Human Rights Council Adopts Universal Periodic Review Outcomes of Bulgaria, Marshall Islands, U.S. and Croatia

GENEVA, Switzerland, March 19 -- The United Nations Human Rights Council issued the following news:

The Human Rights Council this morning adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Bulgaria, Marshall Islands, United States and Croatia.

Speaking on the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Bulgaria were China, Cuba, Ethiopia, India, Libya, Morocco, Nepal, Russian Federation, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Nations Children's Fund, and Venezuela.

The following civil society organizations took the floor on the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Bulgaria: World Jewish Congress, International Lesbian and Gay Association, Advocates for Human Rights, and International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Speaking on the Universal Periodic Review outcome of the Marshall Islands were Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, South Africa, Tunisia, United Nations Population Fund, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, India, Israel and Libya.

The following civil society organizations took the floor on the Universal Periodic Review outcome of the Marshall Islands: Centre for Global Nonkilling, and International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.

Speaking on the Universal Periodic Review outcome of the United States were South Africa, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United Nations Population Fund, Venezuela, China, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chad and Belarus.

The following civil society organizations took the floor on the Universal Periodic Review outcome of the United States: Centre for Global Nonkilling, Edmund Rice International Limited, International Lesbian and Gay Association, International Association of Democratic Lawyers, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Program in International Human Rights Law, International Planned Parenthood Federation, American Civil Liberties Union, Centre for Constitutional Rights Inc., and Centre for Reproductive Rights, Inc.

Speaking on the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Croatia were Belarus, Botswana, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Ethiopia, India, Libya, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Russian Federation and Serbia.

The following civil society organizations took the floor on the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Croatia: World Jewish Congress, Human Rights House Foundation, Action Canada for Population and Development, International Humanist and Ethical Union, Asociacion HazteOir.org, United Nations Watch, and Advocates for Human Rights.

The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here: http://webtv.un.org/live/

All meeting summaries can be found here: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/meeting-summaries-list

Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council's forty-sixth regular session can be found here: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session46/Pages/46RegularSession.aspx

The Council will next meet at 3 p.m. this afternoon to consider the Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Liberia and Jamaica. It will then hear the presentation of reports by the Forum on Minority Issues, the Social Forum, the Special Procedures and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, before holding a general debate on item 5 of the agenda on human rights bodies and mechanisms.

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Bulgaria

Documentation

The Council has before it the Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review on Bulgaria (A/HRC/46/13) and the Addendum (A/HRC/46/13/Add.1).

Presentation by Bulgaria

YURI BORISSOV STERK, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the United Nations Office at Geneva, stated that during the review, 91 delegations had made statements and 233 recommendations had been received. Measures had already been or were being implemented. Bulgaria had decided to accept 193 of the recommendations received - around 82 per cent - and mark 24 as noted. There were a further 16 recommendations, the wording or the aim of which Bulgaria generally approved of and supported, but could only commit to their implementation in part, because of constitutional or other legal obstacles. Bulgaria had already adopted some key strategic documents that would lay the way ahead. They would serve as a foundation for taking concrete measures and for policy planning and hopefully would lead to concrete and tangible results.

DIANA KOVATCHEVA, Ombudsman of Bulgaria, noted that women were often victims of domestic violence, but anyone could become a victim. It was clear that COVID-19 had exacerbated this issue in Bulgaria. In April 2020, the Ministry of Justice had launched a process of drafting a new law on domestic violence - since then, a lot of efforts had been made, in consultation with civil society, the Ombudsman and other experts. Unfortunately, the draft law was never introduced for discussion in the Parliament, and the Ombudsman called on the Government to advance on this issue.

Discussion

Speakers congratulated Bulgaria on combatting domestic violence and promoting gender equality and suggested the adoption of measures to tackle racial discrimination and discrimination against minorities. Bulgaria was urged to continue working to address social exclusion and promote quality education. On the Government's efforts to fight COVID-19, focusing on necessary support to the health care system that extended to the most vulnerable was commended as well as changes in the law on gender equality. Some speakers noted that the human rights situation continued to be challenging, including overcrowding in prisons and a surge of anti-Semitism and neo-Nazi groups, despite concrete steps taken. Bulgaria's decisions to ratify the Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and to improve its juvenile justice system were welcomed. Bulgaria had to amend the Penal Code to include criminalisation for hate crimes based on sexual orientation. Speakers regretted that discrimination against Roma had been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President of the Council informed that out of 233 recommendations received, 193 enjoyed the support of Bulgaria, while 24 had been noted. Additional clarification had been provided on 16 recommendations.

Concluding Remarks

YURI BORISSOV STERK, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the United Nations Office at Geneva, expressed gratitude to the troika - Japan, Senegal and Slovakia, for their support. Bulgaria attached particular attention to combatting all manifestations of hate speech in the public space. Bulgaria was working on addressing domestic violence through its legislative and judicial systems as well as other means. Same sex marriages were not allowed, however, in 2020 the Supreme Court upheld the right of same sex couples to reside in Bulgaria. Bulgaria would continue to strengthen its administrative capacity and include civil society in its work.

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

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of the Marshall Islands

Documentation

The Council has before it the Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review on the Marshall Islands (A/HRC/46/14) and the Addendum (A/HRC/46/14/Add.1).

Presentation by the Marshall Islands

KINO KABUA, Chief Secretary and Chair of the National Human Rights Committee of the Marshall Islands, stated that the Marshall Islands had accepted the recommendations to ratify the remaining core human rights treaties and optional protocols, calling on the international community to provide assistance in this regard. Climate change was an existential threat for the Marshall Islands, and efforts requiring global resources were needed to effectively combat this crisis. The Marshall Islands had accepted the recommendations to effectively reduce human trafficking, and prevent the human trafficking of Marshallese individuals abroad, especially women and girls. The country had become a pillar of human rights advocacy in the Pacific - it remained dedicated to this, and would need continued support, collaboration and investment from the international community.

Discussion

Speakers commended the Marshall Islands for accepting the vast majority of the recommendations received. The adoption of the Climate Strategy 2050 and the country's leading voice on climate change on the international stage were particularly important. The threat of climate change to the ability of Marshall Islanders to enjoy their rights was acknowledged. Speakers commended the Marshall Islands' strong commitment to women's rights, including with regards to combatting violence against women. Efforts to enhance the National Committee on Human Rights were cited as a positive step, as well as the ratification of a number of important international human rights mechanisms. Speakers expressed alarm at the rate of sexually transmitted diseases and high rates of teenage pregnancies. They also called on the Marshall Islands to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

The President of the Council informed that out of 171 recommendations received, 161 enjoyed the support of the Marshall Islands and 10 had been noted.

Concluding Remarks

KINO KABUA, Chief Secretary and Chair of the National Human Rights Committee of the Marshall Islands, highlighted that as a small island nation, the Marshall Islands had ambitious goals to serve as a beacon of human rights in the Pacific, remaining on the frontlines in combatting the climate change crisis, and creating a more equal world through their legislation and policies.

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

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of the United States

Documentation

The Council has before it the Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review on the United States of America (A/HRC/46/15).

Presentation by the United States

LISA PETERSON, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, Department of State of the United States, stated that the Government had carefully reviewed the 347 recommendations it received during the review, accepting in whole or in part a total of 280 recommendations, or approximately 81 per cent. Ms. Peterson then summarised the approach of the United States in some key areas, and addressed the significant changes that had occurred since the last presentation in civil rights and discrimination; migration and child separation policy; criminal justice; rights of indigenous peoples; national security; treaties and international mechanisms; and the response to COVID-19. American values had come under intense pressure in the country in recent years - even pushed to the brink earlier this year, but the United States was committed to do more.

Discussion

Speakers appreciated that the United States had accepted all recommendations relating to combatting racial discrimination, xenophobia, incitement of hatred, systemic racism and reforming the criminal justice system. Ongoing efforts to address the issues of racial discrimination and the rights of minorities and to enhance tolerance were being upheld. Guantanamo had to be shut. Police brutality remained alarming and unilateral coercive measures were devastating. The intent to end the death penalty on a federal level was welcomed. Speakers urged the Biden Administration to invest in peace, the same way they invested in prevention and sadly in practice of war. The decision on "zero tolerance" policy for improper entry was welcomed but the Administration was struggling to respond to the sharp increase in the number of unaccompanied minors crossing the United States-Mexico border. The immigration system had myriad problems to resolve, from detention to systemic racism. Arms transfers to countries violating international law had to stop.

The President of the Council informed that out of 347 recommendations received, 263 enjoyed the support of the United States, while 67 had been noted. Additional clarification had been provided on 17 recommendations.

Concluding Remarks

LISA PETERSON, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, Department of State of the United States, said the United States was placing democracy and human rights at the centre of its foreign policy, because they were essential for peace, prosperity and stability. American leadership still mattered, and it would exercise it with humility. The United Nations was uniquely poised to take on shared global challenges.

The Council then adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of the United States.

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Croatia

Documentation

The Council has before it the Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review on Croatia (A/HRC/46/16) and the Addendum (A/HRC/46/16/Add.1).

Presentation by Croatia

VESNA BATISTIC KOS, Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, stated that Croatia had carefully reviewed all 224 recommendations in close cooperation with all relevant bodies. In total, Croatia had accepted 194 recommendations. The other 30 recommendations were noted, either because the issue addressed had already been implemented in the country or for some other reason explained in the Addendum. Croatia expanded on a variety of areas on which the recommendations focused, including a new data collection system on hate crime, new Operational Programmes for National Minorities, detailed COVID-19 response, newly formed crisis intervention teams for domestic violence cases and more. When dealing with migrants, police officers were trained and required to respect their human rights.

Discussion

Speakers asked Croatia to investigate reports about systematic abuse of migrants. It was unfortunate that 30 recommendations referring to this issue were not accepted. Hope was expressed that legislative efforts would be taken to address discrimination against Roma and migrants. Speakers welcomed efforts in addressing issues concerning persons with disabilities as well as in adopting anti-discrimination measures relating to women. Speakers hoped that the situation of intolerance facing the Serbian minority would be addressed. Attempts to criminalise the work of human rights defenders working with migrants through the broad interpretation of legal regulations were alarming. The Government should strengthen measures to prevent gender-based violence. It was deeply disappointing that the recommendation to guarantee legal and safe abortions for all women and girls was rejected. Some speakers said that the defamation law was being used to silence journalists.

The President of the Council informed that out of 224 recommendations received, 194 enjoyed the support of Croatia, while 30 had been noted.

Concluding Remarks

VESNA BATISTIC KOS, Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, stated that through Croatia's priorities for 2021 such as child and women's rights, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue, the death penalty and missing persons, the situation of human rights in Croatia would be continually advanced in line with the issued recommendations.

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