UPR Info

Submit, in 2008, eight reports to United Nations bodies, of which seven to treaty bodies: (i) Fifth and sixth periodic reports on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), (ii) Third periodic report on the implementation of the International Convention, against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), (iii) Eighteenth and nineteenth periodic reports on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), (iv) Third periodic report on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), (v) Initial report on the implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, concerning the involvement of children in armed conflicts, (vi) Third periodic report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), (vii) Fifth periodic report on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

Consolidation of the Higher Committee on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, in line with the Paris Principles, by giving it legislative status, reinforcing its administrative and financial autonomy, expanding its prerogatives - self-referral, impromptu visits to prisons, individual appeals, and developing its means of action to stand against all forms of rights violation

An inter-ministerial committee was established in 2002, the mandate of the committee was to facilitate treaty implementation, particularly reporting as required by the various international treaties. Due to capacity constraints both financial and human, this Committee has not delivered on its mandate effectively. The Government has recently made a commitment to strengthening the capacity of the committee and to this end is being assisted by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Ethiopia pledged to consider the ratification of additional instruments to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Ethiopia was also committed to signing the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and was considering its ratification in due course.

Improve the human-rights capacity-building programme and step up efforts to promote and raise awareness of these rights.

Enact legislation on community-based associations, violence against women, the rights of persons with disabilities, human trafficking, trade unions and health insurance.

In this context, the key priorities are summarized in this report and there is maintained the commitment to lead efforts for accession and ratification of some key instruments that the country has not acceded, and to submit regular reports to the bodies of United Nations Treaty.

Continue to bring domestic legislation into line with international instruments

To carry out an annual review of the human rights situation in the country and report as appropriate

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

Cameroon stated that for each accepted or rejected recommendations, it has made clear, precise and realistic commitments. For instance, regarding the issue of homosexuality, Cameroon was committed not to aggravate current criminal penalties, to continue to apply legal provisions, guarantee a fair trial to alleged homosexuals, and continue not to apply any discriminatory measure against them. Regarding the issue of freedom of expression, Cameroon was committed to strengthen the professionalism of journalists, continue to allocate public subsidy to the private media, strengthen the capacity of journalists and human rights defenders in the area of ethics and professional code of conduct, continue to promote freedom of expression and respect the outspokenness of the media, continue to apply measures applicable to press card holders in order to protect the State, and support the mission of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders to take place in Cameroon in October 2013.

Burkina Faso reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with the different international bodies and hoped for assistance from all international and national actors for the implementation of the recommendations made.

Senegal aims to increase vaccination coverage from 80 to 90 per cent by introducing new vaccines against two of the three main causes of child mortality, pneumonia and rotavirus.

Lesotho was committed to preventing illicit trafficking of conventional arms. The International Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons had been ratified and the Arms Trade Treaty had been signed.

Although Lesotho has not been able to meet most of the MDGs, she will redouble her efforts to achieve the goals and in the post 2015 period, she will mobilize more development partners and exert decisive leadership to attain National Vision 2020 as the MDGs bear a close relationship to the 7 pillars of the Vision 2020.

Lesotho will continue to reduce environmental degradation.

The Government was committed to creating about 10,000 jobs per year.

The Government is committed to the establishment of an institutional and legislative framework for the provision of affordable legal aid and awareness services for all.

The Government was committed to implementing the recommendations contained in the report of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission.

Regarding the reform of the justice system, the delegation stated that Liberia had made progress and was committed to enhancing the system and strengthening access to justice, particularly via the establishment of the regional hubs for justice and security. As mentioned earlier, the delegation stated that the standing invitation to the special procedures was being prepared and should be issued very soon

The Government is committed to ensuring the progressive implementation of the principle that at least five percent of the members of the public in elective and appointive bodies are persons with disabilities as is provided for under Article 54(2) of the Constitution. Article 100 of the Constitution provides for the enactment of legislation to promote the representation in Parliament for marginalized groups which includes persons with disabilities, by 2015.

The Libyan Government would like to express its thanks to the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review and reaffirm its commitment to strive to implement those recommendations it has accepted.

Withdrawal of reservations annexed to the law concerning ratification of CRC, given the evolution of Tunisian legislation and the enactment of new laws promoting the rights of the child

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

Promote the development of human rights norms

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

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

Rehabilitation of the National Human Rights Commission by 2010 at the latest

With regard to extending a standing invitation to Human Rights Council special rapporteurs, the Congolese delegation reiterated its commitment to cooperating with United Nations bodies.

Ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries No. 169, of 27 June 1989, by the last quarter of 2009