UPR Info

Bahrain will also explore the possibility of obtaining appropriate technical assistance to strengthen national implementation of the Convention [on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination].

Sri Lanka has commenced work on drafting a constitutional charter on human rights that will strengthen the human rights protection framework in the country and bring Sri Lanka's constitutional human rights guarantees in line with its international obligations. The process includes engaging in consultations with civil society. The draft charter and the process of consultation will foster a national discourse on human rights.

The Tongan Government believes that social, economic and cultural rights are important. It is fully committed to a vigorous development of Tonga's economic, social and cultural goals. It has consistently pursued a progressive agenda on social, economic and cultural policy and can point to the practical strategies of SDP8 and increased funding for education and healthcare as evidence of its commitment

The Government provides free access to health and medical services. To alleviate capacity constraints and improve services available, the government facilitates partnerships with both Taiwan and Australia for specialized medical teams to visit and provide specialized medical services. There is a team of Cuban doctors permanently based in Tarawa. The Government also continues to approve increased scholarship allocations for medical and nursing training overseas, mainly in Australia and Cuba.

Finally, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania takes this opportunity to reiterate its commitment to the ideals and principles enshrined in the international legal instruments to which it is a party and its determination to contribute, as a member of the Human Rights Council, to efforts to promote and protect human rights internationally and in Arab and African countries.

Solomon Islands further stated that it had recently sent an invitation to the OHCHR Regional Office for an in-country assessment for the purpose of establishing an office in Solomon Islands.

To share with the public sector and with civil society the recommendations and voluntary commitments from the second universal periodic review

It has asked the Human Rights Council for technical assistance to help it run human rights training courses and workshops for law enforcement personnel and members of the Prosecution Service and the judiciary.

It will liaise with the President of the Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the possible organization of visits that might prove useful for the purposes of discussions and consultations.

Although there are no cases of torture in the Kingdom, Bahrain's steadfast desire to enhance the professionalism of law enforcement personnel has prompted it to ask the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for assistance in developing and improving human rights curricula and training courses.

Free comprehensive health care for life and free education for the nation's children up to 14 years of age (a far-sighted policy dating back to 1875) points to a progressive domestic realisation of the rights set out in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) even though the Kingdom has not ratified this treaty. The development of these policies was accompanied by clear and attainable targets that have been monitored and evaluated on the way forward

The Government provides compulsory and free primary schools. There needs to be a system of checks to ensure that all children are allowed to go to school. Legislation provides that parents can be taken to court and charged if proved that they purposely hold their children from school. Due to financial constraints, some families may prefer boys go to school whilst girls are 'educated' at home. This practice is fast becoming extinct and education statistics have shown higher number of girls obtaining scholarships in past years. Primary, Secondary, Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and Tertiary Institutions are highly subsidized by Government through provision of Teacher salaries, free equipment and other teaching materials.

Legal procedures have been instituted with a view to enacting a new law on private sector employment to replace the current legislation and to introduce a statutory minimum wage, which will be subject to regular review, and also to restructure the labour market in order to balance the freedom to change jobs with the protection of employers' interests.

Under the Constitution, the Government recognizes the right of the people to health services, and its obligation to take every step reasonable and necessary to provide said services with the health care system including 2 hospitals in the urban centers and 58 health centers in the outer islands. The Government therefore provides free medical services to its people. Where these services cannot be provided, there are referral programs for patients to Honolulu, Philippines, and Taiwan. In renegotiating the Compact of Free Association with the United States, the RMI Government had maintained that one of its priority areas was health. From the Fiscal Year 2004 through 2009, one (1) new Health Center was constructed including five (5) maintenance projects for 46 outer island dispensaries using Compact public infrastructure funding. Planning already initiated for a new hospital in Majuro, and the hospital redevelopment project for the new hospital aims for ground breaking in early 2011.

The Education Act states that the Nitijela declares and recognizes the right of the people to education and the Government's obligation to take every step reasonable and necessary to provide this service as per the Constitution. The compulsory ages of school attendance is 4-18 years old. It is the Government's policy that the goal of its educational system is to foster self-reliance. In addition to free education, transportation and meals are also provided by the Government. 44. In renegotiating the Compact of Free Association with the United States, the RMI Government had maintained that one of its priority areas was education. Since the amended Compact came into effect, the Government has built approximately 200 newly constructed and repaired classrooms throughout the country utilizing Compact public infrastructure funding.

It is the constitutional mandate of the Attorney-General's Office to provide legal advice and service to the Government. Also provided under the Constitution is the Government's recognition of the right of the people to legal services, and is obliged to take every step reasonable and necessary to provide said services. Consequently, for indigent people who cannot afford legal representation, free legal access is provided by the Public Defender's Office and the Micronesian Legal Services Office.

To share the Ecuadorian experience and provide interested countries with assistance relating to its programmes in the field of inclusion of persons with disabilities

Share, with States that request it, the experiences of the National Human Rights System, the comprehensive monitoring system for international recommendations on human rights (SISREDH) and the monitoring mechanism of the universal periodic review, in the framework of international cooperation.

The Congo reiterates its commitment to cooperate with all United Nations bodies in general, and with those of the Human Rights Council in particular.

China is committed to carrying out exchanges and cooperation on human rights with all countries, and to promoting the resolution of human rights issues in a fair, objective and non-selective manner by the international community.

Coopérer dans le domaine des droits de l’homme avec les organismes, mécanismes et comités du système des Nations Unies afin de faciliter leurs activités et la mise en œuvre de leurs programmes et s’acquitter des obligations qui lui incombent à cet égard

Argentina reaffirms its commitment to continue strengthening the protection of human rights at a universal and regional level, and also to preserve and strengthen the role of NGOs in the promotion and defence of human rights.

To continue to develop domestic legislation for further protection of the rights of the child

Bahrain will continue its efforts to achieve comprehensive development, with the emphasis on the centrality of human rights in development and the importance of supporting a culture of human rights by all available means, including through education, the media, etc.

Sri Lanka will continue to work towards the submission of its periodic reports to treaty bodies.

Continued humanitarian support for refugees from the Horn of Africa and provision of all humanitarian welfare requirements within the limits of available means

Continue to bring domestic legislation into line with international instruments

The delegation also reiterated Benin's commitment to the UPR as well as its commitment to continue its cooperation with all the mechanisms of the Human Rights Council

The delegation expressed the authorities' commitment to continue to cooperate with the United Nations and to carry out effective work on behalf of human rights protection.

Pursue inclusive policies to improve education with a view to narrowing the gap between different socioeconomic levels