分类： society

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has delivered on his commitment to the Bethesda Sports Club by donating a driver-operated lawn mower, addressing persistent challenges in maintaining the village playing field. The equipment was officially handed over this month by Lynnette Thwaites, an administrative assistant in the Office of the Prime Minister and a native of Bethesda, who acted on Browne’s behalf. The pledge was made earlier this year during a town-hall meeting, where club president Anthony “IRoots” Martin highlighted the difficulties in field upkeep. Browne promptly assured the community of his support, culminating in the recent donation. Club officials, including Martin, Vice President Dale Lawrence, Coach Howard Warner, and Groundsman Kenneth Charles, expressed their gratitude, emphasizing the mower’s potential to significantly enhance the facility’s condition for players and the broader community. The Bethesda Sports Club, renowned for fostering young athletes and promoting community engagement through sports, views the donation as a vital step in continuing its mission effectively. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to supporting grassroots sports and community development.

Antigua and Barbuda has failed to secure a single conviction for human trafficking since enacting its anti-trafficking legislation in 2010, according to the 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report. This alarming statistic has led international observers to criticize the nation for fostering a culture of impunity. Despite investigating 13 suspects across nine trafficking cases in the past year, no prosecutions or convictions were recorded. The report highlights systemic issues such as weak investigative capabilities, legal system corruption, and insufficient resources as key barriers to justice. Penalties under the law are severe, ranging from 20 years’ imprisonment for adult trafficking to 25 years for crimes against children, yet these measures remain unenforced. Court backlogs, limited financial and human resources, and the small size of the Eastern Caribbean state further complicate efforts to protect victim-witnesses, many of whom are reluctant to testify due to inadequate safeguards. While the government has made strides in prevention through public awareness campaigns and a new National Action Plan, the absence of prosecutions underscores a significant gap between policy and practice. The report also noted that no government employees have been investigated or prosecuted for complicity in trafficking crimes, raising concerns about accountability. Antigua and Barbuda’s continued Tier 2 ranking in the report acknowledges its efforts but emphasizes the urgent need for tangible results in combating human trafficking.

Antigua and Barbuda has retained its Tier 2 status in the U.S. government’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, highlighting both advancements and shortcomings in the nation’s fight against human trafficking. While the country has made strides in prevention, training, and safeguarding vulnerable foreign workers, it continues to face significant challenges in prosecuting traffickers and protecting victims. The report acknowledged the adoption of a new National Action Plan and enhanced training for first responders but emphasized that the country has yet to secure a single conviction under its 2010 Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act. In 2024, authorities investigated 13 suspects across nine cases, a notable decline from the previous year’s 26 suspects in 25 cases. Despite these investigations, no prosecutions were initiated, and no convictions were made. Observers pointed to systemic issues such as weak investigative capacity, corruption within the legal system, and inadequate witness protection as key barriers to justice. Additionally, the government has struggled with victim identification, failing to formally confirm any trafficking victims since 2019. While awareness campaigns have expanded to include multiple languages, overall funding for anti-trafficking initiatives has decreased. Efforts to review contracts of Cuban government-affiliated workers have been initiated, but oversight of Chinese-linked labor projects remains limited. The Tier 2 designation reflects Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing efforts but underscores the need for substantial improvements to meet international standards.

A recent U.S. report has shed light on the precarious conditions faced by foreign workers in Antigua and Barbuda, particularly those associated with Chinese and Cuban government-affiliated programs. The 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, released by the U.S. State Department, underscores ongoing vulnerabilities despite the country’s placement on the Tier 2 watch list for human trafficking. While the government has intensified efforts to combat exploitation, significant gaps remain in safeguarding foreign laborers. The report highlights that approximately 72 Cuban medical professionals working in the country under a state-to-state agreement may be subjected to forced labor conditions imposed by the Cuban regime. Similarly, Chinese nationals employed in construction projects linked to state-affiliated programs are at risk of exploitation. Authorities have initiated contract reviews to ensure Cuban workers receive their full wages, but oversight of Chinese-affiliated projects remains insufficient. Despite implementing a 2025 National Action Plan and conducting anti-trafficking training, the government has yet to secure any trafficking convictions. Systemic issues such as weak investigative capacity, inadequate witness protection, and legal corruption perpetuate an environment of impunity. Although nearly $99,000 was allocated to anti-trafficking initiatives, including multilingual media campaigns, observers argue that systemic failures continue to leave foreign workers exposed to abuse.

The Antigua and Barbuda Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) has decided to retain its current executive leadership following the absence of new nominations before the September 12 deadline. This decision was formally ratified during the union’s 86th Annual Delegates’ Conference, where a resolution confirming the continuation of the last lawfully elected team was unanimously supported by delegates. The conference also marked a significant announcement: General Secretary Alrick Daniel declared he would not seek re-election, signaling a potential shift in the union’s administrative dynamics. In his presidential address, AT&LU President Bernard de Nully underscored the theme, ‘The Unity of Labour Is the Salvation of Our Country,’ emphasizing solidarity and reflecting on the union’s 86-year legacy. De Nully also proposed the establishment of an AT&LU Credit Union, aimed at enhancing members’ financial security through savings initiatives. The union hailed this year’s conference as a ‘resounding success,’ meeting the expectations of both leadership and members. The event highlighted the union’s commitment to unity, financial empowerment, and strategic growth.

The Environmental Awareness Group (EAG), Antigua and Barbuda’s premier environmental non-governmental organization, has announced the appointment of Dr. Mareba M. Scott as its new Executive Director. Founded in 1989, the EAG has earned international acclaim for its groundbreaking conservation initiatives, most notably the restoration of Redonda Island, which transformed a desolate, eroded terrain into a flourishing wildlife sanctuary. This project is celebrated as one of the most successful island restoration efforts globally. Dr. Scott, a seasoned sustainability leader with extensive expertise in Caribbean environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and program management, steps into her role with a clear vision to expand the EAG’s global partnerships, enhance fundraising capabilities, and scale transformative projects that benefit both people and wildlife. ‘The EAG has an unparalleled reputation for conservation excellence,’ Dr. Scott remarked. ‘I am deeply honored to lead this incredible organization as we build on its legacy of impact.’ The EAG Board of Directors expressed unanimous enthusiasm for Dr. Scott’s appointment, with President Jermaine Jarvis highlighting her proven ability to engage partners and mobilize resources. Dr. Scott’s prior roles include serving as a Director on the Board of the CARICOM Climate Change Centre, Governing Council Member of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, and Co-Chair of the Caribbean Blue Flag Programme. Over the past two decades, she has successfully managed multi-million-dollar project portfolios, fostering high-level donor relationships to support tourism, disaster risk management, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods across the Caribbean. As Executive Director, Dr. Scott will oversee the EAG’s six core program areas: strategic management, human resources, fundraising, partnership and donor management, operations and financial management, and technical program oversight. Central to her role will be continuing the EAG’s tradition of collaboration with donors, government agencies, NGOs, communities, educators, and the public while expanding its international influence. The EAG remains committed to its mission of protecting and preserving Antigua and Barbuda’s natural heritage. With Dr. Scott at the helm, the organization is poised to deepen its impact, championing conservation, empowering communities, and safeguarding the well-being of both people and wildlife. The future holds immense promise for growth, collaboration, and lasting change, ensuring a thriving legacy for generations to come.