Saint Kitts and Nevis is a democratic federation. The smaller island of Nevis has virtual self-government, with its own Premier and legislature and with the right to secede from the federation. Elections in 2004, held on the basis of universal suffrage and secret ballot, resulted in the Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) forming the government by gaining 7 of the 11 seats in the legislature. Observers noted that election was flawed by vote fraud, intimidation and foreign influence.

The Governor General, as head of state, appoints 3 Senators, 2 on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and 1 recommended by the leader of the opposition. 2 women serve in Parliament, but none is in Cabinet; In Nevis, 1 Cabinet Minister and the President of the House of Assembly are women. The judiciary is independent in law and in practice.

Discrimination on the basis of race, place of origin, birth out of wedlock, political opinion or affiliation, colour, gender or creed is prohibited, and the law is enforced, but some discrimination is reported.

A court can order the lash as part of a sentence, and corporal punishment is legal. Allegations of corruption in government are cited.

The economy was dependent on sugar cane, but tourism and the financial services market have been promoted. A state corporation owns the sugar industry and 85% of arable land. Access to information is not provided in law, but a government web site provides some information. Freedom of speech and of the press are provided in law. Internet access is not restricted.

Trafficking in persons is not dealt with in law but does not appear to be a problem.

Education is compulsory, free and universal up to age 16. More than 98% of children complete secondary school.

A 2-year programme begins at age 3. At this level, 61% of education is private. The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is 83%. Of the 278 teachers working at this level, all are women and 46% are trained. The pupil/teacher ratio (PTR) is 7 : 1.

Education is compulsory for ages 5 to 16. Primary school begins at age 5 and continues for 7 years. 16% of education at this level is private. The NER is 94% (50% female). There are 367 primary teachers (85% female), and 55% are trained. The PTR is 17 : 1.

Secondary education begins at age 12 and is completed in 5 years. At this level 3% of education is private. The NER is 98%. 3% of students repeat grades. There are 421 secondary teachers, 282 (59% female) in lower secondary school and 139 (60% female) in upper secondary. 35% of secondary teachers are trained. The PTR is 11 : 1 in lower secondary and 11 : 1 in upper secondary education.

340 students study abroad, mainly in the USA (167), Cuba (65), Jamaica (30), the United Kingdom (27) and Canada (22).

Discrimination against persons with disabilities is not dealt with in legislation. Reports do not cite discrimination against persons with disabilities in education or in other state services.

The country is a signatory of the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees but has not established a system for providing protection to refugees or asylum-seekers.

Rastafarian children are now allowed to have long hair in school. They state that their members are victims of social discrimination, especially in hiring. There are also British, Indian and Pakistani minorities.

Reports do not cite either restrictions or violations of academic freedom.

Culture and tradition restrict the role of women. While women are active in the work force, they tend to have fewer senior positions than do men. Violence against women is a problem. Reluctance to file complaints or seek justice through the courts is noted. Sexual harassment is not addressed in law. The age of consent is 16 years.

Children work in agriculture and in domestic service and assist with family subsistence farming. Girls are often engaged in domestic service. Children often care for siblings at the expense of their schooling and they work as domestic servants or babysitters. Forced labour is prohibited, and the law is enforced.

Workers have the right to form and join trade unions, except police and civil servants, who can form associations that serve as unions. About 10% of the work force is unionised. The Saint Kitts Trades and Labour Union (SKTLU) is associated with the Labour Party. Anti-union discrimination is prohibited, but employers do not have to rehire employees fired for union activities. Collective bargaining is permitted, and negotiations take place on wages and benefits. The right to strike is not specified in law, but strikes take place without retribution. Essential services workers have restrictions on strike action.

Forced or compulsory labour is illegal, and reports do not cite such practices. Prisoners sentenced to more than 30 days of hard labour are required to work for a stipend paid when they are discharged. Minimum wage rates have not been updated since 1994. The minimum wage for domestic workers is US$56 (EC$150) a week and US$74 (EC$200) for skilled workers. Average wages are higher in all categories of work since unions negotiate wage rates. The minimum wage does not provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family in any category. The standard work week is 40 to 44 hours in 5 days.