A/HRC/48/10
19.
However, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenging geography and
demography became rather an advantage. Greenland had only seen 32 cases of COVID-19
with no fatalities. The Government exercised tight control on arrivals into Greenland and
allowed only essential travel. Other pandemic-related measures taken by the Government had
also been temporary and were adopted on the basis of the law, with a view to protecting
public health. The Government provided the most vulnerable people and businesses with
support packages to prevent the lay-off of employees.
20.
The Danish Institute for Human Rights together with the Human Rights Council of
Greenland recommended that Greenland adopt legislative measures to ensure protection
against discrimination, including by establishing an independent appeals board. The
Constitution of Denmark guaranteed all citizens of Greenland protection against
discrimination on any grounds. There were also laws on the prohibition of racial
discrimination and on the equality of men and women, and an Act on persons with
disabilities, including anti-discrimination provisions. Individuals who were subject to
discrimination could initiate court proceedings.
21.
The Council of Gender Equality of Greenland had the authority to investigate cases
related to gender equality on the basis of complaints it received or on its own initiative. The
Parliamentary Ombudsman of Greenland had a mandate to receive and investigate
complaints against discriminatory actions or decisions of the authorities.
22.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child served as a foundation and provided
guidance for the efforts of Greenland to combat violence against children and prevent cases
of child neglect. Greenland had been implementing three action plans on the rights of the
child, which included measures to ensure the well-being of families with children and to
reduce child neglect. In the period 2020–2023, necessary financial resources had been
ensured for 16 initiatives of Greenlandic-Danish cross-sectoral cooperation in this area.
23.
The new Government of Greenland gave the utmost priority to ensuring equality and
welfare for all, including through its efforts to enhance the welfare of children and young
persons. The Government established a separate Ministry for Children, Youth and Family to
ensure the realization of the rights of the child.
24.
The well-being and the enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities, older
persons and homeless persons were among the other priorities of the Government of
Greenland.
B.
Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review
25.
During the interactive dialogue, 112 delegations made statements. Recommendations
made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.
26.
Statements were made by Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia,
Nepal, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, the Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan,
Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Romania, the
Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia,
South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, the State of Palestine, the Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland,
Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Uruguay,
Uzbekistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Zambia, Afghanistan, Albania,
Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus,
Belgium, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Chile,
China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia, the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji,
Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Haiti, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran
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