Barbados is a democracy that regularly holds competitive elections and upholds civil liberties. Challenges include a lack of government transparency and oversight, discrimination against LGBT+ people, violent crime, and poverty.

• In February, House of Assembly member Ralph Thorne left the ruling Barbados Labour Party and joined the Democratic Labour Party, becoming the first and only opposition member in the chamber since the 2022 elections; Thorne also became leader of the opposition, an important constitutional position that had remained vacant for two years. In conjunction with that role, he assumed the vacant chairmanship of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, and announced in June that the reactivated panel would scrutinize government spending on housing projects and a sports stadium.
• Separately in February, the government of Prime Minister Mia Mottley won the lower house’s approval for a controversial Cybercrime Bill, which was meant to address offenses such as online stalking and hacking. Human rights groups and opposition critics warned that the bill could lead to privacy violations by empowering authorities to access data and devices, and that freedom of expression and journalistic activity were threatened by its vague bans on the dissemination of “offensive” material or content that causes annoyance, inconvenience, embarrassment, or anxiety. Penalties under the bill, which was under review by the Senate at year’s end, included fines of US$35,000 and up to seven years in prison.
• The Constitutional Reform Commission, a body of legal experts and civil society leaders that began its work in 2022, delivered its recommendations to President Sandra Mason in September. Among other proposed changes that were set for review by Parliament, the commission called for additions to the constitution’s list of fundamental rights and freedoms, curbs on the prime minister’s power to appoint judges, an increase in the number of senators nominated by the opposition, gender-parity protections for the Senate, the creation of a human rights commission, and the inclusion of a binding code of conduct for ministers.
• The number of homicides surged during the year, reaching at least 49, compared with 21 in 2023. Much of the increase was driven by a broader rise in gun-related crimes. In response, the Mottley government in July secured passage of legislation that would prevent those charged with murder or firearm offenses from receiving bail in most circumstances, placing the burden on the accused to make the case for an exception.
• In August, the Employment Rights Tribunal dismissed a complaint brought by a transgender woman who said she was fired from her post as a clerical officer at a Barbados legal firm due to gender discrimination. The tribunal found that transgender people are not recognized as such under the laws of Barbados, and recommended that Parliament consider legislation to address the issue.

This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see last year’s full report.