Barbuda on climate adaptation and resilience with the urgency these challenges demand.To all the people of Antigua and Barbuda, please accept congratulations from me and the American people on this joyous occasion.
- Antigua and Barbuda HomeReportsBureau of Economic and Business Affairs2023 Investment Climate Statements&#8230;Antigua and Barbuda				hide	document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) {	if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}});																							2023 Investment Climate Statements: Antigua and Barbuda																																																																																												 In this section										/																							EXECUTIVE SUMMARY																																													EXECUTIVE SUMMARY																															1. Openness To, and Restrictions Upon, Foreign Investment																																																									Policies Towards Foreign Direct Investment																																																																											Limits on Foreign Control and Right to Private Ownership and Establishment																																																																											Other Investment Policy Reviews																																																																											Business Facilitation																																																																											Outward Investment																																																																																	2. Bilateral Investment and Taxation Treaties																															3. Legal Regime																																																									Transparency of the Regulatory System																																																																											International Regulatory Considerations																																																																											Legal System and Judicial Independence																																																																											Laws and Regulations on Foreign Direct Investment																																																																											Citizenship by Investment																																																																											Competition and Antitrust Laws																																																																											Expropriation and Compensation																																																																											Dispute Settlement																																																																			ICSID Convention and New York Convention																																																								Investor-State Dispute Settlement																																																								International Commercial Arbitration and Foreign Courts																																																																																																																		Bankruptcy Regulations																																																																																	4. Industrial Policies																																																									Investment Incentives																																																																											Foreign Trade Zones/Free Ports/Trade Facilitation																																																																											Performance and Data Localization Requirements																																																																																	5. Protection of Property Rights																																																									Real Property																																																																											Intellectual Property Rights																																																																																	6. Financial Sector																																																									Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment																																																																											Money and Banking System																																																																											Foreign Exchange and Remittances																																																																			Foreign Exchange																																																																																																																Remittance Policies																																																																																																																		Sovereign Wealth Funds																																																																																	7. State-Owned Enterprises																																																									Privatization Program																																																																																	8. Responsible Business Conduct																																																									Additional Resources																																																																											Climate Issues																																																																																	9. Corruption																																																									Resources to Report Corruption																																																																																	10. Political and Security Environment																															11. Labor Policies and Practices																															12. U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and Other Investment Insurance or Development Finance Programs																															13. Foreign Direct Investment Statistics																															14. Contact for More Information																																																					EXECUTIVE SUMMARY				Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). According to Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) statistics, Antigua and Barbuda’s 2022 estimated gross domestic product (GDP) was $1.75 billion (4.74 billion Eastern Caribbean dollars). Like most of the Eastern Caribbean, the country continues to grapple with the fall-out of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply-chain issues and rising food and fuel prices associated with Russia’s war on-Ukraine. As of May 2023, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast that the economy will grow by 5.5% in 2023.The tourism sector is showing signs of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector is expected to have grown by just over 56 per cent in 2022; with tourism related construction increasing by 20 percent. Revenue from the country’s Citizenship by Investment program amounts to nearly 60 percent of all non-tax revenue.Through the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA), the government encourages foreign direct investment, particularly in industries that create jobs and earn foreign exchange. The ABIA facilitates and supports foreign direct investment in the country and maintains an open dialogue with current and potential investors. All potential investors are afforded the same level of business facilitation services.While the government welcomes all foreign direct investment, tourism and related services, yachting and marine services, agriculture and agro-processing, and business process outsourcing have been identified by the government as priority investment areas.There are no limits on foreign control of investment and ownership in Antigua and Barbuda. Foreign investors may hold up to 100 percent of an investment.Antigua and Barbuda’s legal system is based on British common law. It does not have a bilateral investment treaty with the United States, though it does have bilateral investment treaties with Germany and the UK.There is currently an unresolved dispute regarding the alleged expropriation of an American-owned property. For this reason, the U.S. government recommends careful consideration when investing in real estate in Antigua and Barbuda.In 2017, the government signed an intergovernmental agreement in observance of the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), making it mandatory for banks in Antigua and Barbuda to report the banking information of U.S. citizens.Table 1: Key Metrics and RankingsMeasureYearIndex/RankWebsite AddressTI Corruption Perceptions Index2022N/Ahttp://www.transparency.org/research/cpi/overviewGlobal Innovation Index2022N/Ahttps://www.globalinnovationindex.org/analysis-indicatorU.S. FDI in partner country ($M USD, historical stock positions)2021$7.0Mhttps://apps.bea.gov/international/factsheetWorld Bank GNI per capita2021$15,780http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.CD																																					1. Openness To, and Restrictions Upon, Foreign Investment						    																																																Policies Towards Foreign Direct Investment										The Government of Antigua and Barbuda encourages foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly in industries that create jobs, enhance economic activity, earn foreign currency, and have a positive impact on its citizens. Diversification of the economy remains a priority.Through the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Agency (ABIA), the government facilitates and supports foreign direct investment in the country and maintains an open dialogue with current and potential investors. All potential investors are afforded the same level of business facilitation services. ABIA offers complementary support services to investors exploring business opportunities, including facilitation of incentives and concessions, project monitoring, and general assistance. ABIA maintains an informational website  https://investantiguabarbuda.org  for all potential investors. Antigua and Barbuda also has a citizenship by investment program to facilitate certain forms of FDI (see section on Laws and Regulations on foreign investment for additional details).While the government welcomes all FDI, tourism and related services, yachting and marine services, agriculture and agro-processing, and business process outsourcing, have been identified by the government as priority investment areas.																																				Limits on Foreign Control and Right to Private Ownership and Establishment										Local laws do not place any limits on foreign control of investment and ownership in Antigua and Barbuda. Foreign investors may hold up to 100 percent of an investment. Local and foreign entrepreneurs need approximately 40 days from start to finish to transfer the title on a piece of property. In 1995, the government established a permanent residency program to encourage high-net-worth individuals to establish residency in Antigua and Barbuda for up to three years. As residents, their income is free of local taxation. In 2020, the government established the Nomad Digital Residence Visa program in which eligible remote workers can apply for a two-year special resident authorization. Under this program, the visa holders are also exempt from paying local income taxes. These programs are separate from the Citizenship by Investment program.The ABIA evaluates all FDI proposals applying for government incentives and provides intelligence, business facilitation, and investment promotion to establish and expand profitable business enterprises. The ABIA also advises the government on issues that are important to the private sector and potential investors to increase the international competitiveness of the local economy.The government of Antigua and Barbuda treats foreign and local investors equally with respect to the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct, operation, and sale or other disposition of investments in its territory.																																				Other Investment Policy Reviews										In May 2023, the World Trade Organization (WTO) conducted a trade policy review of the OECS of which Antigua and Barbuda is a member. The full report is available at  https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp537_e.htm . There have not been any investment policy reviews of Antigua and Barbuda by civil society organizations in the past five years.																																				Business Facilitation										Established in 2006, the ABIA facilitates foreign direct investment in priority sectors and advises the government on the formation and implementation of policies and programs to attract investment. The ABIA provides business support services and market intelligence to all investors. It also offers an online guide that is useful for navigating the laws, rules, procedures, and registration requirements for foreign investors. The guide is available at  https://www.theiguides.org/public-docs/guides/antiguabarbuda .All potential investors applying for government incentives must submit their proposals for review by the ABIA to ensure the project is consistent with national interests and provides economic benefits to the country.To register a business, the general practice is to retain a local attorney who prepares all the relevant incorporation documents. A business must register with the Intellectual Property and Commercial Office, the Inland Revenue Department, the Medical Benefits Scheme, the Social Security Scheme, and the Board of Education. The process typically takes up to three weeks.The online guide lists the necessary steps to complete the registration.																																				Outward Investment										Although the government of Antigua and Barbuda prioritizes investment return as a key component of its overall economic strategy, there are no formal mechanisms in place to achieve this. To sustain future economic growth, Antigua and Barbuda’s economy depends on significant FDI.Local laws do not place any restrictions on domestic investors seeking to do business abroad. Local companies in Antigua and Barbuda are actively encouraged to take advantage of export opportunities specifically related to the country’s membership in the OECS Economic Union and the Caribbean Community Single Market and Economy (CSME).																																												2. Bilateral Investment and Taxation Treaties						    																						Antigua and Barbuda has signed bilateral investment treaties with Germany and the UK. It does not have a bilateral investment treaty or bilateral taxation treaty with the United States. Antigua and Barbuda has bilateral taxation agreements with Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. There are double taxation agreements in force with the UK and the UAE. Antigua and Barbuda has 22 Tax Information Exchange Agreements in force.Antigua and Barbuda is also party to the following:Caribbean Community (CARICOM)The Treaty of Chaguaramas established the CARICOM in 1973 to promote economic integration among its 15 member states. Investors operating in Antigua and Barbuda have preferential access to the entire CARICOM market. The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas established the CSME, which permits the free movement of goods, capital, and labor among CARICOM states. CARICOM has bilateral agreements with Cuba, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. In 2013, CARICOM entered into a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the United States.Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)The Treaty of Basseterre established the OECS in 1981. The OECS consists of seven full members (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), and four associate members (Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, and Martinique). The purpose of the Treaty is to promote harmonization among member states in foreign policy, defense and security, and economic affairs. The seven full members ratified the Revised Treaty of Basseterre establishing the OECS Economic Union, which entered into force in 2011. The Economic Union established a single financial and economic space within which goods, services, and people move without hindrance.Caribbean Basin InitiativeThe Caribbean Basin Initiative facilitates the economic development and export diversification of the Caribbean Basin economies. It encourages private sector initiatives by expanding foreign and domestic investment in non-traditional sectors, diversifying country economies, and expanding their imports, and it permits duty-free entry of eligible products manufactured or assembled in Antigua and Barbuda into the United States.CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership AgreementThe European Community and Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) states signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in 2008. CARIFORUM consists of the independent Anglophone CARICOM member states, the Dominican Republic and Suriname. The overarching objectives of the EPA are to alleviate poverty in CARIFORUM states, to promote regional integration and economic cooperation, and to foster the gradual integration of the CARIFORUM states into the world economy by improving their trade capacity and creating an investment-conducive environment. The agreement promotes trade-related developments in areas such as competition, intellectual property, public procurement, the environment, and protection of personal data.CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership AgreementThe UK and CARIFORUM signed an EPA in 2019, committing to trade continuity after Britain’s departure from the European Union. The CARIFORUM-UK EPA eliminates tariffs on all goods imported from CARIFORUM states into the UK, while those Caribbean states will continue to gradually cut import tariffs on most of the region’s imports from the UK.Caribbean/Canada Trade Agreement (CARIBCAN)The Caribbean-Canada Trade Agreement (CARIBCAN) is an economic and trade development assistance program for Commonwealth Caribbean countries. Through CARIBCAN, Canada provides duty-free access to its national market for most products originating in Commonwealth Caribbean countries.																																		3. Legal Regime						    																																																Transparency of the Regulatory System										The government of Antigua and Barbuda publishes laws, regulations, administrative practices, and procedures of general application and judicial decisions that affect or pertain to investments or investors in the country. Where the government establishes policies that affect or pertain to investments or investors that are not expressed in laws and regulation or by other means, the national government has committed to make them publicly available.Rulemaking and regulatory authority lie with the bicameral parliament of the government of Antigua and Barbuda. The House of Representatives has 19 members, 17 of whom are elected for a five-year term in single-seat constituencies, one of whom is an ex-officio member, and one of whom is speaker. The Senate has 17 appointed members.Respective line ministries develop relevant national laws and regulations, which are then drafted by the Ministry of Legal Affairs. Laws relating to the ABIA and the Citizenship by Investment program are the main laws relevant to foreign direct investment. The full text of laws already in force, as well as those Parliament is currently considering are available at: http://laws.gov.ag/  .While some draft bills are not subject to public consultation, input from stakeholder groups may be considered. The government encourages stakeholder organizations to support and contribute to the legal development process by participating in technical committees and providing comments on drafts. The government discloses information on public finances and debt obligations through the annual budget address.  The annual budget address can be found online at:  https://ab.gov.ag/ .Accounting, legal, and regulatory procedures are generally transparent and consistent with international norms. The International Financial Accounting Standards, which stem from the General Accepted Accounting Principles, govern the accounting profession.The constitution provides for the independent Office of the Ombudsman to guard against abuses of power by government officials. The Ombudsman is responsible for investigating complaints about acts or omissions by government officials that violate the rights of members of the public.The ABIA has primary responsibility for investment supervision, and the Ministry of Finance, Corporate Governance and Public-Private Partnerships monitors investments to collect information for national statistics and reporting purposes. The ABIA can revoke an issued Investment Certificate if the holder fails to comply with certain stipulations detailed in the Investment Authority Act and its regulations.Antigua and Barbuda’s membership in regional organizations, particularly the OECS and its Economic Union, commits the state to implement all appropriate measures to fulfill its various treaty obligations. The eight member states and territories of the ECCU tend to enact laws uniformly, though minor differences in implementation may exist. The enforcement mechanisms of these regulations include penalties and other sanctions.The country’s membership in regional organizations, particularly the OECS and its Economic Union, commits the state to implement all appropriate measures to fulfill its various treaty obligations.  For example, the Banking Act, which establishes a single banking space and the harmonization of banking regulations in the Economic Union, is uniformly in force in the eight member territories of the ECCU, although there are some minor differences in implementation from country to country.  The enforcement mechanisms of these regulations include penalties or legal sanctions. The most recent Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Mutual Evaluation assessment found Antigua and Barbuda to be largely compliant.  The ECCB is the supervisory authority over financial institutions registered under the Banking Act of 2015.																																				International Regulatory Considerations										As a member of the OECS and the ECCU, Antigua and Barbuda subscribes to principles and policies outlined in the Revised Treaty of Basseterre. The relationship between national and regional systems is such that each participating member state is expected to coordinate and adopt, where possible, common national policies aimed at the progressive harmonization of relevant policies and systems across the region. Thus, Antigua and Barbuda is obligated to implement regionally developed regulations such as legislation passed under the authority of the OECS, unless it seeks specific concessions.The Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards is a statutory body that prepares and promulgates standards in relation to goods, services, processes, and practices. As a member of the WTO, Antigua and Barbuda is a signatory to the WTO Agreement on the Technical Barriers to Trade and is obligated to notify the Committee of any draft new and updated technical regulations. Antigua and Barbuda ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in 2017. The TFA is intended to improve the speed and efficiency of border procedures, facilitate trade costs reduction, and enhance participation in the global value chain. A full list of measures undertaken pursuant to the TFA is available at  https://tfadatabase.org/en/members/antigua-and-barbuda .As a member of CARICOM, Antigua and Barbuda utilizes the Advanced Cargo Information System, a computer-based system developed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to harmonize and standardize electronic cargo information in order to improve the capability to track cargo efficiently and to support regional and international trade. The Advanced Cargo Information System forms a critical part of the World Customs Organization SAFE Framework of Standards. Antigua and Barbuda has also fully implemented the Automated System for Customs Data.																																				Legal System and Judicial Independence										Antigua and Barbuda bases its legal system on the British common law system. The Attorney General, the Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, junior judges, and magistrates administer justice. The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Act establishes the Supreme Court of Judicature, which consists of the High Court and the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. The High Court hears criminal and civil matters and rules on constitutional law issues. Parties may appeal first to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, an itinerant court that hears appeals from all OECS members. The final appellate authority is the Judicial Committee of the UK Privy Council.The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is the regional judicial tribunal, established in 2001 by the Agreement Establishing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.  The CCJ has original jurisdiction to interpret and apply the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Antigua and Barbuda is only subject to the original jurisdiction of the CCJ.The United States and Antigua and Barbuda are both party to the WTO. The WTO Dispute Settlement Panel and Appellate Body resolves disputes over WTO agreements, while courts of appropriate jurisdiction in both countries resolve private disputes. Antigua and Barbuda brought a case before the WTO against the United States concerning the cross-border supply of online gambling and betting services. The WTO ruled in favor of Antigua and Barbuda, but agreement on settlement terms remains outstanding.																																				Laws and Regulations on Foreign Direct Investment										The ABIA provides guidance on the relevant laws, rules, procedures, and reporting requirements for investors. These are available at  http://www.theiguides.org/public-docs/guides/antiguabarbuda .The ABIA may grant concessions as specified in the Investment Authority Act Amended 2019. These concessions are listed on Antigua and Barbuda’s iGuide website. Investors must apply to ABIA to take advantage of these incentives.																																				Citizenship by Investment										Under the citizenship by investment program, foreign individuals can obtain citizenship in accordance with the Citizenship by Investment Act of 2013, which grants citizenship without voting rights to qualified investors. Applicants are required to undergo a due diligence process before citizenship can be granted. The minimum contribution for investors under the program is $100,000 (270,225 Eastern Caribbean dollars) to the National Development Fund for a family of up to four people and $125,000 (337,818 Eastern Caribbean dollars) for a family of five, with additional contributions of $15,000 (40,538 Eastern Caribbean dollars) per person for up to four additional family members.Individual applicants can also qualify for the program by buying real estate valued at $400,000 (1,081,020 Eastern Caribbean dollars) or more or making a business investment of $1.5 million (4,053,825 Eastern Caribbean dollars). Alternatively, at least two applicants can propose to make a joint investment in an approved business with a total investment of at least $5 million (13.5 million Eastern Caribbean dollars). Each investor must contribute at least $400,000 (1,081,020 Eastern Caribbean dollars) to the joint investment. Citizenship by investment investors must own real estate for a minimum of five years before selling it.A fourth option involves a contribution of $150,000 (405,383 Eastern Caribbean dollars) to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund for a family of six people, which entitles one member of the family to a one-year tuition-only scholarship at UWI’s Five Islands campus. All applicants must also pay relevant government and due diligence fees, and provide a medical certificate, police certificate, and evidence of the source of funds. Further information is available at: https://cip.gov.ag/.																																				Competition and Antitrust Laws										Chapter 8 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas outlines the competition policy applicable to CARICOM states.  Member states are required to establish and maintain a national competition authority for implementing the rules of competition.  CARICOM established a Caribbean Competition Commission (CCC) to apply rules of competition regarding anti-competitive cross-border business conduct.  CARICOM competition policy addresses anti-competitive business conduct such as agreements between enterprises, decisions by associations of enterprises, and concerted practices by enterprises that have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction, or distortion of competition within CARICOM, and actions by which an enterprise abuses its dominant position within CARICOM.  Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the CCC.The OECS has agreed to establish a regional authority to regulate competition in the economic union and would be a part of the CCC. To date, the draft OECS Competition Bill remains under review. As such, there is currently no legislation or authority outside of the CARICOM framework that regulates competition in Antigua and Barbuda.																																				Expropriation and Compensation										According to the Investment Authority Act of 2006, investments in Antigua and Barbuda will not be nationalized, expropriated, or subject to indirect measures having an equivalent effect, except as necessary for the public good, in accordance with the due process of law, on a non-discriminatory basis, and accompanied by prompt, adequate, and effective compensation. Compensation in such cases is the fair market value of the expropriated investment immediately before the expropriation or the impending expropriation became public knowledge, whichever is earlier. Compensation includes interest from the date of dispossession of the expropriated property until the date of payment and is required to be paid without delay.There is an unresolved dispute regarding the 2007 expropriation of an American-owned property. Following the expropriation, the owners initiated legal action to enforce their rights under Antigua and Barbuda’s Land Acquisition Act. A 2014 Privy Council court decision ordered the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to pay the former property owners $39.8 million in compensation. The government has only paid approximately $20 million as of June 2022, and the property owners have continued to pursue multiple legal remedies to compel the government to pay the outstanding balance. In 2022, the courts dismissed the government’s appeal of a 2018 court decision in favor of the claimants. At that time, the courts ruled that the outstanding costs due to the claimants should be assessed by the High Court to be paid promptly and in full. The claimants have also continued to pursue recourse in other jurisdictions in addition to Antigua and Barbuda, with the latest legal decision in 2022. The government has not made any additional payments to the claimants since 2020 and to date, the government has only paid them approximately $ 26.6 million. The U.S. government recommends continued caution when investing in real estate or any other venture in Antigua and Barbuda.																																				Dispute Settlement																										ICSID Convention and New York Convention						Antigua and Barbuda is not a party to the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States. However, it is a member of the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, also known as the New York Arbitration Convention. Private parties may use international or national arbitration if specified in contracts. The Arbitration Act Chap. 33 (1975) is the main legislation which governs arbitration in Antigua and Barbuda.						Investor-State Dispute Settlement						Investors may use national or international arbitration to resolve contractual disputes with the state. Antigua and Barbuda has bilateral investment treaties with Germany and the UK that recognize binding international arbitration of investment disputes. Antigua and Barbuda does not have a bilateral investment treaty or a free trade agreement with an investment chapter with the United States.Through the Arbitration Act, the local courts recognize and enforce foreign arbitral awards issued against the government.						International Commercial Arbitration and Foreign Courts						As mandated by the Arbitration Act, alternative dispute mechanisms are available as a means of settling disputes between two private parties. Parties may use voluntary mediation or conciliation. The Arbitration Act mandates the legal recognition and enforcement of judgments of foreign courts by local courts. Thus, the High Court of Antigua and Barbuda recognizes and enforces foreign arbitral awards. The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court’s Court of Appeals provides meditation on commercial contracts.																										Bankruptcy Regulations										Under the Bankruptcy Act (1975), Antigua and Barbuda has a bankruptcy framework that grants certain rights to debtors and creditors. The full text of the legislation can be found on the government’s website.																																												4. Industrial Policies						    																																																Investment Incentives										The Government of Antigua and Barbuda granted certain concessions specified in the Investment Authority Act Amended 2019. These concessions provide exemption or reduction on various taxes and fees, including corporate income tax, withholding tax, stamp duty on land transfers, and import duties on vehicles and construction materials. The length and/or scale of concession is based on company and investment size. These incentives cover capital investment in all priority sectors. Investors must apply to the ABIA to take advantage of these incentives. Investments in healthcare, tourism, infrastructure development, renewable energy, education, and other projects considered important for economic development may receive incentives and/or concessions determined by the ABIA and Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda if they are over $55.6 million (150.26 million Eastern Caribbean dollars) in size.The Antigua and Barbuda Science Innovation Park (ABSIP) launched in 2019 to support and create business startup opportunities that will generate sustainable business enterprises. ABSIP provides business incubation and financing, access to business financing, branding, training, partnership establishment, and other services. More information is available at ABSIP’s website:  http://absip.gov.ag .The Prime Minister’s Entrepreneurial Development Programme (EDP) supports the creation of micro and small businesses with the intent of increasing the Antiguan and Barbudan ownership share of the country’s economy. Priority sectors in which EDP grants loans are agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, information technology, e-business, and tourism.The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has been proactively pursuing public-private partnerships through the National Asset Management Company (NAMCO). NAMCO is a wholly owned government entity that holds the government’s stake in joint ventures and manages the investment proceeds that accrue.																																				Foreign Trade Zones/Free Ports/Trade Facilitation										The government established the Antigua and Barbuda Free Trade and Processing Zone (Free Zone) in 1994. A commission, acting as a private enterprise, administers the Free Zone. The Free Zone is part of a government initiative to diversify the economy. The commission is mandated to attract investment in priority areas.																																				Performance and Data Localization Requirements										As a member of the WTO, Antigua and Barbuda is party to the Agreement to the Trade Related Investment Measures. While there are no formal performance requirements, the government encourages investments that will create jobs and increase exports and foreign exchange earnings. There are no requirements for participation either by nationals or by the government in foreign investment projects. There is no requirement that enterprises must purchase a fixed percentage of goods or technology from local sources, but the government encourages local sourcing. Foreign investors receive the same treatment as citizens. There are no requirements for foreign information technology providers to turn over source code and/or provide access to surveillance (for example, backdoors into hardware and software or keys for encryption). In 2013, the government passed the Data Protection Act to promote the protection of personal and private data.																																												5. Protection of Property Rights						    																																																Real Property										The government owns 55 percent of Antigua’s land, and the remaining 45 percent is privately owned. The Lands Division in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs is the custodian of Crown lands on behalf of the government.Historically, the residents of Barbuda owned all land on Barbuda communally, however the recent appropriation of land for new development projects has resulted in legal challenges to this system. In the aftermath of 2017’s Hurricane Irma, the government attempted to introduce a private property system by amending and repealing the Barbuda Land Act and replacing it with the Crown Land Regulation (Amendment) Act, which would allow private ownership of land in Barbuda by non-Barbudans. Barbudan representatives filed a legal challenge to the constitutionality of this legislation in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. This court ruled in the government’s favor and a further appeal was filed in the Privy Council. The Privy Council dismissed the appeal in 2022. In April 2023, the government announced its intention to make further changes to the act.Citizens and non-citizens can lease or buy land on the island of Antigua from the government or the private sector. Land sold to non-citizens is subject to the Non-Citizen Land Holding Regulation Act, which requires buyers to obtain a license to purchase land. Buyers are advised to consult with a local attorney. All land titles and purchases must be registered at the Land Registry.The Town and Country Planning office of the Development Control Authority designates land use areas, including for commercial, agricultural, industrial, or tourism use. The government’s Free Trade and Processing Zone manages land and facilities which are geared towards attracting foreign direct investment in export sectors.Because Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the ECCU, lending institutions in Antigua and Barbuda generally follow the guidelines published by the ECCB. However, the lack of capital market depth in the sub-region makes the use of securitization difficult.																																				Intellectual Property Rights										Antigua and Barbuda has an extensive legislative framework supporting the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR); however, enforcement efforts are inconsistent. The country is not listed in the U.S. Trade Representative’s 2023 Special 301 Report or in its 2022 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It is a signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, and the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literacy and Artistic Works.Article 66 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the CSME commits all 15 members to implement stronger intellectual property protection and enforcement. The CARIFORUM-EU EPA contains the most detailed obligations regarding IPR in any trade agreement to which Antigua and Barbuda is a party. The EPA recognizes the protection and enforcement of IPR. Article 139 of the EPA requires parties to “ensure an adequate and effective implementation of the international treaties dealing with intellectual property to which they are parties, and of the WTO Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS).” As a member of the WTO, Antigua and Barbuda recognizes the WTO TRIPS Agreement.The Comptroller of Customs leads enforcement and prevention efforts against counterfeit goods, which include detention, seizure, and forfeiture. The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has extensive powers of search and seizure in the investigation of alleged infringements and has the power to confiscate suspected infringing copies.For additional information about national laws and points of contact at local IP offices, please see WIPO’s country profiles at  http://www.wipo.int/directory/en/  .																																												6. Financial Sector						    																																																Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment										As a member of the ECCU. As such, it is a member of the Eastern Caribbean Stock Exchange (ECSE) and the Regional Government Securities Market. The ECSE is a regional securities market established by the ECCB and licensed under the Securities Act of 2001, a uniform regional body of legislation governing securities market activities.The ECSE and its subsidiaries, the Eastern Caribbean Central Securities Depository and the Eastern Caribbean Central Securities Registry, facilitate activities on the ECSE. The main activities are the primary issuance and secondary trading of corporate and sovereign securities, the clearance and settlement of issues and trades, maintaining securities holders’ records, and providing custodial, registration, transfer agency, and paying agency services while respecting listed and non-listed securities. As of March 2022, there were 164 securities listed on the ECSE, comprising 135 sovereign debt instruments, 13 equities, and 16 corporate debt securities. Market capitalization stood at $703 million (1.9 billion Eastern Caribbean dollars). Antigua and Barbuda is open to portfolio investment.Antigua and Barbuda accepted the obligations of Article VIII of the International Monetary Fund Agreement Sections 2, 3, and 4, and maintains an exchange system free of restrictions on making international payments and transfers. The government normally does not grant foreign tax credits except in cases where taxes are paid in a Commonwealth country that grants similar relief for Antigua and Barbuda taxes, or where an applicable tax treaty provides a credit. The private sector has access to credit on the local market through loans, purchases of non-equity services, and trade credits, as well as other accounts receivable that establish a claim for repayment.																																				Money and Banking System										Antigua and Barbuda is a signatory to the 1983 agreement establishing the ECCB. The ECCB controls Antigua and Barbuda’s currency and regulates its domestic banks.The Banking Act (2015) is a harmonized piece of legislation across the ECCU member states. The ECCB and the Ministers of Finance of member states jointly carry out banking supervision under the act. The Minster of Finance usually acts in consultation with the ECCB with respect to those areas of responsibility within the Minister of Finance’s portfolio.Domestic and foreign banks can establish operations in Antigua and Barbuda. The Banking Act requires all commercial banks and other institutions to be licensed. The ECCB regulates financial institutions. As part of supervision, licensed financial institutions are required to submit monthly, quarterly, and annual performance reports to the ECCB. In its latest annual report, the ECCB listed the commercial banking sector as stable. Assessments including effects of the pandemic are not yet available. Assets of commercial banks totaled $2.07 billion (5.6 billion Eastern Caribbean dollars) at the end of the last reported year of 2019. and remained relatively consistent. The reserve requirement for commercial banks was 6 percent of deposit liabilities.Antigua and Barbuda is well-served by bank and non-bank financial institutions. There are minimal alternative financial services offered. Some people still participate in informal community group lending, but the practice is declining.The Caribbean region has witnessed a withdrawal of correspondent banking services by U.S., Canadian, and European banks due to risk management concerns. CARICOM remains committed to engaging with key stakeholders on the issue and appointed a Committee of Ministers of Finance on Correspondent Banking to continue to monitor the issue.Bitt, a wholly U.S. owned company founded in Barbados, developed digital currency DCash in partnership with the ECCB. The first successful DCash retail central bank digital currency (CDBC) consumer-to-merchant transaction took place in Grenada in February 2021 following a multi-year development process. The ECCB and BITT signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2018 and launched their fintech pilot project and regulatory sandbox in four member countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia a year later. In March 2021, DCash was officially rolled out in Antigua and Barbuda. After some challenges in early 2022, the DCash online platform remained online and available for transactions during the reporting period.Antigua and Barbuda’s Digital Assets Business Bill 2020 created a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital asset businesses, clients, and customers. The bill states that all digital asset businesses in the country must obtain a license for issuing, selling, or redeeming virtual coins, operating as a payment service or electronic exchange, providing custodial wallet services, among other activities. The government aspires to develop Antigua and Barbuda into a regional center for blockchain and cryptocurrency. To date, over 40 major businesses accepted bitcoin cash. The bill was drafted by the ECCB,																																				Foreign Exchange and Remittances																										Foreign Exchange						Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the ECCU and the ECCB. The currency of exchange is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD). As a member of the OECS, Antigua and Barbuda has a foreign exchange system that is fully liberalized. The Eastern Caribbean dollar has been pegged to the U.S. dollar at a rate of XCD 2.70 to $1.00 since 1976. As a result, the Eastern Caribbean dollar does not fluctuate, creating a stable currency environment for trade and investment in Antigua and Barbuda.																		Remittance Policies						Companies registered in Antigua and Barbuda have the right to repatriate all capital, royalties, dividends, and profits free of all taxes or any other charges on foreign exchange transactions. The government levies withholding taxes on non-resident corporations and individuals receiving income in the form of dividends, preferred share dividends, interest and rentals, management fees, and royalties, as well as on interest on bank deposits to non-resident corporations. A person must be present in the country for no less than four years without interruption to be considered a resident. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the CFATF.In 2017, the government signed an intergovernmental agreement in observance of the FATCA, making it mandatory for banks in Antigua and Barbuda to report the banking information of U.S. citizens.																										Sovereign Wealth Funds										Neither the government of Antigua and Barbuda nor the ECCB, of which Antigua and Barbuda is a member, maintains a sovereign wealth fund.																																												7. State-Owned Enterprises						    																						State-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Antigua and Barbuda are governed by their respective legislation and do not generally pose a threat to investors, as they are not designed for competition. The government established many SOEs to create economic activity in areas where the private sector is perceived to have little interest.SOEs are headed by boards of directors to which senior managers report. In 2016, Parliament passed the Statutory Corporations (General Provisions) Act, which specifies ministerial responsibilities in the appointment and termination of board members, decisions of the board, and employment in these SOEs. To promote diversity and independence on SOE boards, professional associations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society may nominate directors for boards.																										Privatization Program										Antigua and Barbuda does not have a targeted privatization program.																																												8. Responsible Business Conduct						    																						Responsible business conduct by producers and consumers is positively regarded in Antigua and Barbuda. The private sector is involved in projects that benefit society, including in support of environmental, social, and cultural causes.The NGO community, while comparatively small, is involved in fundraising and volunteerism in gender, health, environmental, and community projects. The government at times partners with NGOs in their activities and encourages philanthropy.																										Additional Resources										Department of StateCountry Reports on Human Rights Practices ( https://www.state.gov/reports-bureau-of-democracy-human-rights-and-labor/country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/)Trafficking in Persons Report ( https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/)Guidance on Implementing the &#8220;UN Guiding Principles&#8221; for Transactions Linked to Foreign Government End-Users for Products or Services with Surveillance Capabilities ( https://www.state.gov/key-topics-bureau-of-democracy-human-rights-and-labor/due-diligence-guidance/)U.S. National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises ( https://www.state.gov/u-s-national-contact-point-for-the-oecd-guidelines-for-multinational-enterprises/)Xinjiang Supply Chain Business Advisory ( https://www.state.gov/xinjiang-supply-chain-business-advisory/)Department of the TreasuryOFAC Recent Actions ( https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions )Department of LaborFindings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor Report ( https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/findings  )List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor ( https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-goods )Sweat &amp; Toil: Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking Around the World ( https://www.dol.gov/general/apps/ilab )Comply Chain ( https://www.dol.gov/ilab/complychain/ )																																				Climate Issues										Antigua and Barbuda remains susceptible to natural disasters and other effects due to climate change. Antigua and Barbuda has developed a multi-stakeholder policy on the environment that focuses on climate resilience and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, protection of biodiversity, effective natural resources, and environmental management through the enforcement of policies, legislation and regulations. The Environment Protection and Management Act was amended in 2019 to create an updated institutional and administrative framework that codifies all decisions on environmental and climate-related issues. Antigua and Barbuda is party to the Paris Agreement. In 2021, the government updated its Nationally Determined Contribution to the United Nations to signal its commitment to becoming a low- emission resilient country.																																												9. Corruption						    																						The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implements these laws if corruption is proven. Allegations of corruption against government officials in Antigua and Barbuda are common. Both major political parties frequently accuse the other of corruption, but investigations yield few results. Antigua and Barbuda is party to the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption and the UN Anti-Corruption Convention.The Integrity in Public Life Act requires all public officials to disclose all income, assets (including those of spouses and children), and personal gifts received while in public office. The integrity act established an integrity commission, appointed by the Governor General, receives and investigates complaints regarding noncompliance with or violations of this law or of the Prevention of Corruption Act. As the only agency charged with combatting corruption, the commission is independent but understaffed and under-resourced. Critics stated the legislation was inadequately enforced and that the act should be strengthened.The Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy is the independent law enforcement agency with specific authority to investigate reports of suspicious activity concerning specified offenses and the proceeds of crime.The Freedom of Information Act granted citizens the statutory right to access official documents from public authorities and agencies and created a commissioner to oversee the process. In practice, citizens found it difficult to obtain documents, possibly due to government funding constraints rather than obstruction. The act created a special unit mandated to monitor and verify disclosures. By law, the disclosures are not public. There are criminal and administrative sanctions for noncompliance.																										Resources to Report Corruption										Radford HillChairman, Integrity CommissionR.I.O.A. (Francis) Building, High Street, St. John’s(268) 562-5512/14(268) 562-5512/14 Hillandhillbb@gmail.com Lt. Col. Edward CroftDirector, Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control PolicyCamp Blizzard, St. George’s, Antigua(268) 562-3255/6(268) 562-3255/6 ondcp@candw.ag 																																												10. Political and Security Environment						    																						Antigua and Barbuda does not have a recent history of politically motivated violence or civil disturbance. Elections are peaceful and regarded as being free and fair. The next general elections are constitutionally due by January 2028.																																		11. Labor Policies and Practices						    																						The labor code dictates that the minimum working age is 16 years. The Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety, and Labour conducts periodic workplace inspections to enforce this law. The labor commissioner’s office also has an inspectorate that investigates child labor allegations.The law provides for the right of public-sector and private-sector workers to form and join independent unions. The law also provides for the right to bargain collectively and conduct legal strikes, but it imposes restrictions on the right to strike. The Court of Industrial Relations may limit the right to strike in a dispute. Once either party to a dispute requests the court to mediate, there can be no strike. Due to delays associated with this process, unions often resolve labor disputes before a strike is called. The law prohibits antiunion discrimination by employers but does not specifically require reinstatement of workers illegally fired for union activity.Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining were generally respected for citizen workers as well as migrant laborers. Unions said some foreign workers reported that employers threatened withdrawal of their worker permits if they joined a union. There were no reports of antiunion discrimination, nor were there any reports of violations of collective bargaining rights.Workers who provide essential services (including water, electricity, hospital, fire, prison, air traffic control, meteorology, telecommunications, government printing office, and port authority) must give two weeks’ notice of intent to strike. If either party to a dispute requests court mediation, strikes are prohibited under penalty of imprisonment for any private-sector worker and some government workers. The Industrial Relations Court may issue an injunction against a legal strike when the national interest is threatened or affected. The law prohibits retaliation against strikers.Penalties for violating labor laws range from a minor fine to two months in prison and were commensurate with those for denials of other civil rights. Penalties were regularly applied against violators. The government enforced the right of association and collective bargaining. Administrative and judicial procedures, however, were often subject to lengthy delays and appeals.Unions and private citizens reported a decline in respect for workers’ rights during the pandemic that continued during the year, as well as a need for more meaningful engagement of all stakeholders regarding labor policies.The labor code provides that the Minister of Legal Affairs, Public Safety, Immigration and Labour may issue orders, which have the force of law, to establish a minimum wage. The minimum wage is $3.03 (8.18 Eastern Caribbean dollars) an hour for all categories of labor. In practice, the great majority of workers earn substantially more than minimum wage.The customary standard workweek is 40 hours in five days. The law provides that the employer may not require workers to work more than a 48-hour, six-day workweek, and provides for 12 paid annual holidays. The law requires that employees be paid one and a half times the employees’ basic wage per hour for overtime work in excess of the standard workweek. The Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety, Immigration and Labour put few limitations on overtime, allowing it in temporary or occasional cases, but did not allow employers to make regular overtime compulsory.Investors in Antigua and Barbuda are required to maintain workers’ rights and safeguard the environment. While there are no specific health and safety regulations, the Labour Code provides general health and safety guidelines to labor inspectors. The Labour Commission settles disputes over labor abuses, health, and safety conditions. The law gives the ministry the authority to require special safety measures, not otherwise defined in the law, to be put in place for worker safety. Antigua and Barbuda is party to the International Labor Convention on Occupational Health and Safety No. 155 of 1981.Workers have the right to report unsafe work environments without jeopardy to continued employment. Inspectors then investigate such claims, and workers may leave such locations without jeopardy to their continued employment.																																		12. U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and Other Investment Insurance or Development Finance Programs						    																						Antigua and Barbuda is classified as a high- income country under the World Bank’s definition and is ineligible for DFC programs.																																		13. Foreign Direct Investment Statistics						    																						Table 2: Key Macroeconomic Data, U.S. FDI in Host Country/EconomyHost Country Statistical source*USG or international statistical sourceUSG or International Source of Data:  BEA; IMF; Eurostat; UNCTAD, OtherEconomic DataYearAmountYearAmountHost Country Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ($M USD)2022$17502022$1760www.worldbank.org/en/countryForeign Direct InvestmentHost Country Statistical source*USG or international statistical sourceUSG or international Source of data:  BEA; IMF; Eurostat; UNCTAD, OtherU.S. FDI in partner country ($M USD, stock positions)N/AN/A2021$7.0BEA data available at https://apps.bea.gov/international/factsheet/Host country’s FDI in the United States ($M USD, stock positions)N/AN/A2021N/ABEA data available at https://apps.bea.gov/international/factsheet/Total inbound stock of FDI as % host GDPN/AN/A2021103.9%UNCTAD data available athttps://unctad.org/topic/investment/world-investment-report* * Source for Host Country Data: Eastern Caribbean Central Bank:  https://www.eccb-centralbank.org/statistics/dashboard-datas/    Table 3: Sources and Destination of FDIAntigua and Barbuda does not appear in the IMF’s Coordinated Direct Investment Survey (CDIS)																																		14. 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Openness To, and Restrictions Upon, Foreign Investment																																							Policies Towards Foreign Direct Investment																																																						Limits on Foreign Control and Right to Private Ownership and Establishment																																																						Other Investment Policy Reviews																																																						Business Facilitation																																																						Outward Investment																																																			2. Bilateral Investment and Taxation Treaties																3. 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Industrial Policies																																							Investment Incentives																																																						Foreign Trade Zones/Free Ports/Trade Facilitation																																																						Performance and Data Localization Requirements																																																			5. Protection of Property Rights																																							Real Property																																																						Intellectual Property Rights																																																			6. Financial Sector																																							Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment																																																						Money and Banking System																																																						Foreign Exchange and Remittances																																																				Foreign Exchange																																																																																								Remittance Policies																																																																																				Sovereign Wealth Funds																																																			7. State-Owned Enterprises																																							Privatization Program																																																			8. Responsible Business Conduct																																							Additional Resources																																																						Climate Issues																																																			9. Corruption																																							Resources to Report Corruption																																																			10. Political and Security Environment																11. Labor Policies and Practices																12. U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and Other Investment Insurance or Development Finance Programs																13. Foreign Direct Investment Statistics																14. Contact for More Information																						Tags																					Antigua and Barbuda																								Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs																								Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
- Press briefing with Todd D. Robinson, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Todd D.  Robinson, Assistant SecretaryBureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement AffairsMODERATOR:  Greetings to everyone from the U.S. Department of State’s Media Hub of the Americas in Miami, Florida.  I would like to welcome our participants who have dialed in from the United States and across the region.  This is an on-the-record press briefing with the Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Todd D. Robinson. Assistant Secretary Robinson will discuss outcomes from Friday’s virtual ministerial to launch a Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats as well as next steps for the global coalition.  This coalition seeks to unite countries worldwide in a concerted effort to prevent the illicit manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs, identify emerging drug trends, and respond effectively to their public health impacts. As a reminder, today’s briefing is on the record.  And with that, I will turn it over to Assistant Secretary Robinson. ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Thank you for joining this call today and for the opportunity to discuss the collective efforts we have undertaken to confront the important issue of synthetic drugs. Last Friday, as you know, Secretary Blinken hosted a virtual ministerial to launch a Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats.  Nearly 100 countries and international organizations participated in the launch, underscoring the shared concern about this public health and national security threat.  The coalition aims to unite countries worldwide in a concerted effort to combat the illicit manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs.  Together, we hope to strengthen efforts to prevent the production and trafficking of illicit synthetic drugs, identify emerging synthetic drug trends and use patterns, and promote efforts to respond effectively to the public health impacts they impose. Participants at the ministerial underscored the importance of sharing data and increasing efforts to mitigate the health impact of synthetic drug use.  As you all already know, synthetic drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine pose a grave risk to the health and security of our citizens here in the United States.  The consequences of these drugs are devastating as evidenced by the alarming statistics. In 2022, the CDC estimated that nearly 110,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses.  Recognizing the gravity of this situation, the Biden administration is fully committed to preventing drug use and minimizing its negative impact.  We understand the importance of connecting individuals to treatment and supporting the more than 20 million Americans in recovery.  President Biden’s National Drug Control Strategy has allocated a substantial $24 billion dollars in this fiscal year to strengthen drug-related public health interventions.  These measures not only safeguard the health of our citizens, but also exemplify our dedication at home as we look to other nations to also take action. It is vital to note that these dangers are not limited to the United States.  More countries than ever are facing an increasing threat from synthetic drugs like tramadol, Captagon, MDMA, and Ketamine.  Criminals are constantly innovating to create new synthetic drugs, adjusting formulas to avoid international controls and domestic regulations, and creating new demand.   One staggering number to note:  Over the past decade, more than 1,100 new synthetic drugs were detected and reported by the United Nations.  Through the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats, we are harnessing international cooperation and shared knowledge to tackle this crisis head on.  By working together, we can more effectively disrupt the illicit synthetic drug supply chains, enhance our ability to identify and respond to emerging threats, and protect the lives and well-being of our own citizens and of people around the world. The United States has already been working with partners like Mexico, Canada, and other countries to drive urgent global action to disrupt the synthetic drug trade from beginning to end.  We are engaging with countries such as India to strengthen our partnerships on securing pharmaceutical and chemical supply chains to prevent criminal diversion of dual-use precursor chemicals, and we remain committed to engaging with the PRC to address the threat illicit synthetic drugs pose to our countries.  The Department of State also works within the UN, the Organization of American States, the G7, G20, and other organizations to improve the abilities of our countries to detect and disrupt the illicit manufacturing, diversion, and trafficking of precursor chemicals and finished drugs.   We have more important work to do, so in closing, let me express my gratitude to our international partners who have already joined us in this crucial endeavor.  The fight against synthetic drugs requires a global response, and we are confident that our collective efforts will yield significant results.  Together, we can create a safer and healthier future for our citizens and generations to come.   Thank you, and I look forward to your questions.   MODERATOR:  Thank you so much, Assistant Secretary.  We will now begin the question-and-answer portion of today’s briefing.  For those on the English line asking questions, please limit yourself to one question related to the topic of today’s briefing.  If you submitted your question in advance, I have incorporated the question into the queue.  Our first question today we received from Daniel – from Jim Carson of La Jornada in Mexico:  “What specific will be new out of this declaration?  Are you setting up a FinCEN-type structure to share information, do evaluations, and a secretariat, or is it simply a reiteration of past commitments without any specific additional actions?”   ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Great question.  The first thing I would say is we are – we are building on what we have done in the past and what has been done by other countries in the past.  The coalition is intended to be an inclusive forum for sharing best practices and identifying areas for collaboration to improve the global response to public health and security threats posed by synthetic drugs.  We ask that countries commit to working collaboratively with other coalition member countries at both political and technical levels to develop a joint framework for addressing synthetic drugs and develop actions in line with that framework.  Thanks.   MODERATOR:  Thank you.  We received a question from journalist Fernando Morales from Red Salvadoreña de Medios in El Salvador: “El Salvador is a corridor for the transit of synthetic drugs like fentanyl.  How is work being done to prevent the trafficking of these narcotics?”   ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  I’m sorry.  Could you say that again?  MODERATOR:  Absolutely, Assistant Secretary.  “El Salvador is a corridor for the transit of synthetic drugs like fentanyl.  How is work being done to prevent the trafficking of these narcotics?&#8221; ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Great question.  As our correspondent will note, the United States Government on several different levels is working with members of the civilian security forces in El Salvador and throughout the region – El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras – on things like investigations, going after the trafficking networks.  We have experts on the ground from DEA and the Department of Justice.   We also work on training.  As the correspondent will note, there is an International Law Enforcement Academy hosted by the Government of El Salvador where we can do training for police and prosecutors in the region on different techniques and modernized techniques for going after these networks.  So those are ways that we are – those are ways that we are trying to get after these – shut down these corridors.   MODERATOR:  Thank you, Assistant Secretary.  The next question will go to Jesús Esquivel from Proceso Magazine in Mexico.  Jesús, please unmute yourself.   QUESTION:  Hello.  Can you hear me?   MODERATOR:  Yes.  Please ask your question.  &#8212;    QUESTION:  Okay.  Yes.  Under Secretary, there has always been the accusations that the Mexican cartels are responsible for all the synthetic drugs in the United States, but as you probably know, the domestic cartels in the U.S. are also responsible for the distributions and sale of these drugs.   My question to you is:  What exactly or when exactly the U.S. Government for the first time is going to be exposing the domestic cartels in this problem and in the United States?  And also, if you think the accusations as – members of the U.S. Congress made to Mexico and threats that they probably going to invade Mexico to stop the drug trafficking, it will help in this global coalition in the case of – specifically of Mexico to cooperate with the U.S. Government?   ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Thank you, Jesús.  Both good questions.  Look, first of all, I would – I would not exactly support the premise of your question.  We have never said that all of the fentanyl or synthetic opioids that are coming to the United States are coming from Mexico.  We know that this is a global – a global effort by cartels from different regions around the world, including criminals in the United States.  I don’t think the FBI or the Department of Justice or our local law enforcement authorities have been shy about exposing the criminal networks in the United States that are trafficking in these drugs.  I think they will continue to publicly expose them when available.  So that’s thing number one. Thing number two, we have – the United States has an excellent relationship with our counterparts in Mexico.  We are both working very close to go after the networks in Mexico, to increase our cooperation on both sides of our southwest border, your northern border.  And we are working together internationally to share our experiences with working together with other countries around the world.  I’m very proud of our relationship with our Mexican counterparts, and we’re going to continue to call on them as they call on us to work together to do more to stop – to stop this global trafficking of synthetic drugs. MODERATOR:  Thank you, Assistant Secretary Robison.  The next question will go to Adyr Corral from El Sol de Mexico.  Adyr, please unmute yourself.  Go ahead.  Adyr, can you hear us?   Okay, unfortunately we’re going to have to move on.  I see we have a submitted question in our Q&amp;A from Brendan O’Boyle from Reuters in Mexico City: “Thank you, Ambassador.  Within the coalition, where is there concern about fentanyl’s short-term spread geographically?  In Mexico, some experts have sounded alarm about fentanyl spreading in drug supply domestically, though data is scarce.  Have coalition partners in Mexico recognized domestic spread?” ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  I’m sorry, can you repeat that question again? MODERATOR:  Sure, sir.  “Thank you, Ambassador.  Within the coalition, where is there concern about fentanyl’s short-term spread geographically?  In Mexico, some experts have sounded the alarm about fentanyl spreading in the drug supply domestically, though data is scarce.  Have coalition partners in Mexico recognized domestic spread?” ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  The short answer is I believe the Government of Mexico has recognized the short-term spread of synthetic opioids.  We are – and – but there’s a very good relationship between our Office of National Drug Control Policy and the secretary for Health in Mexico.  They are working very closely together on campaigns to raise awareness about synthetic opioids and what can be done to avoid falling into – into that addiction.  So we feel like we have a burgeoning story to tell, a better story to tell as we go forward on our cooperation on the messaging against the domestic – in Mexico, the domestic spread of the – and growth of the use of synthetic opioids. MODERATOR:  Thank you, Assistant Secretary.  I’m told we’ve resolved the microphone issues with Adyr Corral, so we’ll go back to Adyr Corral from El Sol de Mexico.  Please unmute yourself. QUESTION:  Hi.  You can hear me? ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Yes. MODERATOR:  We can hear you. QUESTION:  Ah, thank you very much.  Sorry for the problems.  I would like to ask the assistant secretary for a comment on the initiative to designate the fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction in Congress.  How about that, Assistant Secretary? ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Thank you, great question.  We have currently – the Department of Justice, DEA, FBI, Department of State – we feel like we have the authorities necessary to go after the networks that are trafficking in these drugs.  At the moment, we don’t see that classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction will give us any more authority than we already have to try to stop its trafficking.  So we feel pretty comfortable that we’re in a good place in terms of having the tools necessary to go after the drug and to go after the networks that are trafficking the drugs.  QUESTION:  Thank you very much.  MODERATOR:  Thank you, Assistant Secretary.  The next question was submitted in advance from Juan Silva from W Radio in Colombia:  “How do you assess the current situation in Colombia in terms of the fight against drugs?”  ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Well, as the correspondent, as Juan will know, we have a very long, very strong, very deep relationship with Colombia and Colombia’s security forces that has developed over a number of years.  We feel like we are – we have developed into great partners.  Colombia has become a net exporter of security globally, and that is in large part due to the very strong relationship that has developed with the United States.   Today we continue in that effort.  There are areas where we are hoping to start working – new areas where we are starting to – we want to begin working with the Petro government, and we are in constant conversation with Petro and his team to figure out how we can best help them bring greater security and safety to communities in Colombia, and by doing so, help shut down the networks that are trafficking drugs north to the United States.  Thanks.  MODERATOR:  Thank you, Assistant Secretary.   Our next question we received from Eduard Ribas from EFE:  “What responsibility does China have on the trafficking of fentanyl precursors?  How can this coalition be successful without Chinese participation?”  ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Well, I would say the – we know good things happen when China is involved in conversations like this.  You will recall in 2019 the Chinese Government scheduled fentanyl and made it much harder to get out of the country directly and be shipped directly to other countries.  And when they did that, the trafficking of fentanyl itself in the United States from China went to almost zero.  So we think that there’s a lot more that can be done by the PRC in terms of greater monitoring and labeling and information-sharing on the precursor chemicals that are leaving the PRC, and they – we invited them to join the coalition.  We expect at some point that they will take us up on our invitation because they want to be responsible, a responsible country in this effort.  And we all know that they play – that there are companies in China that play an important role in the distribution of the precursor chemicals that go into making these drugs.  Over.  MODERATOR:  Thank you, Assistant Secretary.  We have time for about two more questions.  One was submitted in advance from a journalist in Guyana regarding CARICOM, Denis Chabrol from Demarara Waves Online News:  “How badly are Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations affected by synthetic drugs?”  ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Thank you.  Again, this is a – that’s a great question.  I would say although we haven’t seen significant production in the Caribbean, it’s important to note that criminal chemists can easily synthesize fentanyl almost anywhere.  The Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats will provide a foundation for developing and implementing effective, practical solutions to prevent the illicit manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs.  It will help detect emerging drug threats, and we hope it will help respond to the – to their public health impacts.  Over. MODERATOR:  Thank you.  I see in the chat the journalist had added:  “What do we expect from CARICOM and what assistance the U.S. can provide?” ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Well, actually, I would turn it around.  The question should be:  What more can CARICOM countries do?  And I think, again, when we talk about things like exchanging information, when we talk about things like making sure that they are getting access, making sure their communities are getting access to the antidotes for overdoses, making sure that they are reporting to the international organizations that are collecting information that everybody else can use – those are the things that that we would hope we could get from countries that are involved in the global coalition.  And the United States and the international community will continue to help with training and equipping those police forces and prosecutors that are working on this issue.  Over. MODERATOR:  Thank you, Assistant Secretary.  We had a question from Martin Villena from Andina News Agency in Peru:  “Concerning the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats, does its launch also mean strengthening even more relations with countries such as Peru and Colombia, which face the issue and the related problems concerning cocaine productions in their territories?” ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Well, we’re always working to strengthening – strengthening the relationship with our good friends in Peru and Colombia.  But in fact, again, we will – what the establishment of this coalition is looking to do is to have our friends from Peru and Colombia share their experiences with other countries around the world and help other countries who don’t have the expertise that our countries do, help them address the issues in their countries.  We have great relationships with our partners in Peru and Colombia; I don’t expect that will change.  But we will – in the establishment of this coalition, we will be asking them to do more to help on a global level.  Over.   MODERATOR:  Thank you, Assistant Secretary.  We received a question from Carrie Kahn with NPR:  “How do proposals from some Republicans in the United States urging military intervention to stop fentanyl trafficking in Mexico affect your plans to enlist global partners?” ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Well, I would say we’re going to let Congress – the Senate and the House – develop and debate their own ideas.  We are going to – I am focused on working with our civilian security partners globally, making sure that they have the training, the equipment, the strategies; making sure they have access to the expertise necessary to focus on what is our responsibility, which is providing civilian security to our communities, both in the United States and around and world. MODERATOR:  Thank you, Assistant Secretary.  I believe we’ve gone through all the questions that we had today, so that will conclude today’s briefing.  I wanted to thank you for joining us today, as well as all of the journalists on the line for their questions.  If you have any follow-up questions about today’s briefing, you may contact the Miami Media Hub at MiamiHub@state.gov.  An English recording and transcript will be available for this briefing, as well as transcripts in Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese.  Thank you so much and have a good day. ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBINSON:  Thanks.  Thanks, everybody. 
- Antigua and Barbuda HomeReportsOffice to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons2023 Trafficking in Persons Report&#8230;Antigua and Barbuda				hide	document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) {	if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}});																							2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Antigua and Barbuda																																					Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons																																																																																																				 In this section										/																							ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA (Tier 2)																																													ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA (Tier 2)																															PRIORITIZED RECOMMENDATIONS:																																																																																		PROSECUTION																																																																																		PROTECTION																																																																																		PREVENTION																																																																																		TRAFFICKING PROFILE:																																																																																																								ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA (Tier 2)				The Government of Antigua and Barbuda does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore Antigua and Barbuda was upgraded to Tier 2. These efforts included investigating more trafficking cases, finalizing and implementing a new NAP, and updating victim identification and referral SOPs. However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. The government did not initiate any prosecutions for the third consecutive year and has never convicted a trafficker. The government did not identify any confirmed victims for the third consecutive year. The use of SOPs for victim identification and referral remained inconsistent.																																					PRIORITIZED RECOMMENDATIONS:						    																																															Vigorously investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes, convict traffickers, and seek appropriate penalties, which should involve significant prison terms.Continue to increase efforts to identify victims through proactive screening of at-risk populations, such as newly arrived migrants, individuals in commercial sex, and People’s Republic of China (PRC) national and Cuban workers on foreign government-affiliated programs.Continue to reduce delays in court proceedings.Consistently implement government-wide SOPs to proactively identify victims and refer them to care, and train front line officials in trafficking indicators and the difference between human trafficking and migrant smuggling.Continue to provide trauma-informed training on trafficking for NGOs and service providers to improve their ability to care for potential trafficking victims.Train police, prosecutors, and judicial officials on evidence collection and management for use in judicial proceedings.																																												PROSECUTION						    																																															The government maintained prosecution efforts. The 2010 Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act criminalized sex trafficking and labor trafficking, and prescribed penalties of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine for offenses involving an adult victim and up to 25 years’ imprisonment and a fine for those involving a child victim. These penalties were sufficiently stringent and, with respect to sex trafficking, commensurate with those for other serious crimes, such as rape.The government initiated investigation of 12 suspects in 10 cases during the reporting period, including four cases of sex trafficking, four of labor trafficking, one case involving both sex and labor trafficking, and one case of unspecified exploitation; this compared with five trafficking investigations during the previous reporting period, no investigations in 2020, and 10 in 2019. The government did not report initiating any prosecutions for the third consecutive year. Authorities continued prosecution of one alleged sex trafficker initiated in a previous reporting period. The government has never convicted a trafficker. The government did not report any investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of government employees complicit in trafficking offenses; in past reporting periods, police officers allegedly complicit in trafficking crimes reportedly received administrative sanctions instead of being tried under the trafficking law. The Director of Public Prosecution prosecuted all trafficking cases during the reporting period; the High Court would hear all trafficking cases if they reached that stage. Courts continued to experience substantial backlogs following pandemic restrictions, which were lifted in 2022. Courts introduced judge-only trials for prosecutions, including those involving trafficking, in order to address court backlogs. Courts also introduced the option for virtual testimony from overseas for victim-witnesses; written testimony was also an available option, but the government did not report using either of these for trafficking cases during the reporting period. A foreign victim refused to cooperate in the prosecution of a suspected trafficker following repatriation.The Trafficking in Persons Prevention Unit (TIP unit) was responsible for investigating trafficking cases and included four full-time staff. The TIP unit was the investigative arm of the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Committee (TPPC), which was the national coordinating body. Outside observers noted the country’s investigative capacity remained weak with limited capacity and difficulties bringing cases to prosecution. The government invited a foreign trafficking investigator to embed with the TIP unit and advise on investigative techniques, which resulted in an investigation into a possible international trafficking ring. The government participated in a regional operation funded by a foreign donor and participated in another operation funded by an international organization. The government trained police, justice sector officials, immigration officials, social service and health officials, customs officials, and labor officials on investigation and interview techniques, victim identification, and victim care.																																												PROTECTION						    																																															The government maintained protection efforts. The TIP unit screened individuals in commercial sex for trafficking indicators and worked with the immigration department to improve screening of other at-risk populations, such as economic migrants, including individuals from West Africa; entertainers; and foreign workers, including those on foreign government-affiliated programs. The government had SOPs to guide law enforcement, immigration, and social services officials in the screening and identification of potential victims, although observers noted widespread official and public lack of understanding of the difference between trafficking and migrant smuggling. The government did not use the SOPs consistently when screening for forced labor. The government updated the SOPs during the reporting period to include training and additional government agencies. The TIP unit was solely responsible for victim screening and identification but received referrals from other front-line authorities. The government identified 77 potential victims, most of whom were likely smuggled migrants. The government did not identify any potential victims in 2021 or 2020 and has not identified a confirmed victim since 2019. Authorities assigned victims a care officer from the Cases Task Force, chaired by a senior police officer. The government reported it provided services including legal assistance, personal care kits, counseling, and psycho-social support to all 77 potential victims. The government reported providing two of the potential victims with additional services, including housing, meals, transportation, immigration assistance, and purchase of an airline ticket for repatriation. NGOs also provided some services to the 77 potential victims. Government services for victims were adequate. The government did not have trafficking-specific shelters, but had safe spaces for adult and child trafficking victims. The safe spaces were operated and secured by law enforcement officers. Adult victims could choose among approved accommodations, could leave accommodations unchaperoned if authorities determined it was safe for them to do so, and could choose to decline any service including accommodation. The Family and Social Services Division could provide additional services to children; however, there were no child victims during the reporting period. There was no time limit to victim care services. The Directorate of Gender Affairs’ Support and Referral Center for victims of any form of GBV could also offer services and support to trafficking victims, including legal assistance and emergency accommodation.The government could provide temporary residency status as an alternative to removal to countries where victims may face hardship or retribution by traffickers; this assistance was not contingent on assisting law enforcement. Victims could obtain a work permit or leave the country after the Cases Task Force approved a satisfactory risk assessment. In these cases, the government contacted an international organization and the relevant local trafficking unit in the country of origin for reintegration. The TIP unit reported it worked with an international organization to repatriate a potential trafficking victim to a neighboring country and provided support to reintegrate the victim in a new community. The government informed potential victims of their rights, including that their participation in investigations and prosecutions was voluntary. The government reported victims could speak to the Directorate of Gender Affairs, a social worker, or another appropriate third party, including NGOs, to report cases or access the judicial system in addition to or instead of law enforcement. The government had a policy of not disclosing a victim’s location, providing security at the victim’s location and in transit, allowing for testimony via video link, and not disclosing a victim’s identity to the public or media. The Directorate of Gender Affairs could also assist in helping victims obtain protection orders or advocate with relevant authorities to obtain assistance to help individuals in danger leave the country. However, the government did not report receiving requests for or using any of these methods during the reporting period. Due to a lack of understanding of victim identification procedures, authorities may have failed to identify some trafficking victims. The government trained NGOs and victim service providers on victim identification and victim care.																																												PREVENTION						    																																															The government slightly increased prevention efforts. The solicitor general led the TPPC, which served as the national coordinating body for anti-trafficking efforts. The TPPC consisted of government agencies and two NGOs and carried out enforcement, research, and victim advocacy functions. The TPPC oversaw the TIP Unit. The TPPC met several times during the reporting period. The government finalized and implemented a NAP for 2023, spending 220,718 Eastern Caribbean dollars (EC) ($81,747) on such activities and increased funding for the TIP unit despite the ongoing pandemic-related economic downturn. The government also increased funding for the TIP unit and provided the TPPC with dedicated funding. The TIP unit funded investigations out of its general budget. The government reported obtaining survivor feedback on policies indirectly through third parties who engaged survivors. The government published an annual report containing general information on trafficking and a summary of its anti-trafficking efforts as it had done in prior years.The government increased public awareness activities – including some postponed due to the pandemic – through billboards, social media, radio, and television and at schools and church street fairs; outreach included LGBTQI+ and other at-risk groups. The government reported the pandemic continued to limit some other in-person public awareness events. The government provided awareness materials in English, French, Spanish, and Mandarin. The Directorate of Gender Affairs consulted with NGOs to avoid messaging containing stereotypes or racialized narratives. Outside observers noted the campaigns were effective. The government maintained a hotline for domestic abuse and GBV that could receive calls regarding trafficking, but reported receiving no such calls during the reporting period; the government could also receive anonymous calls through the crime stoppers number or via the TPPC’s social media page.The government reported the only registered labor recruitment agency did not charge fees. The government implemented procedures for the issuance of work permits to foreign nationals. Foreign nationals could not enter the country until the Ministry of Labor (MOL) approved a work permit and could not start work before obtaining a permit; MOL interviewed all applicants for renewal permits. Workers did not need permission from their employers before switching jobs, apart from workers involved in programs arranged through a foreign government, who had the option to return home. The government reported the 1975 labor code set labor monitoring standards for foreign laborers and authorities monitored their work in accordance with the law. In 2023, the government conducted a rapid needs assessment of newly arrived migrants, mainly from Cameroon, in cooperation with two international organizations. To raise awareness among migrant laborers on the risks of trafficking, the government posted labor laws and regulations on government and other websites, posted signage at all ports of entry, and conducted awareness training for frontline workers (immigration, police, customs, and labor officers) on how to interview and communicate with migrant workers. The government did not make efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts. The government did not report on efforts to prevent child sex tourism.																																												TRAFFICKING PROFILE:						    																																															As reported over the past five years, traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Antigua and Barbuda, and traffickers exploit victims from Antigua and Barbuda abroad. Individuals from minority communities are at higher risk of trafficking. Documented and undocumented migrants from the Caribbean region have been identified as victims of sex trafficking and forced labor. Prior to the pandemic, traffickers exploited victims in multiple-destination trafficking, arriving in Antigua and Barbuda for a few months before their traffickers exploited them in other Caribbean countries such as St. Kitts and Nevis and Barbados. Intraregional air traffic stopped due to the pandemic in March 2020; the government reported fewer potential foreign victims may have arrived in the country as a result. Although travel from the United States and the United Kingdom resumed by the end of the reporting period, the government reported traffickers did not commonly exploit victims on these routes, and tourism activity remained depressed, apart from the cruise industry. Sex trafficking occurs in bars, taverns, and brothels, including with girls; while these establishments were largely closed during the pandemic, they gradually returned to regular operations. Forced labor, including of children, occurs in domestic service and the retail sector, particularly in family-owned businesses. Cubans working in Antigua and Barbuda may have been forced to work by the Cuban government. PRC nationals working in Antigua and Barbuda may have been forced to work on PRC-affiliated programs. In November 2022 and early 2023, inaugural flights from Nigeria arrived on a temporary charter service; some of the passengers from West Africa may be vulnerable to trafficking. The government suspended flights from Africa to review passenger vetting protocols and invited international organizations to advise on the government’s strategy to protect passengers newly vulnerable to trafficking.																																				    							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- Antigua and Barbuda HomeReportsOffice of International Religious Freedom2022 Report on International Religious Freedom&#8230;Antigua and Barbuda				hide	document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) {	if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}});																							2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Antigua and Barbuda																																					Office of International Religious Freedom																																																																																							Download Report																																																																																	 In this section										/																							Executive Summary																																													Executive Summary																															Section I. Religious Demography																																																																																		Section II. Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom																																																									Legal Framework																																																																											Government Practices																																																																																	Section III. Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom																																																																																		Section IV. U.S. Government Policy and Engagement																																																																																																								Executive Summary				The constitution provides for freedom of thought and religion, as well as the right to practice and change one’s religion or belief. The law decriminalizing marijuana for any use also recognizes the government’s responsibility to uphold the religious rights of persons of the Hindu and Rastafari faiths.During the year, the government continued its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all public sector and government workers and students older than 12. In response to objections by some religious leaders, the government allowed religious exemptions to vaccination. Some members of the Rastafarian community said police targeted them for transporting cannabis, although transporting cannabis between private residences and private places of worship is permitted under the law.In September, officials at a private school denied admittance to a five-year-old Rastafarian pupil because she was wearing her hair in traditional Rastafarian locks, contrary to the school’s dress code. The government stated the action was discriminatory.U.S. embassy officials met with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Social Transformation and Human Resource Development, as well as leadership of the interdenominational Christian Council and Rastafarian leaders, to highlight the importance of freedom of religion and the value of religious diversity in contributing to society. The embassy also recognized the celebration of diverse religious holidays throughout the year and sent messages highlighting the commemoration of U.S. National Religious Freedom Day and International Holocaust Remembrance Day.																														Section I.													 Religious Demography												    																																															The U.S. government estimates the total population at 100,335 (midyear 2022).  According to the 2011 census, the most recent, 17.6 percent of the population are Anglican, 12.4 percent Seventh-day Adventist, 12.2 percent Pentecostal, 8.3 percent Moravian, 8.2 percent Roman Catholic, and 5.6 percent Methodist.  Those with unspecified or no religious beliefs account for 5.5 percent and 5.9 percent of the population, respectively.Members of the Baptist Church, the Church of God, and the Wesleyan Holiness Consortium each account for less than 5 percent of the population.  The census categorizes an additional 12.2 percent of the population as belonging to other religious groups, including Rastafarians, Muslims, Hindus, and Baha’is, without providing percentages for each group.  Based on anecdotal information, these four religious groups are listed from largest to smallest.																																					Section II.													 Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom												    																																																Legal Framework										The constitution provides for freedom of thought and religion, as well as the right to change and practice one’s religion or belief. The constitution protects individuals, without their consent, from taking oaths, receiving religious instruction, and participating in religious events contradictory to their beliefs. These rights may be limited in the interests of defense or public safety, order, morality, or health, or to protect the rights of others, unless actions under such limitations can be shown “not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.” The constitution prohibits members of the clergy from running for elected office. No law may be adopted that contradicts these constitutional provisions. The government does not enforce a law outlawing blasphemous language in a public place or any other place that would “cause annoyance to the public.”Religious groups must register with the government to receive tax- and duty-free concessions and to own, build, or renovate property. To register, religious groups must fill out an online tax form that describes the group’s activities. The government uses this form to determine the group’s tax status. The Inland Revenue Department reviews and approves the completed form, usually granting registration and tax concessions.The law prohibits religious instruction in public schools. Private schools may provide religious instruction. While public schools require parents to immunize their children to attend school, some private schools do not require immunizations for their students. The law permits homeschooling.The law decriminalizing marijuana for any use also recognizes the government’s responsibility to uphold the religious rights of persons of the Hindu and Rastafari faiths. The law allows these persons to apply for a special religious license to cultivate the plant within their private dwelling, use the plant for religious purposes within their private dwelling or within their approved place of worship, and transport the plant between their private dwelling and approved places of worship. The special religious license, however, does not permit any commercial or financial transaction involving any part of the cannabis plant.The country is not a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.																																				Government Practices										During the year, the government continued its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all public sector and government workers and students over age 12. The government allowed religious exemptions, which some adherents sought, especially from the Rastafari faith. Some religious groups, including some Christian groups, however, continued to object to the government’s vaccination requirement.Media outlets reported some Rastafarians with licenses to cultivate cannabis complained that police targeted them for arrest for transporting cannabis, which the law permitted between private residences and private places of worship.																																					Section III.													 Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom												    																																															In September, officials at a private school denied admittance to a five-year-old Rastafarian pupil, after she had been accepted as a student, because she was wearing her hair in traditional Rastafarian locks, contrary to the school’s dress code.  According to media outlets, the incident resulted in a heated public debate on religious freedom and expressions of religious identity.  The government and some members of the public said the school’s action was discriminatory, and the government stated it condemned any school that did not allow students to wear their hair according to their family’s religious beliefs.  Other members of the public said if parents choose to send their child to a religious school, it was their responsibility to abide by the rules of the school rather than to impose their religious beliefs.  By year’s end, the pupil had transferred to another school.																																					Section IV.													 U.S. Government Policy and Engagement												    																																															U.S. embassy officials met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Social Transformation and Human Resource Development representatives to highlight the importance of promoting freedom of religion and the value of religious diversity in society.  Embassy officials also met with leaders of the interdenominational Christian Council, the Syrian diaspora (who are primarily Christian), and the Rastafarian community to discuss religious diversity and tolerance.The embassy maintained social media engagement on religious freedom issues.  The embassy also recognized the celebration of diverse religious holidays throughout the year and posted messages commemorating U.S. National Religious Freedom Day and International Holocaust Remembrance Day.																																				    							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Religious Demography																																																	Section II. Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom																																							Legal Framework																																																						Government Practices																																																			Section III. Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom																																																	Section IV. U.S. Government Policy and Engagement																																																							Tags																					Antigua and Barbuda																								Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs																								Office of International Religious Freedom																																Religious Freedom
- Antigua and Barbuda HomeReportsBureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices&#8230;Antigua and Barbuda				hide	document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) {	if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}});																							2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Antigua and Barbuda																																					Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor																																																																																							Download Report																																																							Translations																																																																 In this section										/																							EXECUTIVE SUMMARY																																													EXECUTIVE SUMMARY																															Section 1. Respect for the Integrity of the Person																																																									a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings																																																																											b. Disappearance																																																																											c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses																																																																			Prison and Detention Center Conditions																																																																																																																		d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention																																																																			Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees																																																																																																																		e. Denial of Fair Public Trial																																																																			Trial Procedures																																																								Political Prisoners and Detainees																																																								Civil Judicial Procedures and Remedies																																																																																																																		f. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence																																																																																	Section 2. Respect for Civil Liberties																																																									a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media																																																																			Internet Freedom																																																																																																																		b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association																																																																											c. Freedom of Religion																																																																											d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country																																																																											e. Protection of Refugees																																																																																	Section 3. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process																																																									Elections and Political Participation																																																																																	Section 4. Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government																																																																																		Section 5. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights																																																																																		Section 6. Discrimination and Societal Abuses																																																									Women																																																																											Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination																																																																											Children																																																																											Antisemitism																																																																											Trafficking in Persons																																																																											Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics																																																																											Persons with Disabilities																																																																											Other Societal Violence or Discrimination																																																																																	Section 7. Worker Rights																																																									a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining																																																																											b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor																																																																											c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment																																																																											d. Discrimination with Respect to Employment and Occupation																																																																											e. Acceptable Conditions of Work																																																																																																							EXECUTIVE SUMMARY				Antigua and Barbuda is a multiparty parliamentary democracy. The prime minister is the head of government and King Charles III is the head of state, represented by a governor general. The ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party won a majority of seats in parliamentary elections, held in 2018. Observers deemed the elections free and fair.Security forces consist of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, prison guard service, immigration officers, airport and port security personnel, Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, and Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy. National security, including police and prison guards, falls under the supervision of the attorney general, who is also the minister of legal affairs, public safety, and labor. Immigration falls under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Immigration. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for money-laundering policy. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. There were no reports that members of the security forces committed abuses.Significant human rights issues included reports of government corruption and the existence of laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults, although those laws were not enforced, and the High Court ruled them unconstitutional in July.The government had mechanisms in place to identify and punish officials who may commit human rights abuses or engage in corruption.																														Section 1.													 Respect for the Integrity of the Person												    																																																a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings										There were no reports the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings.																																				b. Disappearance										There were no reports of disappearances by or on behalf of government authorities.																																				c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses										The constitution prohibits such practices, and there were no reports that government officials employed them.  Impunity was not a significant problem in the security forces.																Prison and Detention Center Conditions						Prison and detention center conditions were harsh due to overcrowding and inadequate sanitary conditions.Abusive Physical Conditions:  The country’s sole prison was built in 1735 to hold 150 prisoners, but as of September, it held 233.  Prison officials reported the overcrowded and aging prison structures were not adequate for prisoner rehabilitation.  They noted the main infrastructure problems were lack of adequate toilet facilities and garbage disposal.Administration:  The superintendent of prisons reviews mistreatment reports and forwards them to a prison-visiting committee for further investigation.Independent Monitoring:  The government permits prison visits by independent human rights observers, but no visits occurred during the year.Improvements:  In January media reported prison officials improved living conditions by setting up 36 containers to house more beds and installing a new shower and toilet facility.  Officials also constructed new office space and a perimeter fence and expanded prisoner education access, enabling six prisoners to take part in virtual university courses.																										d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention										The constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and provides for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention in court.  The government generally observed these requirements.																Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees						The law permits police to arrest a person without a warrant, based on a suspicion of criminal activity.  Police must bring detainees before a court within 48 hours of arrest or detention or file a motion requesting an extension.  The law stipulates prisoners must be released if these time limits are not met.  There is a functioning bail system, but a person charged with murder cannot obtain bail.  The government pays for the cost of a lawyer in capital cases if a defendant is unable to afford one.																										e. Denial of Fair Public Trial										The constitution provides for an independent judiciary, and the government generally respected judicial independence and impartiality.																Trial Procedures						The constitution provides for the right to a fair and public trial by jury, and the judiciary generally enforced this right.						Political Prisoners and Detainees						There were no reports of political prisoners or detainees.						Civil Judicial Procedures and Remedies						Individuals and organizations may seek civil remedies through domestic courts for human rights violations.  They may apply to the High Court for redress of alleged violations of their constitutional rights.  They may appeal adverse domestic decisions to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.																										f. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence										The constitution prohibits such actions, and there were no reports that the government failed to respect these prohibitions.																																					Section 2.													 Respect for Civil Liberties												    																																																a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media										The constitution provides for freedom of expression, including for the press and other media, and the government generally respected this right.  An independent media, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combined to promote freedom of expression, including for members of the media, on a somewhat limited basis.																Internet Freedom						The government did not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content, and there were no credible reports the government monitored private online communications without appropriate legal authority.																										b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association										The constitution provides for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and the government generally respected these rights.																																				c. Freedom of Religion										See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report at  www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/.																																				d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country										The law provides for freedom of internal movement, foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation, and the government generally respected these related rights.																																				e. Protection of Refugees										The government cooperated with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration, and other humanitarian organizations in assisting refugees and asylum seekers.Access to Asylum: The law does not provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status, and the government has not established a system for providing protection to refugees. The government handles asylum requests on an ad hoc basis.																																					Section 3.													 Freedom to Participate in the Political Process												    																																																Elections and Political Participation										Recent Elections: In the most recent elections, held in 2018, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party won 15 of 17 seats in the House of Representatives and Gaston Browne was subsequently named prime minister. The Caribbean Community Observation Mission and a Commonwealth Observer Group monitored the elections. In their initial report, monitors noted the electoral boundaries had seen only minor adjustments since 1984, leading to large disparities in voter populations in different electoral districts. The monitors stated that despite problems with the electoral process, the results “reflected the will of the people.”Participation of Women and Members of Minority Groups: No laws limit participation of women or members of minority groups in the political process, and they did participate.																																					Section 4.													 Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government												    																																															The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government had not fully implemented the law.  Media reported allegations of corruption by officials during the year.  Media and private citizens reported government corruption was widespread and endorsed at the highest levels of government.Corruption:  The government pursued corruption cases, but media noted public discontent that some cases of high-level corruption were unpunished.  The Citizenship by Investment Program was a critical source of government revenue.  Although the unit running the program claimed to make public its semiannual reports, the government’s most recent published update covered January 1 – June 30, 2020.  This delayed publication contributed to criticism that the program lacked full transparency and led to concerns by civil society and opposition political leaders regarding oversight and the potential for misuse of funds.																																					Section 5.													 Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights												    																																															Domestic human rights groups generally operated without government restriction, investigating and publishing their findings on human rights cases.  Government officials were generally cooperative and responsive to their views.Government Human Rights Bodies:  An independent ombudsman appointed by Parliament handles public complaints against police, government officials, and government offices.  The ombudsman takes complaints, conducts investigations, and then makes recommendations to the relevant authorities.  Civil society groups generally considered the ombudsman effective.																																					Section 6.													 Discrimination and Societal Abuses												    																																																Women										Rape and Domestic Violence: The law establishes sentences ranging from 10 years’ to life imprisonment for conviction of the rape of women. The law also addresses rape of men and establishes sentences of five years’ to life imprisonment if convicted. Spousal rape is illegal under certain limited circumstances, such as after a legal separation, with a punishment of 15 years’ imprisonment if convicted. The government enforced the law.Violence against women, including rape and spousal abuse, continued to be a serious problem. The law prohibits domestic violence, but the law was not enforced. Media and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) reported an increase in cases of rape and gender-based violence, especially among younger women. Authorities stated they had several domestic violence programs, including training for law enforcement officers, health-care professionals, counselors, social workers, immigration officers, and army officers.Sexual Harassment: The law covers assault; it does not prohibit sexual harassment.Reproductive Rights: There were no reports of coerced abortion or involuntary sterilization on the part of government authorities.There were no legal or social barriers to accessing contraception, but some religious beliefs and cultural barriers limited its usage. Sexual and reproductive health information and services were generally affordable and accessible to all.The government provided access to sexual and reproductive health services, including emergency contraception for survivors of sexual violence, through the Ministry of Social Transformation, Human Resource Development, and the Blue Economy.Discrimination: The law provides the same legal status and rights for women and men. According to government officials, the law requires equal pay for equal work. The law does not specifically prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace. The labor code stipulates it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an individual because of his or her gender. The Ministry of Labour reported that it did not receive any complaints of employment discrimination during the year.																																				Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination										The law protects all citizens from broad forms of discrimination, and the law was enforced. The country does not have a racially or ethnically diverse population. Approximately 91 percent of the population is Black, and approximately 87 percent of the Black population is of African descent. According to the government, systemic racial or ethnic discrimination was not a concern. There were no reports of systemic discrimination.																																				Children										Birth Registration: Citizenship is acquired by birth in the country, and the government registers all children at birth, without discrimination. Children born abroad to citizen parents may be registered by either parent.Child Abuse: Child abuse remained a significant problem. There were several media reports of sexual and physical abuse of children during the year. The law on child abuse includes provisions regarding child-care services and the placing of abused children in the care of government authorities. The law stipulates a significant fine or three years in prison for conviction of child abuse. In extreme cases, the government removes children from their homes and places them in foster care or into a government-run or private children’s home.Child, Early, and Forced Marriage: The legal minimum age for marriage is 18 for both men and women. Children ages 16-17 may marry with parental consent. Marriage when either partner was younger than 18 was rare.Sexual Exploitation of Children: Child pornography is illegal and subject to large fines and up to 20 years in prison. The minimum age for consensual sex is 16.																																				Antisemitism										The Jewish community was very small, and there were no reports of antisemitic acts.																																				Trafficking in Persons										See the Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report at  https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/.																																				Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics										Criminalization: In July the Antigua and Barbuda High Court ruled unconstitutional sections of the Sexual Offences Act that criminalize certain sexual activities between same-sex consenting adults. The change came about after an openly homosexual man and a local NGO challenged the act in court, arguing sections pertaining to consensual same-sex acts between adults violated their constitutional rights. Previously, sodomy was criminalized in the Sexual Offences Act under indecency statutes, with a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment, and consensual same-sex sexual conduct between men or between women was criminalized, with a maximum penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment. Laws regarding sodomy and same-sex sexual conduct were not enforced.Violence against LGBTQI+ Persons: There were no reports of violence committed against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation.Discrimination: No law specifically prohibits discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons. Discrimination was widespread in the workplace, at school, and in access to health care.Availability of Legal Gender Recognition: Individuals are not allowed to change their gender identify marker on legal and identification documents to align with their self-identified gender identity.Involuntary or Coercive Medical or Psychological Practices Specifically Targeting LGBTQI+ Individuals: There were no reports of widespread coercive medical or psychological practices targeting LGBTQI+ individuals to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.Restrictions of Freedom of Expression, Association, or Peaceful Assembly: There were no reports of restrictions of freedom of expression, association, or peaceful assemble regarding LGBTQI+ matters.																																				Persons with Disabilities										NGOs and private citizens reported that individuals with disabilities faced unequal access to education, employment, public buildings, and transportation. NGOs reported that a small percentage of children with disabilities attended public schools, especially at the secondary level and above. Learners with disabilities usually attended specialized schools because traditional public schools did not have the resources to assist them. NGOs reported that families unable to pay for private education often kept children with disabilities hidden away at home.The law prohibits any form of discrimination based on disability and stipulates a moderate fine or two years’ imprisonment for violations. Authorities stated the law requires that persons with disabilities must be able to access education, health services, public buildings, and transportation on an equal basis with all other persons; however, the law was not fully implemented or enforced.																																				Other Societal Violence or Discrimination										Media reported some incidents of discrimination based on religious beliefs. In August, media reported that a Rastafarian kindergarten student was denied access to a private school due to wearing her hair in traditional Rastafarian locks. The government and public strongly condemned the discrimination.An NGO representative reported that fear, stigma, and discrimination impaired the willingness of some persons with HIV to obtain treatment. Anecdotal evidence suggested employers dismissed and discriminated against employees with HIV or AIDS.																																					Section 7.													 Worker Rights												    																																																a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining										The law provides for the right of public-sector and private-sector workers to form and join independent unions. The law also provides for the right to bargain collectively and conduct legal strikes, but it imposes restrictions on the right to strike. The Court of Industrial Relations may limit the right to strike in a dispute. Once either party to a dispute requests the court to mediate, there can be no strike. Due to delays associated with this process, unions often resolve labor disputes before a strike is called. The law prohibits antiunion discrimination by employers but does not specifically require reinstatement of workers illegally fired for union activity.Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining were generally respected for citizen workers as well as migrant laborers. Unions said some foreign workers reported that employers threatened withdrawal of their worker permits if they joined a union. There were no reports of antiunion discrimination, nor were there any reports of violations of collective bargaining rights.Workers who provide essential services (including water, electricity, hospital, fire, prison, air traffic control, meteorology, telecommunications, government printing office, and port authority) must give two weeks’ notice of intent to strike. If either party to a dispute requests court mediation, strikes are prohibited under penalty of imprisonment for any private-sector worker and some government workers. The Industrial Relations Court may issue an injunction against a legal strike when the national interest is threatened or affected. The law prohibits retaliation against strikers.Penalties for violating labor laws range from a minor fine to two months in prison and were commensurate with those for denials of other civil rights. Penalties were regularly applied against violators. The government enforced the right of association and collective bargaining. Administrative and judicial procedures, however, were often subject to lengthy delays and appeals.Unions and private citizens reported a decline in respect for workers’ rights during the pandemic that continued during the year, as well as a need for more meaningful engagement of all stakeholders regarding labor policies.																																				b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor										The law prohibits and criminalizes all forms of forced or compulsory labor. The government did not receive any complaints of forced labor. The Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy investigates cases of trafficking in persons, including forced labor allegations. The law prescribes penalties of 20 to 30 years’ imprisonment and significant fines. The government effectively enforced laws on forced labor.																																				c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment										Laws collectively prohibit the worst forms of child labor, but specific details are not in any single statute. The government enforced child labor laws effectively, and there were no reports of child labor law violations. Penalties were regularly applied.The law stipulates a minimum working age of 16, although work prohibitions do not apply to family businesses. In some circumstances, children younger than 16 are eligible for employment with restrictions, such as not working during school hours and working a maximum number of hours. Persons younger than 18 may not work past 10 p.m., except in certain sectors, and in some cases must have a medical clearance to obtain employment. No list of types of hazardous work exists for the protection of those younger than 18.The law requires the Ministry of Labour to conduct periodic inspections of workplaces. There were no reports of illegal child labor; however, there were no child labor inspections. The law allows for a small financial penalty or three months in prison for violations. Penalties were less than for analogous serious crimes.																																				d. Discrimination with Respect to Employment and Occupation										The law prohibits discrimination with respect to employment and occupation based on race, skin color, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, political beliefs, and disability. Penalties include a fine and up to 12 months in prison. Penalties were commensurate with civil rights penalties and were regularly applied. The Ministry of Labour did not receive any discrimination complaints during the year. During the year, Parliament amended the labor code to increase maternity leave from 12 to 14 weeks. Gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace existed but was not prevalent.The law does not prohibit employment discrimination based on religion, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV or other communicable disease status, or social status, but the government encouraged employers not to discriminate on these grounds.The government extended amnesty through June to illegal and undocumented immigrants, allowing them the opportunity to regularize their status and become legal, tax-paying workers.																																				e. Acceptable Conditions of Work										Wage and Hour Laws: The government does not have an established poverty income level. Most workers earned substantially more than the minimum wage. The government increased the minimum wage in November for the first time since 2015.The law provides that workers are not required to work more than a 48-hour, six-day workweek. The law requires that employees be paid for overtime work at one and one-half times their basic hourly wage after exceeding 40 hours in the workweek. The Ministry of Labour put few limitations on overtime, allowing it in temporary or occasional cases, but did not allow employers to make regular overtime compulsory. Penalties for illegal overtime did not always effectively deter labor violations.Occupational Safety and Health: The law includes occupational safety and health (OSH) provisions, but some are out of date. Government entities responsible for OSH identified unsafe conditions, including lack of personal protective equipment against COVID-19, in addition to responding to workers’ OSH complaints. The Ministry of Labour reported that workers were allowed to remove themselves from unsafe situations that endangered their health or safety without jeopardizing their employment. The ministry has the authority to require special safety measures not otherwise defined in the law for worker safety. Penalties for violations of OSH laws were not always commensurate with those for similar crimes, such as negligence. In February, media reported that a police welfare association complained of the unsanitary working conditions of police stations, lack of uniforms, medical insurance, and inadequate risk allowance for officers.Wage, Hour, and OSH Enforcement: Labor inspectors are responsible for enforcement of labor laws in the formal and informal sectors. The government reported there were seven labor inspectors, which was insufficient to enforce full compliance per International Labor Organization benchmarks. Inspectors have authority to conduct unannounced inspections. No safety violations were reported.Informal Sector: The government estimated that 15 percent of the workforce was in the informal sector and that the informal sector contributed 25-30 percent of economic output. Informal-sector employment was unregulated and unreported. All informal workers are required to contribute to social security and medical national insurance to access benefits.																																				    							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Respect for the Integrity of the Person																																							a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings																																																						b. Disappearance																																																						c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses																																																				Prison and Detention Center Conditions																																																																																				d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention																																																				Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees																																																																																				e. Denial of Fair Public Trial																																																				Trial Procedures																																												Political Prisoners and Detainees																																												Civil Judicial Procedures and Remedies																																																																																				f. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence																																																			Section 2. Respect for Civil Liberties																																							a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media																																																				Internet Freedom																																																																																				b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association																																																						c. Freedom of Religion																																																						d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country																																																						e. Protection of Refugees																																																			Section 3. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process																																							Elections and Political Participation																																																			Section 4. Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government																																																	Section 5. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights																																																	Section 6. Discrimination and Societal Abuses																																							Women																																																						Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination																																																						Children																																																						Antisemitism																																																						Trafficking in Persons																																																						Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics																																																						Persons with Disabilities																																																						Other Societal Violence or Discrimination																																																			Section 7. Worker Rights																																							a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining																																																						b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor																																																						c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment																																																						d. Discrimination with Respect to Employment and Occupation																																																						e. Acceptable Conditions of Work																																																									Tags																					Antigua and Barbuda																								Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor																								Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
- INCLE-CBSI Activities – Summative Evaluation (Summary) 
- Antigua and Barbuda National Day Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of StateI would like to extend my congratulations to the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda on their 41st year of independence.We thank Antigua and Barbuda for its close cooperation with the United States on regional security issues, to include countering narcotrafficking and reducing the flow of illicit arms. Our mutual legal assistance treaty has benefitted both of our countries, and we hope to continue working together to prevent crime before it happens, by increasing educational, economic and social opportunities for at-risk youth.Antigua and Barbuda is on the front line of the climate crisis, and the United States is committed to elevating our cooperation to support climate adaptation and resilience and strengthen energy security with the urgency these challenges demand, through the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030).I wish the people of Antigua and Barbuda a happy Independence Day and a prosperous year ahead.