Grenada Faces International Pressure to Amend its Criminal Code

Grenada is facing international pressure to amend its Criminal Code to legalise abortion under all circumstances, following a wide-ranging review of its human rights record during the 2025 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) conducted earlier this week in Geneva.

The push to legalise abortion was among 171 recommendations made to the Caribbean nation, with Iceland taking a leading role in advocating for significant reforms. Under Section 234 of Grenada’s Criminal Code, “whoever intentionally and unlawfully causes abortion, or miscarriage shall be liable to imprisonment for ten years.” Repealing this section is one of six recommendations made by Iceland.

Other recommendations from the Icelandic representative include abolishing the death penalty; signing and ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and adopting a reproductive health policy that ensures impactful, sustainable, and equitable action on reproductive rights.

Recommendations for Reform

Iceland also called for the elimination of barriers to justice for survivors of gender-based violence, including the need for third-party corroboration in sexual violence cases. In addition, it urged Grenada to provide comprehensive sexual education in schools, decriminalise same-sex relations between consenting adults by repealing Articles 430 and 431 of the Criminal Code, and produce comprehensive, updated anti-discrimination laws.

The United Kingdom echoed calls for legal reforms related to sexual orientation and gender identity. It recommended that Grenada repeal discriminatory provisions in the Sexual Offences Act and the Criminal Code, and also called on the country to ratify and implement the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (OP-CEDAW).

Italy recommended the adoption of an effective legal framework to protect women from all forms of discrimination and violence, while Latvia encouraged Grenada to take all appropriate measures to eradicate discrimination and combat violence against women.

Nepal recommended that the island step up efforts to reduce gender-based violence and ensure victims have access to justice. The Kingdom of the Netherlands urged the strengthening of national laws to tackle domestic violence, gender inequalities, and all forms of discrimination against women.

Meanwhile, Peru and the Philippines called on Grenada to continue developing measures that fully implement national legislation to end violence against women. They also urged the government to strengthen actions to combat gender-based violence against women and children, including instituting criminal penalties for sexual harassment, improving access to justice, and ensuring the speedy resolution of gender-based violence cases.

Expected Response from Grenada’s Government

Grenada’s government is expected to respond to the recommendations and outline which measures it intends to adopt ahead of the final UPR report.

Conclusion

The 2025 Universal Periodic Review has brought attention to Grenada’s human rights record, with a focus on reforming its laws to protect the rights of women, children, and marginalized groups. The international community is watching closely to see how Grenada will respond to these recommendations and implement meaningful changes to its laws and policies.