UPR Info

Bahrain will examine the possibility of issuing an annual or a periodic national report on the human rights situation on the ground.

Bahrain is committed to establishing a national human rights institution at the earliest opportunity, bearing in mind the relevant United Nations resolutions and, in particular, the Paris Principles. In fact, in November 2007, the Cabinet issued a decision on the establishment of a national human rights institution. Once the institution has been established, it is expected to design a national action plan for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Kingdom.

In recognition of the importance of the special procedures and the mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, Bahrain pledges to: - Respond in a timely manner to requests for official visits from special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts and working groups. It will develop effective policies and mechanisms to respond to these requests.

Law enforcement agencies will increase the number of training courses and workshops that they run on the protection and promotion of human rights.

Awareness-raising and support for the full participation of civil society, beginning with follow-up to the consideration of Bahrain's report in April 2008.

Bahrain is currently examining the idea of creating an inter-ministerial human rights mechanism to guarantee the implementation of the recommendations made by the international treaty bodies to which Bahrain reports.

Bahrain is determined to strengthen its capacities in order to ensure: Timely submission of reports under these treaties [under the international human rights treaties which it has ratified and signed].

Submission of a report, during the next review, on the fulfilment of existing voluntary pledges.

Conduct a study on the feasibility of inviting officials of the special procedures system for consultations and discussions.

Poland will continue to combat and counteract racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and hate crimes. Although these phenomena are not common in Poland, the Government is nevertheless determined to implement a wide catalogue of preventive measures of an institutional, legal and educational nature. Poland will continue implementing and evaluating its Programme for the Roma community, the National Programme against Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance 2004-2009, and the law enforcement officer programme for combating hate crimes. Moreover, the existing network of Human Rights Advisers attached to the Police Commander-in-Chief and Voivodship Police Commanders-in-Chief will conduct ongoing monitoring of incidents, trends and crimes related to discrimination and misconduct of law enforcement authorities. They will also make analyses and elaborate proposals on the improvement of the quality and methods of the work of the law enforcement. It is also planned to create the institution of Human Rights Advisers attached to the Border Guard

Approval of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol

Submit to Parliament for ratification at the earliest opportunity the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and to transpose in 2008 the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

In order to strengthen implementation of its obligations under human rights treaties, Bahrain will explore the possibility of creating a working group made up of government ministries with competence for human rights to carry out coordination and follow-up activities.

To inform CNCDH, as often as possible in advance, of the preparation of draft laws where the Commission could usefully play its role of providing advice on all matters relating to its area of competence

Ongoing cooperation with OHCHR for the investigation, dissemination and respond to complaints put forward to special mechanisms and procedures with regard to alleged violations of human rights in the country, to present, co-sponsor and support according to the need, draft resolutions which condemn practices that are systematic violations of human rights in any part of the world, to maintain an open and ongoing invitation for cooperation with the special procedures and mechanisms, both from the United Nations system and the Inter-American system, so that they can come and see in situ what the human rights situation is in the country, to support the adoption of new instruments for protecting and promoting human rights internationally

The Government will furthermore support and strengthen national capacities in implementing its human rights obligations, including those of the police, law enforcement personnel, prison and security officers, the media, non-governmental organizations and development actors.

Tunisia's commitment to objectively and constructively contribute, at the level of examination and follow-up to its report, to promoting the UPR mechanism's modalities and objectives, as contained in General Assembly resolution 60/251, which includes "ensuring universality, objectivity and non-selectivity in the consideration of human rights issues" and making sure that "the promotion and protection of human rights [are] based on the principles of cooperation and genuine dialogue".

Penitentiary rehabilitation: designing a model for social insertion and a model for an infrastructure compliant with human rights standards, building of seven new penitentiary centres based on the model of social insertion

The delegation stated that Finland was committed to reaching the goal of 0.7 per cent ODA by 2015, as set by the United Nations, and 0.51 per cent ODA by 2010, as set by the European Union.

As a part of its commitment to guarantee civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights of its people, Sri Lanka will continue to align its development strategy within the larger framework of promoting local values and social protection for women, children, elderly and differently-abled people and other vulnerable groups in society and respect for human rights and good governance

Implement the National Human Rights Plan of Action, highlighting the importance of maintaining a dialogue as a tool towards the implementation of the national human rights agenda, as well as its commitment to strengthen the National Human Rights Council in this regard

Poland will strengthen measures to reduce domestic violence. It indicated that current solutions need to be adjusted in light of the insufficient social awareness of the threats domestic violence poses to individuals, families and society as a whole, as well as insufficient assistance to victims of violence. An annual evaluation of the implementation of the National Programme to Counter Domestic Violence for 2006-2016 will constitute the basis for its adjustment to actual needs. Eradication of violence from the family environment can first and foremost be achieved through the implementation of programmes promoting positive methods of childrearing and partnership in the family, some of which are carried out in collaboration with the European Union and the Council of Europe. In 2008 the law against domestic violence and the National Programme to Counter Domestic Violence will be amended, resulting in: 1/ A complete ban on corporal punishment, and financial support for the implementation of projects against domestic violence at municipal level within the framework of the National Programme to Counter Domestic Violence 2/ The introduction of a warrant obliging the perpetrator to leave the house immediately after an incident of violence is reported by the victimThe introduction of cost-free forensic medical examinations

Sri Lanka will introduce changes in both formal and non-formal educational systems to introduce and/or further develop the human rights content within these programmes with a view to nurturing a culture of human rights in society.

Ratify the open-door policy towards internati onal human rights monitoring mechanisms

Encourage States that had not yet done so to become parties to the major human rights instruments and, accordingly, to comply with their obligations thereunder

Stepping up action to eliminate discrimination against women, violence against women and the practice of female genital mutilation

Strengthening institutional support for the National Human Rights Commission and applying for its accreditation by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions

To extend a standing invitation to special mandate holders on human rights

Confidence-building and stabilization measures: implementation of the action plan for IDPs and conflict-affected communities, including host communities.

Sri Lanka will also work with Member States and relevant United Nations bodies to assist the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to formulate proposals for treaty body reforms, with a view to making the treaty body system more effective and in line with present-day requirements of Member States.