Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a unicameral, multi-party democracy. The Governor General is head of state, and the Prime Minister is head of government. The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Of the 21 seats in the House of Assembly, 15 are elected and 6 are appointed as Senators to serve 5-year terms.

In 2005 the Unity Labour Party (ULP) was re-elected on the basis of universal suffrage in elections deemed free and fair by observers. The results in 3 constituencies were challenged by the opposition. A local human rights organisation also reported irregularities and criticised observers for the limited period of time that observer missions were in the country since they did not stay until all votes were counted. The ULP gained a majority of 12 seats. There are 2 women in Parliament and 3 in the Cabinet. The judiciary is independent in law and in practice.

Discrimination on the basis of race or gender is prohibited, and the law is enforced.

A human rights group reports that a high percentage of convictions are based on confessions and that these confessions result from the use of physical force, illegal search and seizure and failure to properly inform those arrested of their rights. The Rastafarian community complains they are targeted by law enforcement. A national anti-corruption plan is in place, but corruption is reported as a problem.

Access to information is provided in law and in practice. Freedom of speech and of the press are guaranteed. The media are independent and express diverse views without restriction. Internet access is not prohibited.

An increase in HIV/AIDS is reported. Education programmes have been started in prisons.

Primary education is compulsory, free and universal. In 2005, secondary education became universal. School dropouts are monitored if they leave school before age 16. A Youth Empowerment Programme is essentially an apprenticeship programme for young people interested in learning a trade. Some 500 youths are enrolled, earning a stipend of US$148 (EC$400) a month; private sector employers provide additional payments in some cases.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child reports that children known to be infected with HIV/AIDS are discriminated against in schools. The Committee is also concerned that corporal punishment is practised in schools, in the justice system and within the family and recommends that the government enact legislation to prohibit its use.

A 2-year programme begins at age 3. All education at this level is private. The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is 86%. All 338 teachers working at this level are women. The pupil/teacher ratio (PTR) is 11 : 1.

Education is compulsory for ages 5 to 15. Primary school begins at age 5 and continues for 7 years. The NER is 94% (48% female). Of students who enrol in Grade 1, 79% reach the last grade of primary school. 6% of students repeat grades. 1,005 teachers (73% female) work at this level, and 72% of them are trained. The PTR is 17 : 1.

Secondary education begins at age 12 and is completed in 5 years. 23% of students in lower secondary education study in technical vocational programmes. The NER is 62%. 10% of students repeat grades. There are 515 secondary teachers, 376 (57% female) in lower secondary schools and 139 (58% female) in upper secondary. 42% of secondary teachers are trained. The PTR is 20 : 1 in secondary schools.

544 students study overseas, mainly in the USA (183), Cuba (136), the United Kingdom (77), Trinidad and Tobago (72) and Jamaica (43).

Children with disabilities are reported to face discrimination due to an absence of specific legislation providing appropriate facilities and effective policies and programmes to integrate them into schools. A school for persons with disabilities consists of a small rehabilitation centre for half a dozen people; a number of classes are also provided. Most persons with severe disabilities rarely leave home because of a lack of necessary support.

The country is a signatory of the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its related 1967 Protocol, but no system has been established for protection to refugees. Victims of Hurricane Ivan stayed in the country until they could return home.

The UN Committee on Racial Discrimination notes human rights reports that claim discrimination against Amerindians and Asians. The Committee noted these groups are over-represented at the lower-income levels of the economy and that members of some minorities consider they are discriminated against by the majority. The Committee on the Rights of the Child urged the government to ensure the full implementation of non-discrimination provisions, giving special attention to children infected, or affected, by HIV/AIDS, to children with disabilities and to racial discrimination.

Reports do not indicate any restrictions or violations of academic freedom.

Women have equal rights with men to inherit or share property and in family law. They are entitled to equal pay for work of equal value, but in practice salaries for women are lower on average than for men. Sexual harassment is not prohibited in law, and reports of sexual harassment in the workplace have increased. The difference in the minimum legal age of marriage for girls (15) and boys (16) is discriminatory, and both ages are very low. Violence against women is a problem, and domestic violence goes unpunished.

The minimum age for employment is 16; workers can apply for a national insurance card at age 16. The end of compulsory education is at age 15, and children who leave school at that age are absorbed into the labour market as apprentices. Child labour is reported on family banana plantations at harvest time. The government youth employment service provides training and increased job opportunities; young people are employed in government ministries for up to a year.

Workers have the right to form and join trade unions, though the law does not require employers to recognise unions. Some 10% of the work force is unionised. Collective bargaining is permitted but is uncommon in practice. The right to strike is recognised except for workers in essential services, which include electricity, water, hospital and police services. Forced or compulsory labour is prohibited in law.

Every 2 years the Wages Council reviews the minimum wage and sets minimum wages by sector and type of work. The minimum wage does not provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family, and most workers earn more than minimum wage. The law sets hours of work by category ranging from 40 to 44 hours a week.