A/HRC/53/5
Introduction
1.
The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with
Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its forty-second session from 23 January to
3 February 2023. The review of Argentina was held at the 2nd meeting, on 23 January 2023.
The delegation of Argentina was headed by the Secretary for Human Rights, Horacio
Pietragalla Corti. At its 10th meeting, held on 27 January 2023, the Working Group adopted
the report on Argentina.
2.
On 11 January 2023, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of
rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Argentina: Bolivia (Plurinational State of),
China and Gabon.
3.
In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution
5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were
issued for the review of Argentina:
(a)
A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with
paragraph 15 (a);1
(b)
A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b);2
(c)
A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c).3
4.
A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Bolivia (Plurinational State of),
Germany, Panama, Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national mechanisms for
implementation, reporting and follow-up, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to
Argentina through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal
periodic review.
I.
Summary of the proceedings of the review process
A.
Presentation by the State under review
5.
The head of the delegation said that the national report was the result of an inclusive
process, at the federal and provincial levels, involving a consultative mechanism that allowed
for the participation of civil society organizations.
6.
On 10 December 2019, a new national Government had taken office, and it had
expressed its firm commitment to strengthening the country’s institutions and guaranteeing
the full enjoyment of human rights. The current President had affirmed in his earliest public
statements that the defence of human rights would be the cornerstone of the policies to be
adopted in the country.
7.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis had worsened the economic and social
emergency that Argentina was facing as a legacy of the former Government. The new
Government had made great efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, while at the same
time initiating a process to address the challenge of the extraordinary level of external debt,
while prioritizing the improvement of the quality of life of the population.
8.
Argentina was facing challenges in addressing the implications of hate speech on its
democratic coexistence, which had become more visible in recent times. The situation had
been aggravated by the regrettable events of the previous few months, which had culminated
in the attempted assassination of the current Vice-President, and twice former President,
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. The issue required reflection and action by the international
community, as hate speech and attacks, such as that seen recently in Brazil, eroded basic
1
2
3
2
A/HRC/WG.6/42/ARG/1.
A/HRC/WG.6/42/ARG/2.
A/HRC/WG.6/42/ARG/3.
GE.23-03427