UPR Info

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

Poland pledges to further improve the situation of disabled persons. Due to its limited effectiveness, a review of the current system of vocational and social rehabilitation and employment of disabled persons, particularly with regard to vocational ctivation, will be carried out

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

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)

The application of best practices in all areas of the universal periodic review process, beginning with the preparation of the report in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, in order to guarantee the implementation of the outcome of the review and follow-up on the progress made by Bahrain in implementing the outcome.

Promotion of human rights within the national police, modification of the document on criminal police record, creation of a human rights and anti-corruption unit within the National Police, reform of the manual on procedures for the handling of children

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.

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].

Bahrain affirms that it will include information in its future reports on the outcome of the universal periodic review and its impact on the human rights situation on the ground.

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

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.

To achieve by 2008 the modifications to the French legislation to satisfy the requirements of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

In the area of women's rights, promotion of democratic governance with equal opportunities for men and women, promoting a life free of violence, through the adoption of measures to prevent, eradicate, criminalize and punish violence against women, implementation of public policies and cross-cutting programmes, and the promotion of legislation to eliminate violence against women and children, development of laws and public policies to prevent and eradicate abuse, harassment and sexual exploitation of women and children, promotion of a gender perspective in the education system and in the implementation of social policies in the formal and non-formal education system, eradication of illiteracy, training of public and judicial officials, and in the criminal process of cases of domestic violence and sexual crimes against women and children

To seize the CNCDH as often as possible in the context of law-making so that it efficiently assumes its advisory role

To submit to Parliament, for early ratification, the 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

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

Encourage the legislature to adopt international instruments and other human rights initiatives

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)

Continuing and strengthening its efforts to achieve gender equality in Government and public services at all levels, to this end, the newly elected Parliament, the Knesset, had 21 women, among the largest number of women members in the history of Israel, and 3 more than in the previous Knesset

Canada is committed to engaging with civil society and intends to hold further consultations in follow-up to the UPR.

Regarding counter-terrorism, Canada is committed to preventing and combating terrorism in a manner that fulfills its international obligations, including its human rights obligations.

Monitoring mechanisms of Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) government policies in the field of human rights shall be strengthened, along with other means to improve "law in action" and to assess its effectiveness.

The MSAR [Macao Special Administrative Region] Government commits to improve social rights. Cooperation with the civil society and NGOs will be enhanced.

Mexico will follow up on the recommendations with the full participation of civil society and autonomous human rights institutions, through the Commission for Government Policy on Human Rights.

It is committed to supporting the higher national anti-corruption authority in discharging its mandate to the full

With regard to the international human rights treaties: Consideration of withdrawal of its reservations to Article 5 of the CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, consideration of accession to a number of ILO Conventions and the Convention against Torture, ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children

Cooperation with the Human Rights Council in establishing a national mechanism to implement, over the next four years, the recommendations resulting from the universal periodic review

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