MIDDAY - Human Rights Council Adopts Outcomes of Universal Periodic Review of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Papua New Guinea, Tajikistan and Tanzania

The Human Rights Council in a midday meeting adopted the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Papua New Guinea, Tajikistan and Tanzania.

Speaking on the Universal Periodic Review of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were Brazil, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Jamaica, Maldives, Nepal, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Algeria, UN Women, United Nations Population Fund.

The following civil society organizations also took the floor on the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Advocates for Human Rights and United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation.

Speaking on the Universal Periodic Review Outcome of Papua New Guinea were UN Women, United Nations Population Fund, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Algeria, Bahamas, Botswana, China, Cuba, Fiji, Indonesia, and Maldives.

The following civil society organizations also took the floor on the Universal Periodic Review Outcome of Papua New Guinea: Centre Catholique International de Geneve, Advocates for Human Rights, Action Canada for Population Development, Civicus- World Alliance for Citizen’s Participation, Amnesty International, United Nations Watch, World Association for the School as an Instrument of Peace, and United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation.

Speaking on the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Tajikistan were Belgium, Burkina Faso, China, Cuba, India, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Nepal, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, UN Women, and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The following civil society organizations also took the floor on the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Tajikistan: Lawyers for Lawyers, Federation for Women and Family Planning, Action Canada for Population and Development, Swedish Association for Sexuality Education, International Commission of Jurists, Equality Now, and Advocates for Human Rights.

Speaking on the Universal Periodic Review Outcome of Tanzania were Egypt, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Russian Federation, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.

The following civil society organizations also took the floor on the Universal Periodic Review Outcome of Tanzania: Lutheran World Federation, Lawyers for Lawyers, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, Edmund Rice International Ltd, Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice delle Salesiane di Don Bosco , Rencontre africaine pour les droits de l’homme, Civicus – World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Federatie van Nederlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie Van Homoseksualiteit - COC Nederland , The Consortium for Street Children, and Maat for Peace Development and Human Rights Association.

The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council’s forty-ninth regular session can be found here.

The Council will resume its work at approximately 4 p.m. when it will take up the Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Eswatini, Antigua and Barbuda, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Presentation by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

RHONDA KING, Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations Office at Geneva, recognised the significant role that the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism played. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines remained committed to the establishment of a national human rights institution and would liaise with interested members of the international community to expedite its progress. An assessment would be performed as to whether the State had the capacity to allow for an open invitation to Special Procedures mandate-holders. The State had had positive experiences with Special Procedures mandate-holders, including the Special Rapporteur on issues of human rights and the environment. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines recognised the right of individuals to a clean, safe and sustainable environment, and supported all recommendations on human rights and the environment, with climate change recognised to be the greatest threat. The country remained committed to implementing policies on climate change mitigation, climate resilience and environmental protection, and to championing efforts in the international arena to address the climate crisis.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines would continue to combat human trafficking and exploitation in all its forms, particularly that of women and children within its borders, in coordination with regional and international partners. Its National Plan of Action for the prevention of the trafficking in persons was recently updated in 2020, to better achieve that objective. The country placed emphasis on economic, social, and cultural rights, and numerous programmes were in place to encourage socio-economic development, including investment in internships and entrepreneurship to eradicate poverty. The economy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had suffered greatly under the COVID-19 pandemic, the impacts of climate change, and the recent explosive eruption of the La Soufrière volcano. That had been felt most severely by vulnerable groups such as women, children and the indigent. The assistance of the international community, whether technical, monetary or otherwise, would be imperative in meeting the recommendations to which Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had committed today.

Discussion

In the discussion on the Universal Periodic Review outcome on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, speakers said the country had made progress in the protection of human rights, particularly when it came to efforts to maintain basic services at a constant level. The country had reduced poverty despite the global economic crisis and a series of natural disasters. The acceptance of recommendations was evidence of the commitment of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the protection and promotion of human rights, as was their strong commitment to the Universal Periodic Review process. The Government had implemented several policy- and legislative reviews and changes since the last review cycle.

A national human rights and monitoring mechanism had been established, and the Government should seek assistance from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to meet its national human rights obligations in that regard. The establishment of the Gender Equality Commission to end gender-based violence, and to carry out gender-related activities, was also a positive step. However, discriminatory social norms toward women remained entrenched, resulting in gender-based violence, employment discrimination, income disparity, and lack of political equality, made worse by climate change and natural disasters. The Government should develop a national sectional reproductive health strategy in order to ensure that all sectors of the population had access to reproductive health services.

The Vice-President of the Council informed that out of 156 recommendations received, 81 enjoyed the support of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and 75 were noted.

Concluding Remarks

RHONDA KING, Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations Office at Geneva, welcomed the opportunity to update the international community on the general situation of human rights in the country. The Universal Periodic Review process was instrumental in advancing the international human rights agenda, and important for States to engage in constructive dialogue among themselves and with other stakeholders. Noted recommendations could still be implemented and monitored, and in the State’s third cycle Universal Periodic Review national report, some noted recommendations were indeed partially implemented. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had steadily worked towards the progressive realisation of all its human rights commitment. Its development agenda, in keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals, placed human rights at its core, and many other national policies and programmes were drafted with a people-centred approach. The Government would work with its international partners and civil society on implementing the supported recommendations.

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Papua New Guinea

Presentation by Papua New Guinea

ELIAS WOHENGU, Acting Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Papua New Guinea, said that as a developing nation, the Government was well-aware of the gaps that still needed to be addressed to ensure effective protection and promotion of human rights for its citizens. Papua New Guinea supported recommendations on Treaty ratification and Optional Protocols, except those that were inconsistent with existing domestic laws. Work was currently underway to ensure the establishment of a National Human Rights Institution. The Government was committed to safeguarding the rights of the child and ensuring that necessary measures were in place to prevent their abuse and exploitation, including child early and forced marriage.

The Government was helping to improve the participation of women and girls in society through reviewing domestic policies such as the Women and Gender Equity Policy and Informal Economy Policy, to ensure meaningful participation of women and girls on issues that affect them. Papua New Guinea continued to receive global criticism on issues such as gender-based violence, women’s political representation, the death penalty and provision of equitable basic services to meet the needs of its people, and had made some positive achievements in relation to these. The establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption was a commitment that the Government wished to implement, aiming to ensure its full operation by 2023. Papua New Guinea was driven to achieve common good for its citizens, and needed the support of the United Nations and development partners, including civil society, to keep and sustain that balance in the immediate future, as well as over the long term.

Discussion

Speakers noted that Papua New Guinea had accepted the majority of the recommendations received, commending the country’s commitments to reduce poverty and to safeguard the socio-economic rights of its vulnerable groups. They also commended Papua New Guinea for its efforts to combat domestic- and sexual violence, and for its policies and actions regarding the fight against HIV/AIDS. Speakers further encouraged Papua New Guinea to pursue its efforts in the framework of its free education policy, remarking that the Government had accepted the recommendation to develop a national strategy on out-of-school children. That would ensure access to education, and enhance the greater participation of women in politics and decision-making. Speakers also commended Papua New Guinea for the recent successful establishment of an Independent Commission against Corruption. Sharing Papua New Guinea’s concerns over climate change challenges, speakers welcomed the measures taken in its comprehensive set of environmental protection laws and policies to address climate risks.

Other speakers regretted the many challenges that remained. Despite discussion over recent years to address the poor representation of women in public institutions, no women had been elected to Parliament in the 2017 elections. Equally worrying was the issue of gender-based violence. Regarding children's rights, lack of access to primary and secondary education was a major issue, due to the remote locations of many schools, and to their lack of resources and trained teachers. Laws that hindered access to safe and legal abortion needed be repealed, as well as laws that criminalised consensual sexual activity between adults. Speakers urged Papua New Guinea to meet its obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of LGBTQI people. Continued criminalisation of consensual sexual acts between men fuelled quasi-legal discrimination and stigmatisation against all LGBT people, including refugees within detention centres, and reinforced negative stereotypes. The Government was encouraged to end harmful cultural practices that violated the rights of women such as bride price, early and forced marriage and violence as a result of sorcery accusations.

The Vice-President of the Council informed that out of 161 recommendations received, 101 enjoyed the support of Papua New Guinea, while 60 had been noted.

Concluding Remarks

FRED SARUFA, Permanent Representative of Papua New Guinea to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said the Universal Periodic Review served as a catalyst to further improve the human rights situation in the country. Going forward, Papua New Guinea was committed to making every effort within its means to ensure the effective implementation of the agreed Recommendations, and also socialise them in a systemic way that would enable an inclusive, sustained and a whole-of-society approach. To that end, Papua New Guinea intended to formalise a National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMRF) on human rights. Another area being considered for future development and implementation was a National Universal Periodic Review Implementation Plan. As a developing country, Papua New Guinea was realistic about the resource constraints that continued to challenge achievement of its human rights objectives, and recognised the importance of genuine and durable multistakeholder partnership at all levels to foster and safeguard human rights.

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Tajikistan

Presentation by Tajikistan

JAMSHED KHAMIDOV, Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, recognised that the Universal Periodic Review was an important tool to verify compliance with international human rights obligations. Tajikistan had previously developed a national strategy through 2030 for the protection of human rights, based on the recommendations of the United Nations human rights bodies and the Sustainable Development Goals. The strategy included long-term goals and objectives, and provided for the development of progressive and uniform cross-sectoral policies for the protection of human rights. The recommendations of the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review would help Tajikistan improve its strategy. Tajikistan’s Commission on Ensuring Compliance with International Human Rights Obligations would play an important role in the implementation of the recommendations submitted to the country. The main task of the Commission was to provide assistance in implementation of the international legal obligations of Tajikistan in the human rights sphere.

The implementation of the recommendations would contribute to the achievement of the country's main priorities in the field of human rights protection. On the basis of the recommendations received, Tajikistan intended to further improve national legislation in order to effectively combat offences involving corruption. In that respect, particular attention would be given to ensuring the independence of law enforcement agencies investigating such cases. Measures would be developed to further support women's representation in government. Prevention of torture had also been under the scrutiny of the authorities. Torture was included in the category of grave and particularly grave crimes, and was not covered by the amnesty law. The penalty for torture had been increased to 15 years' imprisonment. In addition to those measures, Tajikistan was considering ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, and had already set up an interdepartmental working group under the Ombudsman to consider the issue.

Discussion

Speakers commended Tajikistan for its reforms at a legislative, institutional and political level, and for its cooperation with United Nations institutions. Speakers appreciated that Tajikistan had accepted the majority of recommendations addressed to it, including implementing a law prohibiting early and forced marriage, and stepping up efforts to combat racist hate speech. Tajikistan was commended for its amendments to a series of laws relating to human rights. Tajikistan had made active efforts to improve the rights of persons with disabilities, increase access to education, and eliminate and combat human trafficking, among other achievements. Speakers commended the adoption of the 2019—2022 National Action Plan and commended the country’s commitment to implementing a national human rights strategy. The inclusion of domestic violence and sexual harassment as specific offences in the criminal code was also commended.

Despite multiple reforms, the judiciary was not independent. Tajikistan was urged to release all human rights defenders or lawyers who had been wrongly detained in the course of their work, and to drop all charges against them. Speakers welcomed that Tajikistan had accepted recommendations aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. The Government should publish a clear timeline with steps toward abolishment of the death penalty. Speakers urged Tajikistan to address intersectional discrimination, and noted that the country had not yet reached the 30 per cent mark of political participation for women in politics. Tajikistan was urged to consider adopting several recommendations related to asylum-seekers and refugees, including issuing documentation to asylum-seekers and allowing all children born in Tajikistan to be issued documents, regardless of their parents’ nationality.

The President of the Council informed that out of 234 recommendations received, 180 enjoyed the support of Tajikistan, and 49 were noted. Additional clarification was provided on 5 recommendations, indicating which parts of the recommendations were supported and which parts were noted.

Concluding Remarks

JAMSHED KHAMIDOV, Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, stated that from the first days of its independence, Tajikistan had sought to build a democratic society in which human and civil rights and freedoms were of the highest value. Tajikistan was committed to fulfilling its international human rights obligations in good faith, and was ready for further cooperation in that regard. Tajikistan was grateful to the States that had submitted their recommendations. The implementation of those recommendations would further strengthen the human rights protection system in Tajikistan.

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Tanzania

Presentation by Tanzania

GEORGE B. SIMBACHAWENE, Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs of Tanzania, said Tanzania was a strong proponent of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism which brought together State actors, civil society and development partners. As the Government pursued the goal of realisation of human rights for all Tanzanians, the recommendations were given the highest consideration. All 252 recommendations were disseminated to State and non-State actors, including the National Human Rights Institution as well as civil society, in both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. As a result of broad-based consultations, Tanzania had accepted to implement 167 recommendations, which were in compliance with the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Constitution of Zanzibar.

The recommendations aligned with policies, laws and programmes which called for the promotion and protection of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, emerging human rights issues, anti-corruption efforts, environmental conservation and development priorities of Tanzania. The Government affirmed its commitment to implementing all the accepted recommendations, which had been deemed strategic and effective interventions for the promotion and protection of human rights. 65 recommendations had been noted; those were recommendations that were not in alignment with the Constitutions, policies, laws, traditions, beliefs and culture of Tanzania, or which required further consultations before making a conclusive decision. The Government strived to ensure that all Tanzanians were provided with equal civil, political, economic, social and cultural human rights.

Discussion

Speakers applauded the Government of Tanzania for progress made in strengthening its institutional frameworks for the promotion and protection of rights and fundamental freedoms. Strides had been made in the area of social development, including the introduction of fee-free primary education and remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers further commended Tanzania on the establishment of the National Commission for Human Rights, which was in accordance with the Paris Principles. Speakers noted steps taken to curb child labour, as well as the measures taken by the Government toward ensuring freedom of expression and the right to information, which included entering into dialogue with media practitioners and amending some pieces of legislation. Tanzania’s acceptance of close to 75 percent of the recommendations showed real commitment to further promoting and protect the rights of all persons on its territory. The acceptance of recommendations prioritised expenditures in health including specialised care and services for people living with albinism, as well as scaling up investment in education.

Other speakers took note of the challenges faced by Tanzania in implementing some of its human rights obligations under Article 12(3) of the African Charter which recognized the right to seek and obtain asylum in other countries, as well as the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Speakers regretted that Tanzania did not receive any recommendations on the rights of sex workers, urging the Government to repeal the Penal Code provisions criminalising acts associated with sex work, place a moratorium on the arrest and harassment of sex workers under vagrancy laws, and revise and harmonise national legislation in line with regional and international human rights instruments. Tanzanian authorities continued to weaponise the law to target the opposition and critical voices, using non-bailable offence provisions under the Criminal Procedure Act to detain people for unreasonable periods of time. The State should ensure accountability for election-related human rights violations and guarantee post-election human rights reforms to reverse the Government’s increasing repression and crackdown on civic space.

The Vice-President of the Council informed that out of 252 recommendations received, 167 enjoyed the support of Tanzania, while 65 had been noted. Additional clarification was provided on 20 recommendations, indicating which parts of the recommendations were supported and which parts were noted.

Concluding Remarks

GEORGE B. SIMBACHAWENE, Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs of Tanzania, said Tanzania continued to accord great significance to the Universal Periodic Review, as it played a key role in the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. Tanzania was committed to implementing the accepted recommendations, as they would have a direct impact on the realisation of human rights and sustainable development of the country. The Universal Periodic Review was a continuous process, and the Government would continue to address the remaining challenges through dialogue, in collaboration with all stakeholders. It would also continue to strengthen its internal mechanisms and promote engagement with all non-State actors and development partners. The Government, under the stewardship of Tanzania’s first female President, would meet the aspirations and objectives of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism during the coming fourth cycle.

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HRC22.044E