Justices Carol Gobin and Frank Seeparsad read through the gender equality protocol handbook during the launch at the Radisson Hotel yesterday. PICTURES NICOLE DRAYTON
New protocol to benefit the LGBTQ
T&T’s LGBTQ community will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Judiciary’s newly launched protocol document.
Speaking at the Judicial Education Institute’s ( JEI) launch of their gender equality protocol yesterday, Justice Judith Jones said one of the biggest concerns raised during consultations on the protocol was treating with LGBTQ matters.
Adjudicators were concerned about conflicts with their religious beliefs.
“The position taken by the committee was this was an issue that we, as a judiciary, had to face full frontally. The reality was that the LGBTQ community existed, were accessing the courts, and were entitled to a fair, unbiased court system as any other litigant,” she said.
“While we could not presume to change a judicial officer’s beliefs or values, nor would we attempt to do so, the protocol realises that by our oath as judicial officers we have all committed to provide justice for all—whether we approve of their lifestyle or not.”
Also speaking at the launch was Chief Justice Ivor Archie, who described the protocol as an educational tool to ensure that all judicial officers are fully aware of the need to be gender sensitive.
“The protocol...is a practical guide that is geared toward fostering and improving gender sensitive adjudication and it provides key and critical instructions to ensure that at each step of the adjudication proceedings—particularly in those types of matters where vulnerable persons may be disadvantaged,” Archie said.
Tonni Ann Brodbar, a representative of the United Nations Women said the protocol would help women trust in the judicial system.
“The court system can be and is so much more and not only do the women and men of Trinidad and Tobago need to know this, the judiciary is determined to make sure it is a lived reality,” she said.
“We’re here today to know that eliminating gender inequalities, such as violence against women, cannot be achieved without trust and faith in our justice system.”
The 87-page document is divided into seven sections and includes historical perspectives on gender, as well as guidelines on gender-sensitive adjudications. It deals with domestic violence, sexual offences, child custody and maintenance, and human trafficking.
Speaking at the Judicial Education Institute’s ( JEI) launch of their gender equality protocol yesterday, Justice Judith Jones said one of the biggest concerns raised during consultations on the protocol was treating with LGBTQ matters.
Adjudicators were concerned about conflicts with their religious beliefs.
“The position taken by the committee was this was an issue that we, as a judiciary, had to face full frontally. The reality was that the LGBTQ community existed, were accessing the courts, and were entitled to a fair, unbiased court system as any other litigant,” she said.
“While we could not presume to change a judicial officer’s beliefs or values, nor would we attempt to do so, the protocol realises that by our oath as judicial officers we have all committed to provide justice for all—whether we approve of their lifestyle or not.”
Also speaking at the launch was Chief Justice Ivor Archie, who described the protocol as an educational tool to ensure that all judicial officers are fully aware of the need to be gender sensitive.
“The protocol...is a practical guide that is geared toward fostering and improving gender sensitive adjudication and it provides key and critical instructions to ensure that at each step of the adjudication proceedings—particularly in those types of matters where vulnerable persons may be disadvantaged,” Archie said.
Tonni Ann Brodbar, a representative of the United Nations Women said the protocol would help women trust in the judicial system.
“The court system can be and is so much more and not only do the women and men of Trinidad and Tobago need to know this, the judiciary is determined to make sure it is a lived reality,” she said.
“We’re here today to know that eliminating gender inequalities, such as violence against women, cannot be achieved without trust and faith in our justice system.”
The 87-page document is divided into seven sections and includes historical perspectives on gender, as well as guidelines on gender-sensitive adjudications. It deals with domestic violence, sexual offences, child custody and maintenance, and human trafficking.