HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ADOPTS OUTCOME OF UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW OF LIBERIA, MARSHALL ISLANDS AND CROATIA

The Human Rights Council at a midday meeting adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Liberia, the Marshall Islands and Croatia.

Benedict F. Sannoh, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Liberia, said that Liberia had been in the vanguard of the promotion and protection of human rights for over 168 years. The country had just come through its greatest crisis since the end of its 14-year civil conflict in 2003, being engulfed in a fight against the deadly Ebola virus, to which over 4,000 Liberians and foreign residents had succumbed. While Liberia was now Ebola-free, it was still at risk due to the porosity of its borders and the free movement of people. Despite those challenges, Liberia had remained steadfast in its determination to participate in the Universal Periodic Review process.

In the ensuing discussion, speakers commended Liberia’s achievements in the promotion and protection of human rights despite the burden posed on the country by the Ebola epidemic. They praised its efforts to consolidate peace and reconciliation and strengthen security. Due to extenuating circumstances of the aftermath of the civil war and the Ebola outbreak, speakers invited the international community to provide Liberia with the necessary assistance to achieve all human rights, fight poverty and ensure economic and social development.

Speaking were Libya, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, Venezuela, Angola, Rwanda, Benin, Botswana, China, Congo, Cuba, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon and Ghana.

Also taking the floor were: International Lesbian and Gay Association, Amnesty International, and Rencontre Africaine pour la defense des droits de l’homme.

Rina Keju, Foreign Service Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Marshall Islands, said that the Government would continue to work with non-governmental organizations in the promotion of human rights. It had agreed to develop socio-economic strategies and plans and recognized that adequate progress towards basic national development would not happen without addressing the social and economic contribution of women. As a nation affected by climate change, the Marshall Islands would address climate change and continue to advocate to strengthen impacts relating to human rights issues and recognize the need to implement measures to build resilience, reduce disaster risk, and support renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Delegations recognized the challenges of a small island developing State with resource constraints, and the firm commitment of the Marshall Islands to the promotion and protection of human rights of its people. They commended the adoption of normative standards, including the National Strategic Plan 2015-2017, the National Policy on Disability-Inclusive Development, the human rights commission bill and the child protection bill. Speakers stressed the importance of addressing the adverse impact of climate change for the full enjoyment of human rights of the people.

Speaking were China, Cuba, Fiji, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Venezuela, and Rwanda. United Nations Watch and the World Association for the School as an Instrument of Peace also took the floor.

The Council then adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of the Marshall Islands.

Vesna Batistic Kos, Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that Croatia attached particular sensitivity to the current migrant crisis, which required a swift and comprehensive response, including addressing the root causes of this crisis. Ms. Batistic Kos stressed that Croatia’s penal code was fully in line with European standards relating to hate speech, defamation and insult, and said that Croatia had accepted all recommendations on torture and prisons, on domestic violence, and on the rights of the child and the rights of persons with disabilities. Roma people were protected by a specific policy guaranteeing their social inclusion. Croatia had accepted all recommendations regarding war crimes and missing persons, and agreed that international cooperation should be speeded up to resolve cases of missing persons.

In the discussion, speakers welcomed Croatia’s constructive engagement with the Universal Periodic Review mechanism and noted with interest the efforts to strengthen the legal framework to protect minority groups and the simplified procedures for juvenile justice. Delegations called upon Croatia to overcome racial discrimination and other social prejudices, resolve human rights issues resulting from the 1991-1995 conflict, including to prosecute all those involved in atrocities, end segregation of Roma children in schools, and address the conditions of detention and reduce overcrowding. It was regrettable that no recommendation had been proposed to make abortion accessible to women, or to remove from the legislation the right of medical doctors to refuse to perform an abortion, as happened in 70 per cent of the cases.

Speaking were Benin, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Council of Europe, Cuba, Estonia, Romania, Rwanda, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Venezuela, Albania, Bulgaria, and Egypt. Allied Rainbow Communities International, Human Rights House Foundation, and Action Canada for Population and Development also participated in the discussion.

The Human Rights Council is holding a full day of meetings today. At 3 p.m., the Council will consider the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Jamaica and Libya, followed by a general debate on the Universal Periodic Review mechanism.

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Liberia

Presentation

BENEDICT F. SANNOH, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Liberia, said that Liberia had been in the vanguard of the promotion and protection of human rights for over 168 years. The country had just come through its greatest crisis since the end of its 14-year civil conflict in 2003, being engulfed in a fight against the deadly Ebola virus, to which over 4,000 Liberians and foreign residents had succumbed. While Liberia was now Ebola-free, it was still at risk due to the porosity of its borders and the free movement of people. Despite those challenges, Liberia had remained steadfast in its determination to participate in the Universal Periodic Review process. Following the receipt of the recommendations from the Council, the Government had held a two-day consultative workshop, based on whose views it had adopted 146 out of 186 recommendations, and taken note of another 40 recommendations. The fact that Liberia “noted” a recommendation did not mean that it did not enjoy any support, but rather that the Government was not able to commit to the practical implementation of such a recommendation.

Liberia had accepted, by and large, the recommendations related to the scope of its international treaty obligations. The Government would continue efforts towards harmonizing its laws at both the constitutional and statutory levels with the treaties it had ratified. The Constitution Review Committee had submitted to the President for her consideration 25 proposals for the amendment of the Constitution, with the view of strengthening protection of human rights. Liberia had also accepted all of the recommendations related to the rights of women and children, and sexual and gender-based violence. Recommendations on the prohibition of female genital mutilation had been accepted. The Government had chosen to “note” several recommendations that presented significant political, economic, social and cultural challenges and thus were not feasible to implement in the short term. When it came to the death penalty, Liberia would maintain its position of “abolitionist by practice”. Mr. Sannoh concluded by stressing that recommendations made during the Universal Periodic Review process had a significant influence as they informed about Liberia’s national strategies and priorities.

Libya welcomed the launching of a holistic national human rights strategy and said that the acceptance of many recommendations by Liberia was evidence of the country’s commitment to human rights.

Sierra Leone commended the efforts to comprehensively integrate human rights into the national legal framework and policies, and noted in this regard the work carried out by the Constitutional Reform Committee. Liberia could do more to address gender-based violence and rape of children.

Sudan thanked Liberia for accepting the recommendation made by Sudan and recommended that the Council adopt the outcome report on Liberia.

Togo was pleased to note the significant progress in the area of human rights that Liberia had achieved since the Universal Periodic Review’s first cycle, and invited the international community to support this country in the implementation of the recommendations it had accepted.

Venezuela said that Liberia had expressed in frank terms the challenges in the promotion and protection of human rights, including the devastating effects of the conflict and the Ebola epidemic which had sapped its efforts to ensure development in the country.

Angola commended the high quality of Liberia’s report and its acceptance of the majority of the recommendations. It acknowledged the challenges that Liberia had faced in guaranteeing access to justice and creating regional centres of justice and security. It encouraged Liberia to continue consolidating peace and reconciliation, as well as its efforts in the area of justice, health and education for vulnerable groups.

Rwanda acknowledged the intense efforts by Liberia to fight the Ebola epidemic, and noted with appreciation that it had accepted many recommendations during the Universal Periodic Review cycle. It encouraged Liberia to continue its efforts aimed at abolishing the death penalty, as well as efforts towards the total eradication of female genital mutilation.

Benin commended Liberia for its achievements and efforts in the promotion and protection of human rights, which supported the consolidation of peace and reconciliation and strengthening of security. It invited the international community to provide Liberia with the necessary assistance to achieve all human rights, fight poverty and achieve economic and social development.

Botswana commended Liberia for the implementation of a number of policies, including the Strategic Roadmap for National Healing, Peacebuilding and Reconciliation, and the economic stabilization and recovery plan aimed at improving health-care infrastructure, education and social welfare.

China commended Liberia for its participation in the Universal Periodic Review and its fight against Ebola. The Ebola outbreak had posed significant challenges for the country in meeting its human rights obligations and China thus called on the international community to provide technical and capacity building aid to Liberia.

Republic of Congo commended Liberia for having incorporated international human rights standards into its national laws, despite facing difficulties in its fight against the Ebola epidemic. It encouraged Liberia to pursue the implementation of the majority of the recommendations.

Cuba said that the Ebola epidemic had had a very negative impact on Liberia’s development. Cuba reiterated the need for the international community to step up assistance to Liberia, especially when it came to strengthening the health infrastructure.

Djibouti welcomed the efforts of Liberia to promote and protect human rights, including through improving living conditions after the Ebola epidemic. The importance of the consolidation of peace and justice through the reconciliation commission was stressed.

Ethiopia noted with satisfaction the achievements by Liberia in the promotion and protection of human rights by providing wide coverage of social services, especially health and education.

Gabon noted that despite the many difficulties caused by the Ebola epidemic, the Government had taken steps to improve human rights, in both normative and institutional aspects. Liberia was encouraged to continue to implement the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review.

Ghana supported the efforts of Liberia in implementing the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review. The resilient people of Liberia had gone far since the dark days of the war. Liberia was urged to join the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect.

International Lesbian and Gay Association regretted the lack of support from Liberia to the recommendation on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons continued to suffer human rights abuses such as harassment, attacks, verbal abuse, mob violence and hate crimes.

Amnesty International said that despite the policy reform and other positive initiatives, concern remained about shortcomings in the justice sector, including prolonged detention and poor conditions of detention. Deficiencies in the judicial system had led to impunity for sexual and gender-based violence.

Rencontre Africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme commended Liberia for its success in combatting the Ebola epidemic and said that the establishment of the National Commission for Human Rights and Information indicated the progress being made towards the rule of law.

The President said that Liberia had received 186 recommendations, of which it had supported 147 and noted 39.

Concluding Remarks

BENEDICT F. SANNOH, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Liberia, took note with appreciation of the recognition of the challenges Liberia experienced in addressing the Ebola epidemic, and said with regards to the situation in Burkina Faso that Liberia would always support orderly transfer of power. Despite difficulties it faced, Liberia would continue to implement the recommendations it had accepted.

The Council then adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Liberia.

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of the Marshall Islands

RINA KEJU, Foreign Service Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Marshall Islands, said that, given its limited resources to carry out the proper implementation of the recommendations, the Government was calling upon the international community to provide assistance in that regard. The Marshall Islands had accepted the recommendations to strengthen the promotion of human rights activities and the Government would continue to work with non-governmental organizations in the promotion of human rights. The Government had accepted the recommendations to develop socio-economic strategies and plans. The Government recognized that adequate progress towards basic national development would not happen without addressing the social and economic contribution of women.

The Marshall Islands had accepted the recommendations and recognized the need to strengthen progress in education and health. As a nation affected by climate change, the Marshall Islands accepted the recommendations to address climate change and would continue to advocate to strengthen impacts relating to human rights issues and recognize the need to implement measures to build resilience, reduce disaster risk, and support renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Government noted the importance of establishing a national human rights institution, but at the current time, it was not considering it due to limited resources. Overall, the Government continued to work with various non-governmental organizations, particularly Women United Together, in the promotion of human rights.

China thanked the Marshall Islands for accepting China’s recommendations to improve public health structures, and to improve the living standards of people despite the adverse impacts of climate change.

Cuba said that this small island developing State had suffered challenges of nuclear testing and climate change and reiterated the request to the international community to support this country in the areas it had noted in the report.

Fiji understood the challenges of a small island developing State with resource constraints and thanked the Marshall Islands for the adoption of the recommendation made by Fiji on gender-based budgeting, which was a useful tool. Fiji would continue to work together with Liberia on climate change advocacy.

Philippines recognized the resource constraints of the Marshall Islands and its firm commitment to the promotion and protection of the human rights of its people. It was important to address the adverse impact of climate change for the full enjoyment of rights and the Philippines recommended the adoption of the report on the Marshall Islands.

Sierra Leone commended the efforts to harmonize legislation with international human rights instruments and that in spite of limited resources, the Government had sought to adopt normative standards, including the National Strategic Plan 2015-2017, and the National Policy on Disability-Inclusive Development. Serious consideration must be paid to the impact of climate change and the capacity of the country to implement its human rights obligations.

Venezuela said that despite major challenges caused by economic crises and climate change, the Marshall Islands had undertaken important legislative changes to bring its legislation in line with international standards, particularly in the area of women’s rights.

Rwanda acknowledged the continued commitment by the Marshall Islands to protect human rights, and congratulated the Marshall Islands on ratifying the Convention on the Protection of Persons with Disabilities.

United Nations Watch said that Freedom House had given the Marshall Islands the highest ranking for its respect of human rights. Still, more could be done in the field of women’s and children’s rights and non-discrimination of persons with disabilities. Ways should be found to help the Marshall Islands and other small island developing States participate at meetings at the United Nations in Geneva.

World Association for the School as an Instrument of Peace said the Marshall Islands should issue an invitation to all Special Procedures, ratify all human rights treaties and create a national human rights institution. Human rights education should be essential, especially on the interlinks between climate change and human rights.

The President of the Council said the Marshall Islands had received 111 recommendations, out of which it had accepted 102 and noted nine.

Concluding Remarks

RINA KEJU, Foreign Service Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Marshall Islands, said that the Marshall Islands would continue to look for opportunities for improving human rights, but support by the international community was necessary due to its limited resources. The Government was grateful for all the input received in the Universal Periodic Review.

The Council then adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of the Marshall Islands.


Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Croatia

Presentation

VESNA BATISTIC KOS, Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations Office of Geneva, reiterated Croatia’s commitment to the Universal Periodic Review and, as a candidate to the membership of the Council, to the United Nations human rights system in general. Croatia attached particular sensitivity to the current migrant crisis, which required a swift and comprehensive response. Croatia underlined the importance of addressing the root causes of this crisis. Croatia did not recognize the term “domestic workers” and did not plan to ratify ILO Convention 189. Croatia was under the process of considering the ratification of a number of protocols to international human rights conventions, including to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and to the Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances. Croatia’s penal code was fully in line with European standards relating to hate speech, defamation and insult. Recommendations on torture and prisons were all accepted. Croatia was surprised at the high number of recommendations made to it on domestic violence, but had accepted them all. Specific and targeted measures had been put in place to effectively combat gender discrimination and violence, and Croatia was willing to do more in the areas of prevention and protection of victims. Croatia would continue efforts to empower women and ensure women’s equal access to all dimensions of society.

The rights of the child and of persons with disabilities had always been high on the Government’s agenda, therefore all recommendations on these issues had been adopted and were already implemented. Croatia was a strong advocate of children’s rights at the international level. Croatia attached great importance to the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, and had introduced a civil partnership for same-sex couples. There was no record of hate-motivated criminal offenses by law enforcement officers, the recommendation relating to this was therefore noted. Croatia had accepted all recommendations on national minorities, and was enforcing them. Roma people were protected by a specific policy guaranteeing their social inclusion. Croatia was committed to addressing the issue of access to housing by migrants. Croatia had accepted all recommendations regarding war crimes and missing persons, and agreed that international cooperation should be speeded up to resolve cases of missing persons.

Discussion

Benin thanked Croatia for its open dialogue in the Universal Periodic Review and took note with interest of the strengthening of the legal framework to protect minority groups and the simplified procedures for juvenile justice.

China welcomed the constructive engagement of Croatia and the acceptance of the recommendations made by China. Croatia had promoted the implementation of the national immigration policy and the protection of the rights of immigrants.

Côte d’Ivoire commended Croatia for the interest made in the recommendations stemming from this review and was convinced that their implementation would strengthen human rights in the country. Croatia should strengthen its migration management, overcome racial discrimination and social prejudices and improve gender equality.

Council of Europe said that challenges Croatia faced included resolving human rights violations resulting from the 1991-1995 conflict and stressed the need to prosecute all those involved in atrocities. Croatia should facilitate naturalization of the stateless Roma, and end segregation of Roma children in schools. Finally, Croatia needed to improve material conditions in prisons and reduce overcrowding.

Cuba thanked Croatia for having accepted the recommendations made by Cuba concerning the rights of women and persons with disabilities. The implementation of the accepted recommendations would be a signal of Croatia’s commitment to the Universal Periodic Review mechanism.

Estonia welcomed the measures already taken by Croatia to address some key challenges. Cases of all missing persons ought to be resolved and perpetrators should be brought to justice.

Romania said that the large majority of recommendations had been accepted by the Government of Croatia. Romania noted with satisfaction that Croatia was ready to provide a mid-term report.

Rwanda commended Croatia’s commitment to the promotion of human rights, especially in promoting inclusive education. Croatia was encouraged to ratify the Convention on the Protection of Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

Serbia said that the deterioration in Croatia with regard to the human rights of the Serbian minority contravened the Government’s pledges and presented a cause of concern. Serbia reiterated the need to prosecute all cases of past human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity in an independent manner.

Sierra Leone hoped that more would be done to effectively address the issue of trafficking in persons. Sierra Leone encouraged Croatia to consider ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

Venezuela welcomed considerable progress by Croatia to promote political participation by women and gender equality, and to raise awareness on minorities. It encouraged Croatia to continue efforts in the fields of access to employment, health and food.

Albania commended Croatia’s progress on Roma community rights and its participation in regional efforts to address the migrant crisis.

Bulgaria commended the implementation of the national programme on human rights, and encouraged Croatia to strengthen its efforts to combat social exclusion and hate speech. It encouraged further efforts to ensure gender equality.

Egypt was encouraged by Croatia’s continued engagement in the field of human rights, including gender equality, women empowerment, and combatting torture. It welcomed that Croatia had accepted its recommendations on the right to work and the right to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Allied Rainbow Communities International recognized progress made to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons’ rights, but was concerned that no legislation recognized the status of transgender persons, and called on Croatia to enshrine the rights of transgender persons in its legislation, and to strengthen the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.

Human Rights House Foundation said that Croatia must guarantee access to the legal system to everyone, including people with little or no education, and amend its legislation on defamation. The sexual violence, including against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and Roma, remained an issue and Croatia should amend its Anti-Discrimination Act and address the misuse of psychiatric detention.

Action Canada for Population and Development welcomed the acceptance by Croatia of all the recommendation relating to sexual violence and violence against women and called for necessary legislative measures to ensure specialist support services to victims throughout the country. It was regrettable that no recommendation had been made to make abortion accessible to women.

The President of the Council said that out of 167 recommendation, Croatia supported 162 and noted five.


Concluding Remarks

VESNA BATISTIC KOS, Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that Croatia would continue to engage constructively with civil society to review the recommendations from the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review. On the Istanbul Convention, Ms. Batistic Kos said that Croatia would soon conduct all activities to ensure administrative and financial preconditions for the ratification of this instrument. Meanwhile, the Government would continue with efforts to prevent violence against women. Croatia would continue to prosecute those who had committed crimes during the Homeland War - Croatia had prosecuted more than 3,000 persons between 1992 and 2014, without any ethnic bias. The new Bill on Compensation of Victims of Sexual Violence during the Homeland War had been adopted, granting one payment to victims, in addition to regular monthly payment and health cost subsidies. The draft act on civilian victims of war was being considered. The use of Serbian Cyrillic’s script in the town of Vukovar remained a very sensitive issue as people still strongly felt the scars of the war, and the Government had decided not to use any coercive measures in this regard, given the particular specificity of this group. The Croatian National Roma Inclusion Strategy 2020 went beyond the recommended areas of housing, education and employment, and it covered social inclusion, social status, anti-discrimination and others. Croatia was a small country and did not have the capacity to deal with hundreds of thousands of new arrivals, but was doing its best to ensure that all migrants and asylum seekers were dealt with in a humane manner.

The Council then adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Croatia.


For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC15/128E