CCPR/C/58/Add.6 page 142
servants, with the concurrence of the Governor, the right to stand for election. The voting age has been lowered to 18 and the Attorney-General has been given exclusive control over all prosecutions before the courts.
7. As a result of one of Mr. Wallace's recommendations, a Commission of Inquiry was set up in April 1988 to review the present division of St. Helena into electoral areas. The report of the Commission was accepted by the Governor and the Island has now been subdivided into 10 electoral areas instead of the previous 12.
8.
Articles 2 and 3
Other than as stated in the first report, there are no distinctions such as those stated in these articles of the Covenant. The right to vote in Legislative Council elections is given to all British subjects over the age of 18 years subject to:
9.
(a)
(b)
In the case of "Islanders", 12 months' residence;
In the case of "non-islanders", two years' residence.
The law provides civil remedies or criminal sanctions in respect of the violation of individual rights. There are no restrictions on a person's right of recourse to the courts, but the community is so small that there are no qualified lawyers in private practice. Since the first report, a Lay Advocates and Legal Assistance Scheme has been established to enable unqualified laymen to represent and advise, free of charge, members of the community. The code of conduct of such lay advocates is regulated by the Law Advocates and Legal Assistance Ordinance, 1986. Finances are provided under a Trust Fund established by the St. Helena Government.
Article 4
10. There has been no occasion for any derogation under this article to be made in respect of St. Helena.
11.
Article 7
The situation in St. Helena is exactly as it is in the United Kingdom. There are neither the facilities nor the intention to carry out medical or scientific experimentation in St. Helena.
12. On 8 December 1988, the United Kingdom ratified the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. ratification was extended to St. Helena.
The
Article 8
13. There is no slavery or servitude, nor any forced or compulsory labour as described in the article on St. Helena. With regard to the first report, community service orders are now possible in St. Helena. However, they are in accordance with paragraph 3 (c) of the article.
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