Human Rights Council Adopts outcomes of Universal Periodic Review of Angola, Iran and Madagascar

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Human Rights Council adopts outcomes of Universal Periodic Review of Angola, Iran and Madagascar
Source: United Nations Human Rights Council
Date: 10 Jun 2010
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Human Rights Council
AFTERNOON 10 June 2010

Decides on Technical Extension of Mandate of Independent Expert on Sudan to End of September Session
The Human Rights Council this afternoon adopted the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Angola, Iran and Madagascar.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Council decided to proceed with a technical extension of the mandate of the Independent Expert on Sudan until the end of the fifteenth session of the Council to enable an interactive dialogue with him.

Georges Rebello Chickoty, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Angola, said that 166 recommendations were made which were related to international conventions and the Government had been encouraged to accede to various international instruments for protecting and promoting human rights. On the procedure mechanisms, stress was laid on the importance that Angola invited Special Rapporteurs more frequently. Mr. Chikoty explained that following national independence Angola had lived through diverse difficult periods but was today beginning a new cycle that was characterized by a new Constitution that marked the end of Angola's transition phase and definitely established the idea of a democratic rule-based State and privileged human rights as a factor of strength.

In the discussion on Angola, many speakers congratulated Angola on the achievements registered since the restoration of peace and the end of the civil war in 2002. Gains had been made in development and the fight against poverty, combating discrimination, and the protection of the rights of women and children. It was noted with satisfaction that Angola had accepted the majority of recommendations, particularly those on eradicating poverty, reforming its judicial system, humanizing the prison system, and human rights education and training. Speakers urged Angola to reconsider its non-acceptance of the recommendation regarding decriminalization of consensual same-sex activity between adults.

Speaking in the general debate on the Universal Periodic Review of Angola were United States, Algeria, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Cuba, Sudan, Morocco, Mozambique, Belgium, Nigeria and South Africa. Also taking the floor were the following non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Recontre Africaine pour la defense des droits de l'homme, Organisation pour la Communication en Afrique et de Promotion de la Coopeartion Economique Internationale, HIV/AIDS Legal Network, and Conectas Direitos Humanos.

Mohammad Javad Larijani, Secretary-General of the High Council for Human Rights of Iran, said that the Universal Periodic Review had provided a unique opportunity to review Iran's human rights achievements. From the total of 188 recommendations, 123 had been accepted, 45 had not enjoyed the support of Iran and 20 had been taken back to Tehran for further review. Iran said that the Human Rights Council must be the focal point of reliance, hope and participation for all peoples and governments to address human rights issues and in that context Universal Periodic Review constituted a forum for dialogue, cooperation and positive minded engagement. The human rights policy of
Iran had continuously emphasized the significance of interactive and cooperative approach as well as avoidance of confrontation, double standards and politicization.

In the discussion on Iran, some speakers welcomed the progress Iran made, such as in women's rights, protection of children, improvement of living conditions of the people and further development of the socio-political and judicial system. Speakers condemned human rights violations perpetrated after the elections of June 2009 and the post-electoral repression. Iran had accepted many important recommendations from the international community, including allowing freedom of expression, freedom of the media, and of assembly, and the Government should live up to and implement these commitments.

Speaking in the general debate on the Universal Periodic Review of Iran were United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Kuwait, China, Pakistan, Algeria, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Venezuela, and Cuba. Also taking the floor were the following NGOs: Baha'i International Community, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, CIVICUS- World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Verein Sudwind Entwicklungspolitik, Democracy Coalition Project Inc., International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, Rencontre Africaine pour la defense des droits de l'homme, Charitable Institute for Protecting Social Victims, and Child Foundation.

Guy Rajemison Rakotomaharo, Permanent Representative of Madagascar to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said during the examination of the report of Madagascar, 84 recommendations were formulated, of which 65 were accepted, 2 rejected, and 17 remained, on such issues as the resolution of the crisis, the opening of an independent investigation into the events linked to the crisis, the immediate freeing of political prisoners, abolition of capital punishment, the eradication of discrimination towards descendents of slaves and the caste system, the implementation of a mechanism of prevention of arbitrary detention. Aware of the dangers engendered by the continuance of the political, economic and social impasse, Madagascar considered that there was a need for arbitrage in the form of free and transparent elections.

In the discussion on Madagascar, speakers repeated the call for the transitional institutions foreseen in the Maputo agreement be put in place and that credible elections were held. Madagascar was invited to open a credible and independent process for investigating deaths and the events surrounding the March 2009 military coup. A speaker was concerned about the impact of the crisis on unemployment and said that some 500,000 people were affected.

Speaking in the general debate on the Universal Periodic Review of Madagascar were United States and Norway. Also taking the floor were the following NGOs: Amnesty International, Indian Movement Tupaj Amaru, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and International Federation of ACAT.

The next meeting of the Council will be on Friday, 11 June at 10 a.m., when it is scheduled to consider the Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Iraq, Gambia and Egypt.
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