In July, the Public Employees Union initiated a strike following the government s refusal to negotiate plans for downsizing the country s large public sector, including employee layoff packages. The action followed a High Court decision dismissing the government s request for an injunction against the strike, which it had claimed was illegal. The judiciary is independent, and procedural safeguards are adequate, with a right of ultimate appeal in certain circumstances to the Privy Council in London. The constitution provides for an ombudsman s office to investigate claims of unfair treatment by the authorities, but its effectiveness is limited in practice by a lack of adequate resources. There have been occasional reports of police abusing suspects, although no reports of excessive force were recorded during the year.
Citizens are free to travel domestically and abroad.
Women face discrimination in education and employment opportunities, and authorities generally do not protect victims of domestic violence or enforce relevant laws.