HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ADOPTS OUTCOMES OF THE UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW OF SEYCHELLES, SOLOMON ISLANDS AND LATVIA
The Human Rights Council in its midday meeting adopted the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Seychelles, Solomon Islands and Latvia.
Barry Faure, Secretary of State in the Foreign Affairs Department said that Seychelles accepted 142 recommendations and noted seven. Seychelles accepted recommendations relating to the ratification of core human rights instruments and their Optional Protocols, a national human rights institution, the non-discrimination of persons based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, and gender discrimination and gender-based violence. The rights of the child continued to be of the highest priority on the national agenda. Seychelles continued to call on the international community to recognize the irrefutable link between climate change and human rights.
Speakers noted the progress made by Seychelles in the promotion and protection of human rights, and in particular welcomed the ratification of the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and all the efforts employed to ensure the full enjoyment of children’s rights. They took positive note of the measures to combat corruption, such as adoption of the Anti-Corruption Act, as well as measures to combat trafficking in persons, including the passing of the law against trafficking in persons and the setting up of a committee to combat this scourge. Speakers called upon the international community to provide adequate support and resources to Seychelles in addressing the threat of climate change.
Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Togo, Venezuela, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, India, and Maldives spoke in the discussion, together with the non-governmental organization Recontre Africaine pour la defence des droits de l’homme.
The Council then adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Seychelles.
Barrett Salato, Minister Counsellor and Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the Permanent Mission of Solomon Islands to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that Solomon Islands received 139 recommendations during its Universal Periodic Review cycle, of this it accepted 89, including to ratify the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to establish a national human rights institution, and those related to child protection, corporal punishment, trafficking in persons, education and criminalization of sexual violence. The Government was committed to establishing a national monitoring, reporting and follow-up mechanism within the next five years.
In the ensuing discussion, speakers noted challenges that the Solomon Islands faced as a small island developing State, in particular the threat of climate change, and called upon the international community to provide all necessary assistance and resources in the effort to overcome those challenges. Speakers expressed satisfaction with the commitment of the Government to draw up the national human rights plan and establish the national human rights institution, and welcomed the ratification of four core human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adoption of the National Development Plan 2016-2035, and the adoption of the Family Protection Act 2014. Solomon Islands should continue to strengthen its child protection system, address the problem of trafficking in persons, and bolster its inclusive policies, they said.
Speaking were Pakistan, Palau, Sierra Leone, United Nations Children Fund, Venezuela, Cuba, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia, Kiribati, and Maldives, and the non-governmental organizations Allied Rainbow Communities International and Africa Culture Internationale.
The Council then adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Solomon Islands.
Janis Karklins, Permanent Representative of Latvia, said the 127 recommendations Latvia had received addressed issues including adherence to international human rights instruments, domestic violence, human trafficking, and social integration; as Latvia had received several recommendations on granting rights to non-citizens, he stressed that non-citizens enjoyed all social and cultural rights, as well as the majority of economic and political rights.
In the discussion that followed, speakers congratulated Latvia for its positive engagement in the Universal Periodic Review process. They raised concerns about detention conditions in the country, as well as about discrimination, either language-based or directed against non-citizens, sexual minorities or Roma persons. They encouraged Latvia to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.
Taking part in the discussion were Estonia, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Albania and Council of Europe.
The Ombudsman Office of Latvia and the British Humanist Association also took the floor.
The Council then adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Latvia.
The Human Rights Council will at 3 p.m. consider the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Sierra Leone and Singapore. Following this, the Council will conclude its general debate on human rights bodies and mechanisms, and hold a general debate on the Universal Periodic Review.
Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Seychelles
BARRY FAURE, Secretary of State in the Foreign Affairs Department of Seychelles, said the Universal Periodic Review came at a symbolic moment for Seychelles, which was celebrating 40 years as an independent nation on 29 June. The Review allowed Seychelles to assess its achievements and shortcomings and identify the most effective strategies to further improve the promotion and protection of human rights on the ground. One hundred and forty-two recommendations had been accepted and seven had been noted. Regarding the recommendations relating to the signature and ratification of core United Nations human rights instruments and their Optional Protocols, all had been accepted. All recommendations with regard to national human rights institutions had been accepted, as had all recommendations regarding the non-discrimination of persons based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. Regarding gender discrimination, gender based and domestic violence, and gender empowerment, the Government of Seychelles was acutely aware of the tremendous cost of the violation of the rights of women and girls.
The rights of the child continued to be of the highest priority on the national agenda. As regard raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility, he noted that there was no internationally agreed upon minimum age of criminal responsibility. He addressed issues including recommendations regarding effective measures against illicit drug trafficking and corruption, and also noted that the rights of freedom of assembly and of expression were the cornerstones of a vibrant democracy such as Seychelles. Appreciation was expressed to fellow small island developing States Fiji and Haiti for their recommendations on climate change. Seychelles continued to call on the international community to recognize the irrefutable link between climate change and human rights, and take immediate and effective action to ensure that the international community left behind a world that was inhabitable for the next generation.
Pakistan appreciated the acceptance by the Seychelles of the majority of recommendations and welcomed the positive measures by the Government, including the strengthening of its national human rights institution.
Sierra Leone noted the progress made since the Review, including the passing of the Anti-Corruption Act and the revision of the national human rights institution to ensure that it was adequately resourced as per the Paris Principles. Sierra Leone called upon the international community to provide support and resources to Seychelles to adequately address the threat of climate change.
Togo welcomed the adoption of the Law against Trafficking in Humans and the establishment of a committee to combat this scourge. Togo called for the adoption of the report on the Seychelles.
Venezuela welcomed the ratification of the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and recognized the well-targeted National Action Plan to combat gender-based violence.
Angola noted the strong commitment of the Seychelles to human rights as evidenced by the ratification of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the commitment to ensure free education up to the secondary level, which would fight illiteracy and would help the integration of youth into the socio-economic system.
Botswana commended the adoption of the law on combatting trafficking in persons and on domestic violence, and encouraged Seychelles to improve in the areas still lagging behind.
Burundi commended the efforts to ensure full respect for the rights of the child, and the efforts to combat trafficking in persons and combat all forms of violence against women, particularly domestic violence. Burundi welcomed measures for the integration and rehabilitation of detainees.
Cabo Verde said that building on the progress made during the first cycle and the recommendations accepted during the second cycle promised significant advances in the human rights situation in Seychelles. Taking into account the challenges in the promotion and protection of human rights, Cabo Verde reiterated its full support for the efforts of Seychelles.
China welcomed the progress in the areas of health and education and supported the adoption of the report on Seychelles.
Cuba expressed appreciation for the acceptance of the recommendations it had made on human rights education and the promotion of the right to health. Cuba underscored the progress made by Seychelles in the promotion and protection of the rights of children, as well as the work to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
Ethiopia welcomed that Seychelles had accepted its recommendations, and commended its commitment to improve human rights for its people. Ethiopia supported the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review outcome report.
Ghana welcomed Seychelles’ commitment to combat gender-based violence through a national action plan dedicated to this specific issue. Ghana encouraged Seychelles to continue its efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights, and endorsed the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review report.
Haiti thanked the Government of Seychelles for having taken into account its five recommendations, and recommended the adoption of the report by consensus.
India took positive note of Seychelles’ active and constructive participation in the Universal Periodic Review process, and encouraged that Seychelles would further efforts for the implementation of accepted recommendations.
Maldives welcomed that Seychelles had accepted 142 recommendations, including the ones made by Maldives concerning education and gender equality. Maldives welcomed Seychelles’ commitment to address the effects of climate change.
Rencontre Africaine pour la défence des droits de l’homme welcomed Seychelles’ commitment to the promotion of the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. It congratulated the people of Seychelles for engaging in a peaceful election process, despite restrictions on freedom of speech.
The President of the Council said that out of 150 recommendations received, Seychelles had accepted 142, while seven were noted. Additional clarification had been provided on one recommendation, said the President, indicating which part of the recommendation was accepted, and which part was noted.
Concluding Remarks
BARRY FAURE, Secretary of State in the Foreign Affairs Department of Seychelles, thanked representatives of non-governmental organizations for their comments. He reiterated Seychelles’ commitment to ensure that its national human rights institution was in compliance with the Paris Principles by the time it undertook its third Universal Periodic Review. He also reiterated Seychelles’ commitment to address the issue of climate change. He assured that all candidates had the freedom to express themselves during the last electoral campaigns, and reiterated his Government’s commitment to continue efforts to address issues relating to detention conditions and access to education.
The Council then adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Seychelles.
Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Solomon Islands
BARRETT SALATO, Minister Counsellor and Chargé d’Affaire a.i. at the Permanent Mission of Solomon Islands to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that Seychelles had accepted 89 recommendations out of the 139 recommendations it had received, and had further consulted with relevant Government agencies on postponed recommendations. Solomon Islands was a party to a number of international human rights instruments, and was committed to continue efforts for their implementation and for reporting under them despite continued challenges. Solomon Islands had recently faced a number of natural disasters, which had had a crippling effect on the economy, infrastructure and already stretched human and financial resources. Despite that, it had accepted the recommendation to ratify the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as the recommendation to establish a national human rights institution. Solomon Islands had recently launched its National Development Strategy 2016-35, which provided long- and medium-term strategies for allowing space for integrating a human rights agenda. The Government was mindful of donors’ concerns, and was committed to establishing a national monitoring, reporting and follow-up mechanism within the next five years.
Mr. Salato also informed the Council that Solomon Islands had accepted recommendations relating to child protection, corporal punishment, trafficking, education, and the criminalization of sexual violence, and presented efforts already undertaken on these issues. With regard to recommendations relating to violence against women, he highlighted the broad scope of the Family Protection Act 2014. In conclusion, he reiterated Solomon Islands’ commitment to implement accepted recommendations in time, and called on bilateral and multilateral development partners to render their assistance in these areas.
Pakistan delivered the statement on Sierra Leone, by mistake.
Palau commended the acceptance of many recommendations by Solomon Islands despite the challenges it faced as a small island developing State, in particular with regard to climate change. Palau welcomed the adoption of the National Development Plan 2016-2035 and called upon the international community to support Solomon Islands.
Sierra Leone noted with satisfaction the intention of Solomon Islands to draw up a national human rights plan and establish a national human rights institution. Sierra Leone called upon the international community to provide assistance to Solomon Islands to enable it to fulfil its human rights obligations and to support its mitigation and adaptation measures to address the threat of climate change.
United Nations Children Fund welcomed the ratification by Solomon Islands of four core human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the adoption of the Family Protection Act 2014, and the removal of school fees. Solomon Islands should strengthen its child protection system.
Venezuela took note of the efforts by Solomon Islands to bring its legislation in step with international law, in particular with regard to the rights of women. Solomon Islands should bolster its inclusive policies with the support of the international community.
Cuba noted the many cases of adaptation to climate change technologies in Solomon Islands and called upon the international community to support its efforts as a small island developing State.
Fiji welcomed Solomon Islands’ commitment towards ensuring children’s rights, and encouraged continued measures to ensure their protection against all forms of violence at home and at school, as well as measures to ensure women’s equal access to justice. Fiji remained available to provide assistance or partnership on such matters.
Ghana welcomed Solomon Islands’ steps to include human rights in its Development Strategy, and urged the country to continue its efforts to pass legislation on child protection and against corruption.
Indonesia remained concerned with regard to the implementation of Solomon Islands’ commitments in the field of human rights, and regretted continued cases of corruption and of violence. It strongly urged Solomon Islands to pay attention to gender equality while designing policies.
Kiribati welcomed Solomon Islands’ commitment to the rights of its citizens, and welcomed the enactment of legislation relating to the family and to combatting sexual and gender violence.
Maldives appreciated Solomon Islands’ meaningful and constructive engagement in the Universal Periodic Review process. Maldives was pleased by Solomon Islands’ commitment to the issues of education, children and women’s rights, as well as to addressing the effects of climate change.
Allied Rainbow Communities International regretted that Solomon Islands had rejected recommendations relating to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, and referred to cases of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. It was particularly concerned about proposed constitutional reforms that would fail to protect these persons.
The President of the Council said that out of 139 recommendations received, Solomon Islands had accepted 89 while 50 were noted.
Concluding Remarks by Solomon Islands
BARRETT SALATO, Minister Counsellor and Chargé d’Affaire a.i. at the Permanent Mission of Solomon Islands to the United Nations Office at Geneva, in concluding remarks, assured the Council that all recommendations received by the Solomon Islands had been disseminated and assessed. Solomon Islands would continue its efforts for the protection of the rights of its citizens, and would continue to call for international assistance in that regard. He acknowledged the important support provided by the regional office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Fiji for the second Universal Periodic Review of Solomon Islands.
The Council then adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Solomon Islands.
Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Latvia
JANIS KARKLINS, Permanent Representative of Latvia, said the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review process had proved to be an extremely valuable tool for self-assessment and evaluation of progress since the country’s first review. The 127 recommendations Latvia had received addressed issues including adherence to international human rights instruments, domestic violence, human trafficking, and social integration. Regarding the recommendations concerning gender equality, Latvia had committed to promoting better political representation of women in elected positions. The area of eliminating discrimination and the fight against hate crimes was another field where the country had made several commitments. He noted that the Criminal Law provided for criminal liability for acts inciting national, ethnic, racial or religious hatred or enmity, including hate speech. As Latvia had received several recommendations on granting rights to non-citizens, he stressed that non-citizens enjoyed all social and cultural rights, as well as the majority of economic and political rights. The naturalization process had been simplified in accordance with international standards. More than 99 per cent of children born in Latvia in 2015 were citizens of Latvia. The country housed 178 stateless persons; in accordance with the 1954 Refugee Convention, Latvia provided them with protection as required by international obligations. He concluded by reaffirming Latvia’s unwavering commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Estonia commended Latvia for its constructive, open and transparent participation in the Universal Periodic Review process, and welcomed Latvia’s commitment to accede to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).
Kyrgyzstan welcomed Latvia’s acceptance of its recommendation concerning the rights of persons belonging to minorities, but regretted that Latvia had not accepted its recommendation to accede to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.
Norway thanked Latvia for accepting three of the recommendations it made, and for providing information about the recommendation concerning lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.
Pakistan welcomed Latvia’s acceptance of a number of recommendations, and commended the adoption of a new law on violence against women. Pakistan remained concerned about the situation of migrants, and urged Latvia to combat racism and hate speech.
Russian Federation regretted that Latvia had rejected recommendations to address discrimination against linguistic minorities, and to support non-governmental organizations working on this issue. It was concerned about cases of Islamophobia, and regretted that Latvia did not recognize the issues it faced with regard to the situation of ethnic minorities, including deprivation of citizenship, discrimination and xenophobia.
Albania welcomed effective measures in favour of ethnicities and national minorities’ engagement in public decision-making. It also welcomed Latvia’s engagement with the Universal Periodic Review and United Nations treaty bodies.
Council of Europe said that detention conditions were so poor that they could be considered to amount to cruel and inhumane treatment. This was aggravated by the lack of investigation regarding allegations of ill-treatment by police officers. It also expressed concerns about discrimination, either language-based or directed against “non-citizens”, sexual minorities or Roma persons.
British Humanist Association remained gravely concerned about the continuing legal and social discrimination to which lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons were subjected. Latvia, a member of the Council, was urged to reconsider its discriminatory laws and practices and to promote a positive image of sexual minorities.
Ombudsman’s Office of Latvia thanked Member States which had urged Latvia to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and establish a national preventive mechanism. By establishing such a mechanism, the State would be better able to prevent torture. The application of coercive measures was now prohibited. Granting citizenship to children of non-citizenship parents was not automatic, as both parents needed to agree; the legal framework in that regard would need to be improved.
The President informed that out of the 173 recommendations, Latvia had accepted 127, while 44 had been noted. Additional clarifications had been provided on two recommendations.
Concluding Remarks by Latvia
JANIS KARKLINS, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Latvia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, thanked Member States for their support and valuable comments and remarks. Latvia had restored its independence from the Soviet occupation in 1990, and there was clearly still room for improvement. Latvia remained committed to the Universal Periodic Review process. Latvia had partially accepted 44 recommendations, which were formally marked as “noted”; many of them contained more than one recommendation. Going into the third cycle, it should be seen what further improvements could be made to the Universal Periodic Review process.
For use of the information media; not an official record
HRC16/091E