TNAG-2156-FCO40-3076-International-Covenant-on-Civil-and-Political-Rights-(ICCPR)-1990 — Page 109

1. General

1. The way in which the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights are given effect in Gibraltar remains as stated in the initial report.

2.

Information relating to articles in parts I, II and III of the Covenant

2. The following information is supplementary to that provided in the first and second reports of the United Kingdom on Gibraltar and given by the United Kingdom delegation at the meetings of the Human Rights Committee which discussed these reports. Articles in relation to which no new legislative or administrative developments have occurred are not included in this report. Inclusion of particular points does not necessarily mean that the United Kingdom considers that they fall within the scope of particular articles of the Covenant.

Article 3

3. At the time of the second periodic report, an ordinance to render unlawful certain kinds of sex discrimination and discrimination on the grounds of marriage was before the House of Assembly for consideration. The proposals contained therein were intended to enable Gibraltar to implement principles of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions. The bill was based on part of the United Kingdom Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

The bill was not in fact proceeded with and, as a result of further deliberations, it was decided to amend and add to the existing employment legislation. An ordinance to that effect was enacted in 1989 (the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 1989).

4.

Article 7

On 8 December 1988, the United Kingdom ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The ratification was extended to Gibraltar.

5.

Article 17

6.

At the meeting to discuss the United Kingdom's second report on its dependent territories, it was asked what kind of personal data could be stored on computers and who could hold such information (CCPR/C/SR.857, para. 31). At present, there is no legislation in Gibraltar relating to data protection and there is none under consideration at this time. The reason for this is that the use of computers in Gibraltar for storing information about individuals is still very much in its infancy. The Gibraltar Government has it in mind to computerize some of its records, e.g. PAYE (Pay-as-you-earn) and Housing, but as yet steps have not been taken to implement these proposals. If and when the use of computers becomes widespread, the appropriate legislation to protect the rights of individuals would be introduced.