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.

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

Argentina will promote the adoption by the Human Rights Council of a declaration on the right to truth and memory.

The Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination pointed out that Bahraini law provides no definition of racial discrimination that includes the criteria set out in article 1 of the Convention. The Committee also asked for additional information on housing. The Kingdom of Bahrain will duly include in its next report to the Committee additional information on the follow-up to the Committee's concluding observations and recommendations.

Commitments undertaken to promote the collective rights of afro-Ecuadorian and indigenous peoples, dissemination through a broad process of the outcome of the conference on the elimination of racial discrimination to be held next year in Geneva, adoption of the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people with regard to free and equal access to services in the administration of justice

In the area of persons with different sexual orientation, implementation of a national system to guarantee equality and non-discrimination

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 will explore the possibility of reviewing some of its existing reservations to the treaties to which it is a party. By way of example, Bahrain has already withdrawn its reservation to article 20 of the Convention against Torture.

Examination of the idea of creating a national action plan to implement the outcome of the universal periodic review

In the pledges that it will make to the Human Rights Council during the 2008 elections, Bahrain will confirm its adoption of "good practices".

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

With the intention of strengthening the efficiency of the cooperation with the United Nations system and with the view of improving its national policies, Brazil reinforced its commitment to create new tools for the internal monitoring of human rights. This would include a national system of human rights indicators and the elaboration of annual reports on the situation of human rights, taking into account, among other aspects, a follow-up of the UPR exercise.

Human rights training for public civil servants, generating continuous training processes for public officials and officials in the area of justice

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.

Preventing and combating the crime of trafficking in persons, effective implementation of a national plan of action to combat the crime of trafficking in persons

Argentina commits itself to put into practice the mechanism contained in the Optional Protocol of the Convention against Torture and to continue the implementation of the National Plan to Combat Discrimination in all its aspects, and also to promote the second stage of the National Plan of Human Rights

Additional measures to level educational opportunities will be introduced. Poland will spare no effort to enable preschool-age children to enjoy their rights, among others through the creation of amenable conditions for developing various forms of preschool education, particularly in rural areas. The planned strategy for the development of education in rural areas for 2007-2013 will be attuned to the Government Programme for the development of education in rural areas in the years 2008-2013. The strategic aim of the programme is to upgrade the quality and level of education in rural areas. Implementation of the measures facilitating access for children from rural areas and small towns to quality education will continue until 2013

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].