The estimated real economic growth rate was 4.65 percent in 1997, and the projected annual growth rate for 1998 was 4.78 percent. Citizens enjoy a wide range of civil and political rights. Human rights problems include an allegation of police brutality during arrest, which has not been confirmed judicially. The Commissioner of Police has spoken out strongly against police use of unlawful force. Violence against women is common but appears to be on the decline.
Child abuse is a problem.
There were no reports of political or other extrajudicial killings. There were no reports of politically motivated disappearances. The Constitution prohibits such practices, and there were no reported incidents of torture. Flogging, a legal form of punishment, is rare but has been used as punishment for sex crimes and theft cases. The press reported one allegation of police brutality, which involved excessive use of force in making an arrest.