Credit: UN Web TV
The human rights records of 14 States are under review during the 21st session of the Human Rights Council’s (HRC) Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group, being held in Geneva, Switzerland from January 19 to January 30, 2015. [OHCHR Press Release] Through this peer review process, United Nations Member States review one another’s overall human rights record every four and a half years, with input from civil society and UN human rights bodies.
Representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Guinea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Spain, Lesotho, Kenya, Armenia, Guinea-Bissau, Sweden, Grenada, Turkey, Guyana and Kuwait are before the Working Group presenting challenges and successes in fulfilling their human rights obligations, with a focus on efforts to implement recommendations presented to them at their first UPR cycle. [OHCHR Press Release]
The reports providing the basis for current review, as well as the timetable for the reviews, are available through the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). A live webcast and archived videos of each country’s review are available through UN Web TV and UPR-Info.
Kyrgyzstan
In its State report, Kyrgyzstan described the restoration of constitutional order and rule of law after the 2010 April revolution; the rights of ethnic minorities; freedom of movement and the situation of internal migrants; protections from torture and arbitrary deprivations of liberty; refugees and non-refoulement; preventing human trafficking; gender equality; security guarantees in the face of terrorist threats, extremism and drug trafficking; poverty reduction; and protections for children and people with disabilities. See generally, Human Rights Council, National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21: Kyrgyzstan, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/KGZ/1, 5 December 2014.
Several civil society organizations commented on the ongoing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. See Human Rights Council, Summary prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21: Kyrgyzstan, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/KGZ/3, 24 October 2014, paras. 10-12. Human Rights Watch drew attention to a May 2014 draft law that imposes criminal sanctions on the media and others for promoting “non-traditional sexual relations.” Id. at para. 13.
Earlier in 2014, a group of UN human rights experts called on Kyrgyzstan to reject the bill, urging the State to instead fight against all forms of discrimination and violence in the country. [OHCHR Press Release] Although not yet passed, the draft bill has reportedly already made the atmosphere in Kyrgyzstan more threatening for members of the LGBT community. [Huffington Post]
The national report, summary of information from civil society organizations, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Kyrgyzstan.
Kiribati
Kiribati reported on a new initiative to end sexual and gender based violence; protections for those with disabilities; the national framework for addressing climate change; legislative and policy reforms; efforts to raise rights awareness; gender and inequality; children’s rights; health, education and environmental initiatives; and requests for support in reaching commitments for vulnerable groups. See generally, Human Rights Council, National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21: Kiribati, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/KIR/1, 4 November 2014.
The national report, summary of information from civil society organizations, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Kiribati.
Guinea
In its national report, Guinea addressed efforts to ensure gender equality and prevent gender-based violence; protections for children; efforts to ensure the right to life and freedom from torture; the administration of justice, fair trial and efforts to end impunity; media safety; poverty reduction; educational initiatives; compliance with treaty body reporting requirements and educating security forces on human rights. See generally, National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21: Kenya, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/KEN/1, 6 November 2014.
The national report, summary of information from civil society organizations, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Guinea.
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Laos detailed its efforts to promote development and reduce poverty; successes and challenges in clearing unexploded landmines; the right to work; educational initiatives; health care; measures for allocating land for development and compensating those affected by development initiatives; the right to life, liberty and security of person; the right to be free from torture; the right to freedom of expression and association; rights of women and children; rights of ethnic groups; the rights of those with disabilities; assistance for trafficking victims; and the need for assistance in reducing poverty. See generally, National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21: Lao People’s Democratic Republic, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/LAO/1, 5 November 2014.
The national report, summary of civil society organization information, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Laos.
Spain
In its report, Spain described human rights improvements to its institutional and legislative frameworks; efforts to combat discrimination, racism, xenophobia and related intolerance; the elimination of gender-based discrimination; combatting trafficking; immigrant rights; protections for migrant children; the right to asylum; migrant detention centers; effort to prevent and investigate torture and ill-treatment; access to justice and protection of victims; children’s rights; efforts to align domestic legislation with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the right to education, health and housing; the Historical Memory Act, which allocates benefits to relatives of Spanish citizens who died during the civil war; and recent efforts to eradicate the death penalty. See generally, Human Rights Council, National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21: Spain, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/ESP/1, 10 November 2014.
The national report, summary of information from civil society organizations, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Spain.
Lesotho
Lesotho discussed its socio-economic development strategies; efforts to combat trafficking of women and gender based violence; gender equality; women and children’s health initiatives; children’s rights; initiatives to combat corruption in the judiciary; judicial reforms; achievements and best practices; challenges and constraints—including the high rates of HIV/AIDS; key national priorities, including economic growth and infrastructure development; and its needs for technical assistance and capacity building. See generally, Human Rights Council, National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21: Lesotho, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/LSO/1, 29 October 2014.
The national report, summary of information from civil society organizations, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Lesotho.
Kenya
In its national report, Kenya addressed its new constitution; reforms to the judiciary, police and prisons; women’s rights; its Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission; the status of those internally displaced by the 2008 post election violence; protections for human rights advocates; torture prevention; anti corruption efforts; freedom of information and expression; non-discrimination measures; child protection initiatives; persons with disabilities; water governance; programs to reduce hunger; education initiatives; housing; protections for indigenous and minority communities; gender equality; measures to combat terrorism; Al-Shabaab; unemployment; poverty and hunger; and environmental degradation. See generally, Human Rights Council, National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21: Kenya, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/KEN/1, 6 November 2014.
Kenya’s report comes as Kenyan leaders have faced prosecution before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes committed in the post-election violence of 2008. The ICC Prosecutor dropped all charges against Kenya’s President Kenyatta in December 2014, amid allegations that Kenya had not fully cooperated with the ICC prosecution. [International Business Times; BBC] The case against President Kenyatta’s deputy, William Ruto, continues, but the dismissal of Kenyatta’s case represented a blow to the ICC and to the victims of the 2008 violence. [BBC; Al Jazeera] The Committee against Torture (CAT) urged Kenya to cooperate more fully with the ICC Prosecutor. See Human Rights Council, Compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21: Kenya, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/KEN/2, 12 November 2014, para. 32. Several human rights organizations echoed CAT’s appeal. See Human Rights Council, Summary prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in accordance with paragraph 15(c) of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21: Kenya, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/KEN/3, 27 October 2014 at para. 25.
The national report, summary of information from civil society organizations, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Kenya.
Armenia
Armenia described initiatives related to: judicial reform; gender equality; national minorities; children’s rights; the right to education; health care; an ongoing propaganda war allegedly conducted by Azerbaijan against Armenians; Turkey and Azerbaijan’s blockade; and genocide prevention. See generally, Human Rights Council, National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21: Armenia, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/ARM/1, 30 October 2014.
The national report, summary of information from civil society organizations, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Armenia.
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau’s national report addressed judicial reforms; strategies for improving access to justice; prison laws; the humanization of the prison system; illegal detention, torture and ill-treatment; investigations into murders of politicians and members of the armed forces; reforms to the defense and security sectors; protections for women and children; health and education; strategies for poverty reduction; and efforts to combat drug trafficking. See generally, Human Rights Council, National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21: Guinea-Bissau, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/GNB/1, 9 January 2015.
The national report, summary of information from civil society organizations, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Guinea-Bissau.
Sweden
Sweden discussed efforts to combat discrimination; initiatives for individuals with disabilities; LGBT rights; religious discrimination; indigenous rights; measures for Roma; gender equality; ending gender based violence; hate crimes; health care rights for asylum seekers and undocumented migrants; children’s rights; sex tourism and human trafficking; weapons trade; children with disabilities; torture; and international aid. See generally, Human Rights Council, National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21: Sweden, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/SWE/1, 14 November 2014.
The national report, summary of information from civil society organizations, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Sweden.
Grenada
Grenada’s national report is not available online. Grenada was asked to provide information on measures to end discrimination against LGBT individuals; measures to reduce domestic and gender based violence; and measures to combat human trafficking. See Advance Questions to Grenada and Addenda 1 and 2.
The summary of information from civil society organizations, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Grenada.
Turkey
Turkey described anti-discrimination efforts; minority protections; freedom of conscience and religion and dialogue with different faith groups; freedom of expression, the media and the internet; the right to liberty and security of person; access to justice; the right to peaceful assembly and association; prohibitions on torture and ill-treatment; the right to education; gender equality; children’s rights and juvenile justice; rights of persons with disabilities; refugees and asylum seekers; human trafficking; and human rights education. See generally, Human Rights Council, National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21: Turkey, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/TUR/1, 30 October 2014.
The national report, summary of information from civil society organizations, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Turkey.
Guyana
Guyana’s national report is not available online. Guyana was asked to provide information on the establishment of an independent national human rights institution; steps to abolish the death penalty; measures to ensure LGBT rights; efforts to combat gender based and domestic violence; investigations into allegations of excessive police force; the situation of indigenous peoples; and efforts to ensure media freedom. See Advance Questions to Guyana and Addenda 1 and 2.
The summary of information from civil society organizations, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Guyana.
Kuwait
Kuwait described national mechanisms for promoting and protecting human rights; shelters for domestic workers; protections for individuals with disabilities; women’s rights; domestic violence; environmental protections; efforts to combat trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants; children’s rights; family courts and family reconciliation centers; protections for the elderly; the death penalty; juvenile justice; religious freedoms; expatriate labor and protections for domestic workers; narcotics; health care; mine clearance; human rights education; and external assistance for developing countries. See generally, Human Rights Council, National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21: Kuwait, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/KWT/1, 3 November 2014.
Civil society organizations highlighted the need for reforms to better protect domestic workers. See Human Rights Council, Summary prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, UN Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/21/KWT/3, 29 October 2014, para. 28. Female domestic workers are frequently perceived as “sex objects” and slaves. Id. Human Rights Watch emphasized that migrant domestic workers have been excluded from a new private sector labor law, leaving them “subject to the whim of their employer.” Id. at para. 65.
The pressure from these organizations may be bearing fruit, as several Gulf States—including Kuwait—recently drafted a new standard employment contract for domestic workers that would limit working hours, guarantee time off, and ensure freedom of movement. [Middle East Eye] The pending legislation signals Kuwait’s efforts to respond to international pressure to reform labor laws and better protect labor rights. [Financial Times]
The summary of information from civil society organizations, compilation of UN human rights reports, and questions submitted in advance by other States are available on the UPR second cycle reporting page for Kuwait.
Additional Information
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