Human Rights Council adopts Universal Periodic Review outcomes of the Central African Republic and Monaco
March 2019: The Human Rights Council adopted the outcomes from the Universal Periodic Review of the countries of Central African Republic and Monaco.
Léopold Ismael Samba, Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic to the United Nations Office at Geneva, recalled that the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review was taking place at a decisive moment in the history of the Central African Republic.
Out of 207 recommendations, the Government had accepted 178 and taken note of 28. The accepted recommendations concerned the re-establishment of State authority, the search for peaceful solutions to the conflict, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and the fight against impunity.
Persisting Impunity
In the ensuing discussion, speakers commended the Government of the Central African Republic for its focus on promoting security, peace and national reconciliation. States encouraged the Government to view all recommendations as guides towards the attainment of human rights. Speakers also commended the country for putting in place mechanisms for preventing discrimination against women and children and for adopting measures to end the recruitment of children in armed conflicts.
Concern was raised that perpetrators still enjoyed impunity, which further threatened civilians, especially women and girls.
Speaking were China, Côte D’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Iraq, Madagascar, Philippines, Russian Federation and Senegal.
Also taking the floor were the following non-governmental organizations: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Amnesty International, Rencontre Africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme, Association of World Citizens, and International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
The President informed that out of 207 recommendations, the CAR government had accepted 178 and noted 28. The Council then adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcome for the Central African Republic.
Central African Republic is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Chad to the north, Sudan to the northeast, South Sudan to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south, the Republic of the Congo to the southwest and Cameroon to the west.
Country of Monaco
Carole Lanteri, Permanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said Monaco had accepted 72 out of 113 received recommendations, and noted 35.
Monaco government refused to express its position on six recommendations. It claimed the 35 noted recommendations and the six remaining recommendations were incompatible with the specificities of Monaco. The ratification of the Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court would require a profound reform of several legal standards, including the Constitution. The same applied to accession to some of the conventions of the International Labour Organization, according to the Monaco regime.
In the ensuing discussion, speakers were pleased with the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee for the protection of women’s rights. They also welcomed the steps taken by the Government for the empowerment of women and ensuring access to healthcare for all children. Delegations commended that free education had been made available and compulsory up to the age of 16. Monaco was urged to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as a matter of urgency and complete its commitment to disarmament.
Speaking were Madagascar, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Moldova, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Burkina Faso, China and Iraq.
Also taking the floor were the following non-governmental organizations: United Villages , Association of World Citizens, and International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.
The President informed that out of 113 received recommendations, 72 were noted. The Council then adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Monaco.
Monaco, a tiny independent city-state on France’s Mediterranean coastline known for its grand casinos, yacht-lined harbor and prestigious Grand Prix motor race running through Monaco’s streets once a year, has Monte-Carlo as its major district.
Chad, Malta and China are next
The Human Rights Council will next meet on Friday, 15 March at 9 a.m. to consider the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Belize, Chad, China and Malta. It will then hold a general debate on the Universal Periodic Review.
