Trinidad and Tobago is set to become the first Caribbean country to pass legislation specifically aimed at protecting victims of crime and enshrining their rights in law.

The move comes as the Victims’ Rights Bill, 2026 was piloted in the Senate on Wednesday by Justice Minister Devesh Maharaj, who said the legislation represents a paradigm shift in how victims are treated within the justice system.

Speaking during the second reading of the Bill, he explained that key stakeholders will now be legally required to inform victims about the services available to them and keep them updated on legal proceedings against the accused, including bail applications.