This update covers developments relating to the freedoms of expression, association and assembly in Saint Kitts and Nevis from October 2025 to August 2026.
Context
UPR recommendations call for stronger protections for civic freedoms
On 1st July 2026, the UN Human Rights Council adopted Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Universal Periodic Review (UPR) outcome, a peer-review process through which UN member states assess each country’s human rights record. Several states raised concerns about civic space, including freedom of expression, access to information, and participation in environmental decision-making. The review produced over 150 recommendations, including calls to establish an independent national human rights institution, in accordance with the Paris Principles.
Other recommendations also called on authorities to review legislation governing freedom of expression and media freedom, including defamation laws, to bring it into line with international human rights standards. They also urged the government to strengthen implementation of the Freedom of Information Act by raising public awareness of the right to information and improving public authorities’ responses to information requests.
The review also addressed environmental rights and public participation. The government highlighted its implementation of the Escazú Agreement, a regional treaty on access to environmental information, public participation and justice in environmental matters, and its hosting of a regional forum on environmental human rights defenders. Recommendations called on the authorities to guarantee access to environmental information, ensure meaningful public participation and protect environmental human rights defenders, particularly in decisions concerning coastal and tourism projects.
Saint Kitts and Nevis receives first transferees under controversial US arrangement
On 19th May 2026, the government of Saint Kitts and Nevis stated that it had received the first three nationals from Jamaica and Belize, transferred from the United States under a bilateral agreement for the transfer of third-country nationals. The government said the authorities would process them under national immigration and security procedures and grant them the status and legal arrangements normally available to nationals of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
The transfers followed a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Removal of Third Country Nationals, which Saint Kitts and Nevis and the United States signed on 12th December 2025. The US State Department lists the memorandum as a qualifying non-binding instrument rather than a treaty. When the government announced the arrangement in January 2026, it said Saint Kitts and Nevis retained discretion to accept or reject each proposed transfer. It also said the arrangement excluded people convicted of violent or sexual offences and required the United States to cover transport, housing and subsistence costs.
The transfers nevertheless raised concerns about access to refugee protection, legal remedies and safeguards against refoulement, and the return of a person to a place where they face specified serious harm. Third Country Deportation Watch, a joint initiative of Human Rights First and Refugees International, reported that US authorities transferred one of the Jamaican men before his lawyer could file an application seeking to halt his removal.
Saint Kitts and Nevis has no domestic refugee legislation or formal national asylum procedure. The country acceded to the 1951 Refugee Convention in 2002, but not to the 1967 Protocol. Instead, “when individuals expressing a fear of return are identified, their claims are referred to UNHCR’s Honorary Liaison in Saint Kitts and Nevis and adjudicated by the regional office in Washington under UNHCR’s mandate.”
Association
Government adopts road map for the Escazú Agreement implementation
On 9th April 2026, Saint Kitts and Nevis and the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) published a national roadmap for implementing the Escazú Agreement, the regional treaty that protects access to environmental information, participation in environmental decision-making, and environmental justice.
The roadmap assesses existing laws, policies and practices in Saint Kitts and Nevis, identifying progress and remaining gaps in implementing the agreement. It also sets out priority actions, an inter-institutional coordination mechanism and measures to strengthen access to information and public participation.
Government advances implementation of legal recognition for Rastafari associations
On 2nd April 2026, the government announced that application forms were available to the public for registrations, permits and licences under the Rastafari Rights Recognition Act 2023 and the Freedom of Conscience (Cannabis) Act 2023. The measure advanced implementation of legislation adopted in 2023 and made it possible for Rastafari communities to use the statutory procedures for registering their organisations and places of assembly.
The Rastafari Rights Recognition Act 2023 establishes a formal legal framework for Rastafari groups to register with the Ministry responsible for faith-based affairs and to register places where their members gather to practise the tenets of Rastafari. The law defines a Rastafari group as “[…] a tribe, community, order or other group of citizens or lawful residents of Saint Christopher and Nevis who believe in the Rastafari movement and adhere to Rastafari principles and practices.” Registered groups may also seek specified licensing, tax and other concessions.
Civil society invited to participate in review of sustainability zones legislation
On 15th December 2025, Prime Minister Terrance Drew established an ad hoc Advisory Committee to review the Special Sustainability Zones Authorisation Act 2025, following concerns raised during national roundtable discussions in November 2025. Adopted in August 2025, the Act creates a legal framework for establishing designated geographical areas, known as Special Sustainability Zones, through development agreements between the government and private developers. These agreements can set development conditions, investment incentives and concessions and, subject to legislative approval in specified cases, arrangements concerning zone governance, development approvals and the application of laws within a zone. Any agreement concerning a zone in Nevis also requires the approval of the Nevis Island Administration.
The committee will examine the Act and its potential implementation and recommend amendments, procedural changes or additional safeguards. The government said the review would draw on regional and international good practice and that the committee would submit its findings to the Federal Cabinet, the country's executive decision-making body.
The authorities invited representatives from civil society, professional bodies and other stakeholder groups to participate, including the Saint Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, Organisation of Rastafari in Unity, Saint Kitts and Nevis Bar Association and Saint Christopher National Trust, as well as religious organisations and business and professional associations. The government also invited written submissions from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the OECS Bar Association and the Caribbean Development Bank.
Peaceful Assembly
Woman stages peaceful protest over high electricity bills in Nevis
On 26th August 2026, a woman identified as Risha held a one-person peaceful protest outside the Nevis Electricity Company (NEVLEC), the island’s electricity provider, calling for relief from high electricity bills. Risha said high electricity costs were forcing some households to choose between paying their bills and buying food. She said residents had faced high charges for several months and criticised what she described as a lack of measures by the authorities to ease the financial burden.
And before they did anything, they doubled down, and now the electricity is going to raise again. People need to stand up against this. This is a war against poor people.
- Risha.
Workers march through Basseterre to mark Labour Day
On 4th May 2026, workers, supporters of the organised Labour Movement and members of the St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) joined a Labour Day march through Basseterre, the capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis, to commemorate workers’ contributions and the country’s labour movement history.
The march began at the Patsy Allers Playing Field and continued through the capital under the theme “Labour Strong, United in Purpose, Committed to Progress.” Political leaders, party supporters and members of the wider public took part, accompanied by local musical performers.
Prime Minister Terrance Drew, who joined the march, said that although the Labour Movement had traditionally led Labour Day commemorations, the occasion was intended to recognise all workers. He linked the event to workers’ contributions and the promotion of labour rights and dignity.
Protesters defend beach access and local businesses amid tourism expansion
In late March 2026, campaigners held a “Save Our Beaches” protest march over plans affecting South Friars Bay, a popular beach area on Saint Kitts. Protesters raised concerns about public beach access, the displacement of local businesses and the impact of tourism development, arguing that the operators were being removed to make way for foreign-backed investment. The protest took place amid a long-running dispute between the government and three locally owned businesses.
The dispute had escalated earlier that month after the government ordered the three businesses to leave their beachfront locations by 7th April 2026. Authorities said they had first notified the operators in November 2025 that the land was required for a major tourism development and that the businesses had no lawful right to remain on Crown or privately owned land without permission. The government said it had offered them alternative locations at the Frigate Bay Strip and Cockleshell Bay, as well as relocation assistance.
Students and community members march for Down syndrome awareness
On 20th March 2026, students, teachers and community members joined an annual march organised by the Cotton-Thomas Comprehensive School in Basseterre to raise awareness of Down syndrome and the rights of people with disabilities.
Held under the theme “Mirror! Mirror! on the Wall, Extra Chromosome, Extra Love”, the march sought to promote inclusion, challenge barriers to participation and increase public awareness of the rights and capabilities of people with Down syndrome.
Farmers protest unresolved grievances during Agriculture Open Day
On 2nd October 2025, a small group of farmers protested outside the Agriculture Open Day and Marine Expo, a major national event bringing together farmers, fishers, agricultural businesses and government agencies, along Kim Collins Highway in Saint Kitts. Video reporting by SKN Newsline showed protesters holding placards and chanting near the event venue. The farmers said they aimed to draw attention to longstanding concerns that they believed the authorities had not adequately addressed. Some media outlets characterised it as politically influenced by the opposition.
Expression
Nevis civil society seeks disclosure of Destiny development agreement
On 11th February 2026, a coalition of Nevis civil society organisations formally asked Prime Minister Terrance Drew to disclose the proposed Destiny Special Sustainability Zone Development Agreement, arguing that access to the document was necessary for informed public participation in decisions with potentially significant implications for Nevis. The Nevis Civil Society Coalition included representatives of the Nevis Community Foundation, Nevis Historical & Conservation Society, Nevis Hotel Association and Montpelier Hotel.
The request came amid a wider public debate over the proposed Special Sustainability Zone. The Nevis Island Administration had already held consultations with businesses, religious organisations, political representatives and other groups, while Premier Mark Brantley had said that the Development Agreement would eventually be disclosed and submitted for parliamentary approval.
On 19th February 2026, the federal government announced that it had established an Independent Oversight Body under the Special Sustainability Zones Authorisation Act 2025 to review the Destiny application, including its environmental, fiscal, governance and constitutional implications. The government said that if the proposal advanced, the full Development Agreement would have to form part of legislation approved by both the Nevis Island Assembly and the National Assembly, and would therefore become public before parliamentary debate.
Press freedom broadly respected amid challenges to media sustainability
On 3rd May 2026, marking World Press Freedom Day, the Media Association of St. Kitts and Nevis (MASKN), which represents media professionals in the country, affirmed that press freedom was generally respected, while warning that past incidents showed that these protections could not be taken for granted. Notably, MASKN highlighted growing pressures on the sustainability of local media outlets, including technological change, the expansion of artificial intelligence, the growth of social media accounts operating as news sources and the spread of AI-generated misinformation.
The association said it had been consulting journalists and other media stakeholders to identify challenges facing the sector and consider ways to strengthen the sustainability, professionalism and independence of journalism. It stressed that journalists should be able to work independently and “without fear or favour”.