Information about the treatment of persons in mixed marriages, specifically between white and black people, was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

In a 2 September 2004 telephone interview, a professor specializing in religion and racial prejudice at Messiah College and currently working on a study of marriage in Trinidad and Tobago noted that while his research did not cover white and black relationships, within the Indo-Trinidadian community, inter-racial marriage was not generally accepted.

While attitudes towards interracial couples of white and black persons were not mentioned in the UN Special Rapporteur's January 2004 report on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago, the report did mention that "[d]espite the widespread racial mingling, it seems that mixed Indian-African couples are subjected to enormous pressure from their families, particularly the Indian families" (UN 8 Jan. 2004, 21). Nevertheless, the UN Special Rapporteur also mentioned that government authorities such as the Ombudsmen and the Police Complaints Authority reported that they had not recorded any complaints about racial discrimination (ibid.). In addition to providing information on race relations, the report also outlines government measures to address issues of racism, as well as efforts in the same regard by civil society organizations (UN 8 Jan. 2004).

Country Reports 2003 stated that while different ethnic and religious groups coexisted harmoniously, "generally respecting one another's beliefs and practices," occasionally racial tensions emerged between Afro- and Indo-Trinidadians (25 Feb. 2004, Sec. 5).

With regard to legislation, the International Religious Freedom Report 2003 noted that "[t]he law prohibits acts that offend or insult another person or group on the grounds of race, origin, or religion, or which incite racial or religious hatred..." (18 Dec. 2003, Sec. 2).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003. 25 February 2004. "Trinidad and Tobago." United States Department of State. Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2003/27921pf.htm [Accessed 27 Aug. 2004]

International Religious Freedom Report 2003. 18 December 2003. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/24523pf.htm [Accessed 31 Aug. 2004]

Professor, Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania. 2 September 2004. Telephone interview.

United Nations (UN). 8 January 2004. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). (E/CN.4/2004/18/Add.1.) Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and All Forms of Discrimination: Mission to Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/e06a5300f90fa0238025668700518ca4/ea5e4e3803879ae9c1256e61003c2c0d/$FILE/G0410124.pdf [Accessed 25 Aug. 2004]

One academic source could not respond within the time constraints of this Response.

The Office of the Ombudsman was unable to provide the information requested.

Publication: Europa World Year Book 2004.

Internet: Amnesty International, CIA World Factbook, Human Rights Internet, Human Rights Watch, Latin America Weekly Report: Caribbean and Central America [London], Trinicenter.com, Trinidad and Tobago Express [Port of Spain], World News Connection/Dialog.