31/4 Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review - Federated States of Micronesia

Human Rights Council Thirty-first session

Agenda item 6

Universal periodic review

Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review*

Federated States of Micronesia

* The annex is being circulated in the language of submission only.

Contents

Page

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3

I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process ......................................................................... 3

A. Presentation by the State under review .................................................................................... 3

B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review ................................................. 5

II. Conclusions and/or recommendations .............................................................................................. 11

Annex

Composition of the delegation ......................................................................................................... 18

Introduction

1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance

with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-third session from 2 to 13

November 2015. The review of the Federated States of Micronesia was held at the 1st

meeting on 2 November 2015. The delegation of the Federated States of Micronesia was

headed by the Permanent Representative of the Federated States of Micronesia to the

United Nations, Jane J. Chigiyal. At its 10th meeting, held on 6 November 2015, the

Working Group adopted the report on the Federated States of Micronesia.

2. On 13 January 2015, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of

rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of the Federated States of Micronesia: China,

Côte d’Ivoire and Estonia.

3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution

5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents

were issued for the review of the Federated States of Micronesia:

(a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with

paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/23/FSM/1);

(b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High

Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b)

(A/HRC/WG.6/23/FSM/2);

(c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c)

(A/HRC/WG.6/23/FSM/3).

4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Germany, Lichtenstein, Mexico, Slovenia

and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to the

Federated States of Micronesia through the troika. These questions are available on the

extranet of the Working Group.

I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process

A. Presentation by the State under review

5. The head of the delegation of the Federated States of Micronesia, Permanent

Representative of the Federated States of Micronesia, Jane J. Chigiyal, welcomed the

opportunity to appear before the Working Group of the Universal Periodic Review to share

the progress the Federated States of Micronesia had made and the challenges it faced in

improving the livelihoods of its people and in addressing the many recommendations made

in the previous review cycle.

6. She stressed that, in preparation for the second review, the Government had created

an interdepartmental task force, which included civil society, to take up the review and

analysis of the recommendations and pledges made in the first review. The task force

undertook wide consultations in the development of the second national report for the

review. A number of national and State consultations had been held, laying the groundwork

for the establishment of the task force in 2015. A matrix had been developed to assess the

work done and work needed to move the country towards its commitments. In that regard,

she thanked development partners, regional agencies and the United Nations entities that

had provided public awareness activities, guidance, advice and funding support in the

drafting and completion of the second national report.

7. The head of the delegation noted that the Federated States of Micronesia was a

federation comprised of four autonomous States: Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap, with

Pohnpei State being the seat of the Government.

8. She stated that the Constitution was the supreme law of the land, which guaranteed

the rights to life, liberty, equal protection and due process of the law. It also guaranteed

non-discrimination, especially on the basis of sex, race, ancestry, national origin, language

or social status, as well as the right to property. It provided for freedoms of expression,

peaceful assembly, association, petition, non-establishment of religion and its free exercise.

It protected the rights of persons with disabilities, the rights of defendants through the

presumption of innocence, and the right against self-incrimination and double jeopardy. It

also prohibited capital punishment.

9. She emphasized that the Federated States of Micronesia was a young nation with a

population estimated to be 102,000. There were 607 islands in total, 76 inhabited islands

and 531 uninhabited islands spread over a longitudinal distance of approximately 1,549

nautical miles, just north of the equator. The widely dispersed islands presented a unique

challenge to governance and service delivery.

10. She emphasized that since the previous review, the Government had made every

effort to review the remaining core human rights treaties. The treaty ratification and

implementation process continued to be a challenge for the Government, not only with

human rights treaties but with any treaty deemed important to the nation. The reporting and

financial obligations would continue to command the attention of the Federated States of

Micronesia; the country had learned from experience about the importance of a bottom-up

approach, which was naturally slow but ensured that the work was comprehensive and

inclusive.

11. She informed the Council that the Federated States of Micronesia had completed the

ratification process for the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child

on the involvement of children in armed conflict and had submitted its report under the

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Part of the

reservation to that Convention concerning maternity leave had been addressed through

Public Law 16-15, which provided that the national Government granted paid maternity

leave of up to six weeks. The Family Health and Safety Study had been completed, the

Child Protection Baseline Report had been launched, Chuuk State had passed the Age of

Consent Law, the Nationwide Integrated Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change

Policy and the Trafficking in Persons Act had been adopted and the Convention on the

Rights of Persons with Disabilities had been signed.

12. She highlighted the fact that the role of women in society continued to evolve. The

Federated States of Micronesia had seen a number of women in the highest positions in the

public service and thus involved in decision-making. Women continued to be prominent in

the private sector. Women were more visible at the state and municipal levels, where the

direct impacts of their positive influence were felt at the grass-roots level.

13. She added that in 2015, a number of women had contested seats in the national

Congress. Temporary special measures had become a topic of discussion at the biannual

Women’s Conferences and among the members of the national Congress in public hearings

at which the issue had first been introduced, then taken up in subsequent years. The issue

would continue to be a topic of much debate among the women of the Federated States of

Micronesia. Public awareness campaigns about the importance of women’s participation

and contribution to decision-making in all branches and at all levels of government and

society would be an ongoing activity.

14. She noted that in September 2015, the international community had adopted the

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, envisioned to be transformative and to leave no

one behind. The National Strategic Development Plan continued to guide the social and

economic development efforts of the Federated States of Micronesia. The Federated States

of Micronesia was of the view that human rights were central to any effort to achieve

sustainable development. The Government was working towards building on the unfinished

work of the Millennium Development Goals and updating, mainstreaming and harmonizing

the National Strategic Development Plan. In that regard, it was worth noting that a number

of national policies, such as the Youth Policy and the Disability Policy, would expire in

2015 or 2016 and that the Federated States of Micronesia would start preparing its second

report under the Convention on the Rights of the Child that month.

15. She emphasized that the Federated States of Micronesia believed that that approach

would ensure ownership and accountability and that it looked to international development

partners for their technical and financial assistance in its effort to collect and analyse data,

advocacy work on human rights and appropriate policy and legislative reforms.

16. She stated that the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on

Climate Change had confirmed that climate change was a result of human-induced

activities. She emphasized that climate change had created frequent and intensified

typhoons in the region, noting that early in 2015, typhoons Maysak and Dolphin had hit

three out of four States in the Federation — Chuuk State, Yap State and Pohnpei State in

late March, early April and May respectively. The typhoons had affected 30,000 people,

threatened food and water security, and destroyed infrastructure. There had been a number

of casualties, and families had had to be relocated so that students could finish their

education during the school year. That had set back the Government’s efforts to continue to

improve the livelihood of its people. For a small island country like the Federated States of

Micronesia, it was difficult to talk about human rights without touching on the link between

the adverse impacts of climate change and the right to develop, live and exist as a nation.

B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review

17. During the interactive dialogue, 38 delegations made statements. Recommendations

made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.

18. The Philippines noted with appreciation the adoption of the Trafficking in Persons

Act and the commitment of the Federated States of Micronesia to intensifying its efforts to

protect women and children from domestic violence. It noted that the Federated States of

Micronesia had been vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, which presented

a challenge to the realization of the human rights of its people.

19. Poland commended the Government for the progress made in the coverage of

sanitation and for reducing infant and under-five mortality. It noted the efforts to reduce the

risk posed by sexually transmitted infections and HIV through preventive health services.

Poland was concerned about the high rate of human trafficking and the lack of federal

legislation on domestic violence.

20. Portugal welcomed the enactment of an anti-trafficking law. However, it remained

concerned at the prevalence of cases of violence against women. It welcomed the

ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the

sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

21. Sierra Leone commended the Federated States of Micronesia for the adoption of the

Trafficking in Persons Act and for guaranteeing gender parity in access to education. It

encouraged the Government to put in place legislation ensuring that the minimum age of

consent for marriage was the same for boys and girls, and to increase the access of women

to reproductive health-care services, especially in all rural communities. It also encouraged

the Government to submit its overdue report under the Convention on the Rights of the

Child and to seek further technical assistance in order to meet its obligations under the

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child

prostitution and child pornography.

22. Slovenia acknowledged the efforts to eliminate discrimination and all forms of

violence against women and children, including through the national plan of action to

promote gender equality and strategies to address gender-based violence. Nonetheless,

Slovenia noted with concern that domestic violence continued to be one of the primary

human rights issues facing the country.

23. Spain recognized the challenges faced and efforts made by the Federated States of

Micronesia to overcome the effects of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights,

noting the Nationwide Integrated Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Policy. It

highlighted the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the

Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and congratulated

Micronesia for initiatives such as the Family Health and Safety Study.

24. Timor-Leste acknowledged the efforts and commitments set forth in the National

Strategic Development Plan 2004-2023, which outlined key development sectors, including

climate change awareness programmes and mitigation strategies.

25. The United Kingdom acknowledged the capacity and resource challenges facing the

Government, especially given the impact of climate change. It welcomed efforts to

eliminate violence against women and children and the ratification of the Optional Protocol

to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and

child pornography. The United Kingdom noted with concern increasing instances of

transnational crime, including forced labour and human trafficking, and encouraged the

Government to seek technical assistance from the United Nations bodies in tackling those

issues.

26. The United States of America recognized the advances made by the Government to

combat trafficking in persons, including the passage of national and state anti-trafficking-

in-persons laws. It stressed the need to enforce those laws, including by prosecuting and

convicting those engaged in trafficking within its maritime borders, as well as the need to

enact laws against domestic violence.

27. Uruguay highlighted the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on

the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and

the completion of the process for the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention

on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. It welcomed

the fact that the Government was considering the ratification of the International

Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their

Families and the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.

Uruguay commended the Government for its efforts to develop a national gender policy.

28. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela noted the efforts of the Federated States of

Micronesia to comply with its human rights obligations, despite the numerous challenges it

faced owing to the geographical dispersion of the islands and to climate change. It

highlighted the ratification of several international instruments and the adoption in 2012 of

the Trafficking in Persons Act. It appreciated the efforts made to implement the review

recommendations, which required technical assistance and international cooperation, as

requested by the country.

29. Algeria congratulated the Federated States of Micronesia for the adoption in 2012 of

the Trafficking in Persons Act. It expressed appreciation for the national policies,

particularly the National Strategic Development Plan, the national policy for gender

equality, and the policy on persons with disabilities. Algeria highlighted the efforts made in

the framework of the Nationwide Integrated Disaster Risk Management and Climate

Change Policy.

30. Argentina thanked the Federated States of Micronesia for its national report and

recognized the progress made since the last review.

31. Australia congratulated Kosrae State on establishing its Family Protection Act in

2014, the first law to criminalize domestic violence in the Federated States of Micronesia,

and welcomed the commitment to fostering gender equality. Australia was pleased to be

working in partnership with the Federated States of Micronesia through the Pacific Women

Shaping Pacific Development programme, which aimed to improve the political, economic

and social opportunities for Pacific women.

32. Brazil welcomed the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the

Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, along

with continuing improvements in statistical data concerning the protection of children. It

encouraged the Federated States of Micronesia to ratify the Optional Protocol to the

Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict.

Brazil commended increased national efforts to promote gender equality. It particularly

appreciated the publication of the first report on violence against women. Brazil remained

concerned, nonetheless, that no women had ever been elected to the Congress of the

Federated States of Micronesia.

33. Canada welcomed the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the

Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. It

encouraged the Federated States of Micronesia to continue to build its capacity to address

human rights issues, specifically discrimination against women, domestic violence and

child neglect. It welcomed the commitment to the principles of equality and non-

discrimination. However, Canada noted that legal and social discrimination persisted,

particularly in the area of sexual orientation. It encouraged the Federated States of

Micronesia to adopt measures to address remaining gaps.

34. China noted with appreciation that the Government had put in place a strategic plan

for economic development, attached great importance to the protection of the rights of

children, young people and women, and had taken measures to combat human trafficking.

It noted the adoption of preventive measures against disaster risks and climate change.

35. Costa Rica recognized the leadership of the Federated States of Micronesia in the

abolition of the death penalty. It noted challenges faced owing to climate change, and

encouraged the Federated States of Micronesia to strengthen its capacity in that area,

highlighting the importance of taking into account human rights concerns in its responses to

the issue. It urged the Federated States of Micronesia to put in place a programme for

human rights education that would facilitate efforts to tackle the cultural obstacles that

could affect women’s equal enjoyment of rights in society.

36. Cuba noted that the Federated States of Micronesia consisted of 607 islands, which

had suffered the negative consequences of climate change. It highlighted progress in human

rights, in particular the policy on disabilities, the ratification of several international human

rights instruments and the adoption of the Trafficking in Persons Act. Cuba urged the

international community to respond positively to the request for assistance from the

Federated States of Micronesia to coordinate its human rights initiatives at the national and

state levels.

37. Cyprus commended the Government for its efforts to ensure the enjoyment of

human rights. In particular, it welcomed the adoption of the Trafficking in Persons Act, as

well as the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the

Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

38. Denmark noted that the Federated States of Micronesia had supported the

recommendations from the first review cycle to ratify the Convention against Torture and

Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and requested information

on the specific steps that had been taken to honour that commitment. Denmark also

highlighted the fact that the Convention against Torture Initiative stood ready to explore

avenues to assist the Government in making progress in that regard.

39. Djibouti welcomed the efforts made by the Government to strengthen the protection

of human rights, as well as the measures taken to implement the recommendations received

during the first review cycle.

40. Estonia commended the Federated States of Micronesia for meeting its obligations

through the incorporation of human rights principles into national policies. Estonia

welcomed the first research efforts taken by the Federated States of Micronesia to develop

comprehensive information on violence against women, and encouraged it to translate the

collected data and findings into national legislation in order to better protect women and

children from violence, including gender-based violence. Estonia also encouraged the

Federated States of Micronesia to continue its efforts to become party to all the main

international human rights instruments and to cooperate with the special procedures by

issuing a standing invitation.

41. Fiji noted the work of the Federated States of Micronesia towards the adoption of a

national gender policy, and the completion of the 2014 Family and Health and Safety Study

on the prevalence of gender-based violence. Fiji stated that its experience had been similar

to that of the Federated States of Micronesia in relation to the intersection between custom,

customary attitudes and gender inequality, and that its own approach had been to

mainstream gender and to ensure that legislation removed barriers to reporting on gender-

based violence. Fiji also recognized that domestic violence and the abuse of children within

the family remained largely unreported as a result of social, cultural and institutional

barriers.

42. With respect to the issue of ratification of the remaining core human rights

instruments, the head of the delegation reiterated that the Federated States of Micronesia

had prepared a matrix on implementation that aimed to identify responsible government

departments or agencies for such implementation and focus areas.

43. Regarding submission of the report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, she

confirmed that the Federated States of Micronesia would be starting to prepare its second

report under the Convention on the Rights of the Child in November 2015. There was a

need to focus resources on the Child Protection Baseline Report, which would help identify

the key areas on which the Federated States of Micronesia needed to focus and to which it

needed to direct resources.

44. With respect to the issue of violence against women, she stated that, in order to

implement the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of

Discrimination against Women, the Federated States of Micronesia believed that the Family

Health and Safety Study that had been completed in October would help the country to

gather information and focus attention and resources on the relevant areas.

45. With regard to areas requiring constitutional amendment, the head of the delegation

stated that constitutional amendments would be made subject to the national constitutional

amendment process.

46. The head of delegation also highlighted the need for technical cooperation, which

would enable the Federated States of Micronesia to address its weaknesses in public

education and advocacy work on human rights issues.

47. France commended the Federated States of Micronesia for acceding to the Optional

Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child

prostitution and child pornography. It welcomed the adoption of an action plan to combat

trafficking in persons.

48. Georgia commended the Government for introducing the Nationwide Integrated

Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Policy and the climate change law. It

welcomed the adoption of the Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, as well as the ratification

of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and

the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

49. Germany noted the progress made, such as the ratification of the Optional Protocol

to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and

child pornography, the protection afforded to victims of human trafficking and the

protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. Germany also appreciated the

Government’s commitment to combat domestic and sexual violence at the national and

state levels.

50. Indonesia commended the Federated States of Micronesia for signing the

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and adopting the Trafficking in

Persons Act and the Nationwide Integrated Disaster Risk Management and Climate Policy.

Indonesia welcomed the submission in June 2015 of the report of Micronesia under the

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Indonesia

noted the measures taken to address violence against women and the increased

representation of women in leadership and decision-making positions at the local and

national levels. Indonesia supported the development of a national gender policy. Indonesia

acknowledged the challenges faced by the Federated States of Micronesia, including the

effects of climate change and the risk of disaster.

51. Ireland commended the Federated States of Micronesia for ratifying the Optional

Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child

prostitution and child pornography and for completing its national procedures for the

ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the

involvement of children in armed conflict. It urged the Government to ratify the other core

international human rights instruments, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and

Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Ireland appreciated the efforts being made to tackle violence against women, including the

2014 Family Health and Safety Study. Ireland encouraged the Federated States of

Micronesia to use the recommendations made in the Study to formulate a comprehensive

national policy to tackle violence against women. Ireland urged the Federated States of

Micronesia to amend its laws to ensure the equal protection of all citizens from

discrimination on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.

Ireland regretted that progress had not yet been made on implementing the

recommendations that had been accepted from the previous review cycle to establish a

national human rights institution.

52. Israel congratulated the Federated States of Micronesia for the progress made since

the last review, including the launching and planning of several national policies, such as

the National Youth Policy, the National Policy on Disability and the National Policy on

Gender. Israel commended the Federated States of Micronesia for the important research

initiatives it had taken, such as the Child Protection Baseline Report and the Family Health

and Safety Study. Israel also commended the Federated States of Micronesia for signing the

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopting the Trafficking in Persons

Act of 2012, and ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the

Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

53. Maldives commended the Federated States of Micronesia for adopting the 2012

Trafficking in Persons Act and various State policies, as well as for the progress made in

reducing infant and under-5 mortality. Maldives also took note of the strategic plan for

improving education in the country, expressing the hope that efforts would be made to

improve the quality of education and the resources available. Maldives urged the Federated

States of Micronesia to seek technical support and advice on best practices from the United

Nations and the international community for the promotion and protection of human rights

in the country.

54. Montenegro welcomed the efforts made to strengthen the institutional and legislative

framework for human rights, including the adoption of the Trafficking in Persons Act and

the plans to review and update both the National Youth Policy and the National Disability

Policy. Montenegro expressed the hope that the Federated States of Micronesia would

introduce federal legislation criminalizing violence against women. Montenegro

commended the Federated States of Micronesia for its ratification of the Optional Protocol

to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and

child pornography and the plan to finalize the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the

Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict.

Montenegro remained concerned, however, that most of the core human rights treaties had

not been ratified.

55. Morocco highlighted the fact that the Federated States of Micronesia had developed

several sectoral policies, including the National Strategic Development Plan and the

national policy for gender equality. Morocco welcomed the legislative reforms that had

been made, such as the adoption in 2012 of the Trafficking in Persons Act. It appreciated

the action the Federated States of Micronesia had taken on its national policy on disability

and its national youth policy and its engagement in the fields of education, health and child

protection.

56. Namibia noted the impacts of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights in

the Federated States of Micronesia. It also noted the launch of the Child Protection Baseline

Report in October 2014, accompanied by the Atlas of the 2013 Child Equity Social

Indicators. Namibia commended the Federated States of Micronesia on the 2014 Family

Health and Safety Study, the first research effort to gather comprehensive information on

violence against women in the country.

57. The Netherlands welcomed the positive steps taken towards equal rights for women,

notably efforts to promote the participation of women in political and decision-making

positions. The Netherlands noted that, while the Federated States of Micronesia had

accepted the recommendations regarding reservations to the Convention on the Elimination

of All Forms of Discrimination against Women that had been made during the first review,

the reservations remained in place.

58. New Zealand noted the accession in 2011 to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and

Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United

Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. New Zealand remained concerned at the rate of domestic violence, stating that increased efforts were required to

counter it. New Zealand noted that OHCHR had urged the Federated States of Micronesia

to introduce federal legislation criminalizing violence against women. It also noted that the

Federated States of Micronesia had accepted the recommendation from the first review to

ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International

Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, but had not yet done so.

59. Panama highlighted the adoption in 2012 of the Trafficking in Persons Act and the

creation of a multidisciplinary universal periodic review task force through a presidential

order. It noted that training was being carried out on gender-awareness in 2015 in

preparation for the national policy on gender, that measures had been put in place to

implement laws on trafficking in persons and that procedures had been developed to

identify victims of trafficking.

60. Mexico expressed appreciation for the adoption in 2012 of the Trafficking in

Persons Act and the submission in 2014 of a bill to Congress for the creation of an office of

gender affairs. Mexico congratulated the Government for giving priority to developing a

national gender policy and submitting its national report under the Convention on the

Rights of the Child.

II. Conclusions and/or recommendations

61. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue/listed below

have been examined by the Federated States of Micronesia and enjoy the support of

the Federated States of Micronesia:

61.1 Engage with the United Nations and development partners when

technical support is required (Timor-Leste);

61.2 Continue to engage multilateral, regional and bilateral partners with

a view to build its capacity and its resources for the effective implementation of

its anti-human trafficking programmes as well as disaster risk reduction

measures and climate change adaption and mitigation programmes

(Philippines).

62. The following recommendations will be examined by the Federated States of

Micronesia, which will provide responses in due time, but no later than the thirty-first

session of the Human Rights Council, in March 2016:

62.1 Ratify the remaining core international human rights treaties, in

particular the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of

Racial Discrimination and its Optional Protocol, the International Covenant on

Civil and Political Rights and its Optional Protocols, the Convention against

Torture and its Optional Protocol and the Convention on the Rights of Persons

with Disabilities (Portugal);

62.2 Ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and

the other core international human rights instruments, as well as their optional

protocols (Sierra Leone);

62.3 Continue its engagement by ratifying other international

instruments, in particular the International Convention on the Elimination of

All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Algeria);

62.4 Strengthen its legal framework by acceding to the international

human rights promotion and protection instruments to which it is not yet

party, notably the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (France);

62.5 Continue its engagement by ratifying other international

instruments, in particular the International Convention on the Protection of the

Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Algeria);

** The conclusions and recommendations have not been edited.

62.6 Ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

(Poland) (Montenegro);

62.7 Ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and

its two optional protocols (Estonia);

62.8 Ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and

the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and their

corresponding optional protocols (Spain);

62.9 Redouble its efforts for the ratification process of the International

Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International

Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Indonesia);

62.10 Consider ratification of the International Covenant on Economic,

Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and

Political Rights as soon as possible (Namibia);

62.11 Ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and

the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (New

Zealand);

62.12 Pursue and complete accession to core human rights covenants,

including in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political

Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,

the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial

Discrimination and the Convention against Torture, as previously

recommended (Germany);

62.13 Ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as the

Convention against Torture (Costa Rica);

62.14 Ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also

with a view to help ensure equal rights of, and end discrimination against

lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (Netherlands);

62.15 Ratify the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural

Rights (Poland);

62.16 Withdraw its reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of

All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Portugal) (Netherlands);

Withdraw all reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of

Discrimination against Women (France); Lift the reservations of the Federated

States of Micronesia to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of

Discrimination against Women (Fiji);

62.17 Review the reservations made to the Convention on the Elimination

of All Forms of Discrimination against Women with the objective of

withdrawing them, in particular those that are incompatible with the object

and purpose of the said international instrument (Uruguay);

62.18 As a follow-up to recommendations Micronesia accepted in the

course of the first universal periodic review cycle, put forward a concrete plan

with regard to the withdrawal of all reservations made to the Convention on

the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Germany);

62.19 Consider removing all reservations under the Convention on the

Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and take all

necessary measures to ensure full implementation of the provisions of the

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

(Namibia);

62.20 Intensify efforts to ratify the Convention against Torture and Other

Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Denmark);

62.21 Sign and ratify the Convention against Torture, the International

Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial

Discrimination (Uruguay);

62.22 Ratify the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or

Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional Protocol, and prohibit

all corporal punishment of children in all settings, including at home

environment (Estonia);

62.23 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the

Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (France);

62.24 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the

Child on a communications procedure (Spain);

62.25 Harmonize the national legislation with the Convention on the Rights

of the Child and article 16 (2) of the Convention on the Elimination of All

Forms of Discrimination against Women by passing a legislative amendment to

raise the minimum age of consent to marriage for girls to 18 years

(Montenegro);

62.26 Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons

from Enforced Disappearance (Argentina);

62.27 Ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

(Spain); Ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the

earliest opportunity (Australia);

62.28 Continue its efforts in order to ratify the Convention on the Rights of

Persons with Disabilities (Israel);

62.29 Ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and

incorporate it into national law (New Zealand);

62.30 Urge the Federated States of Micronesia to ratify the Convention on

the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, and

incorporate them into its domestic legislation (Panama);

62.31 Ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and

repeal any legislative provision that limits the full enjoyment of the rights of

this sector of the population (Mexico);

62.32 Take all necessary measures towards acceding to the Rome Statute of

the International Criminal Court (Cyprus);

62.33 Align its national legislation with the Rome Statute of the

International Criminal Court and ratify the Rome Statute and the Agreement

on Privileges and Immunities of the International Criminal Court (Estonia);

62.34 Accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

(France);

62.35 As appears in its second national report, urge the Federate States of

Micronesia to continue studying the possibility of applying for membership of

the International Labour Organization (ILO), with a view to ratifying its

fundamental conventions (Panama);

62.36 Continue to improve domestic laws in order to ensure international

legal obligations in accordance with international norms and principles (Timor-

Leste);

62.37 Continue efforts towards bringing national laws related to women

and children in line with its obligations under international human rights law

(Georgia);

62.38 Take immediate steps, including if necessary by requesting

appropriate technical assistance to establish an independent national human

rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles (Ireland);

62.39 Establish a national human rights institution in compliance with the

Paris Principles (Portugal);

62.40 Strengthen its efforts in establishing a national human rights

institution in accordance with the Paris Principles (Indonesia);

62.41 Develop human rights education and training and include the aspects

of women’s and children’s rights in education curricula (Slovenia);

62.42 Encourage pursuing efforts to overcome the backlog in the

submission of periodic reports (Djibouti);

62.43 Extend a standing invitation to special procedures, as previously

recommended (Portugal);

62.44 Analyse the possibility of issuing an open invitation so that the special

procedures of the Human Rights Council can visit the country (Mexico);

62.45 Ensure equality of all persons before the law, by including gender,

sexual orientation and disability as grounds for non-discrimination in relevant

constitutional or legal provisions (United Kingdom of Great Britain and

Northern Ireland);

62.46 Continue working towards the creation of a national gender policy

(Cuba);

62.47 That the proposed National Gender Policy should incorporate gender

mainstreaming policies in all aspects of Federated States of Micronesia

domestic law and policy (Fiji);

62.48 Speed up the finalization and implementation of the National Gender

Policy (Maldives);

62.49 Strengthen its advocacy measures to educate and empower women,

especially those who are in rural or hard-to-reach communities (Philippines);

62.50 Eliminate all laws and practices that discriminate against women and

promote equal treatment of girls and boys (Cyprus);

62.51 Take the necessary measures to review its domestic legislation so as to

guarantee the prohibition and sanction of discrimination in all its forms,

especially on the basis of gender, sexual orientation and disability (Argentina);

62.52 Design and implement policies to prevent and combat discrimination

on any grounds, including based on sexual orientation and gender identity

(Brazil);

62.53 Include sexual orientation in non-discrimination laws and equality

initiatives (Canada);

62.54 Prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender, disability and sexual

orientation in the Constitution (Mexico);

62.55 Introduce federal legislation criminalising violence against women

(Portugal);

62.56 Establish federal legislation criminalizing violence against women in

all four states (Sierra Leone);

62.57 Improve data collection regarding domestic violence and gender-

based violence (Slovenia);

62.58 Undertake awareness-raising and education on violence against

women (Slovenia);

62.59 Deepen legislative endeavours in the fight against gender-based

violence, within as well as outside of marriage (Spain);

62.60 Develop awareness raising programmes against the scourge of

gender-based violence amongst public officials, law enforcement personnel and

members of the judiciary (Spain);

62.61 Enact federal and state laws criminalising domestic violence (United

States of America);

62.62 That the other States of Micronesia, including Yap, Chuuk and

Pohnpei, introduce legislation criminalizing domestic violence, to ensure that

there is a consistent approach in protecting families and criminalizing domestic

violence across the whole of the Federated States of Micronesia (Australia);

62.63 Strengthen awareness and prevention measures to address violence

against women (Australia);

62.64 Implement effective measures against domestic violence, including

spousal rape, bring perpetrators to justice, and develop public education

campaigns in this area (Canada);

62.65 Adopt measures to reduce violence against women (China);

62.66 Introduce comprehensive legislation criminalizing violence against

women, including marital rape (Germany);

62.67 Following the completion of the Family Health and Safety Study,

continue its actions to eradicate domestic violence (Israel);

62.68 Develop a national action plan to combat domestic violence against

women and children (New Zealand);

62.69 Ensure adequate protection and sheltering of women and children in

need (Slovenia);

62.70 Ensure that federal legislation provides adequate protection for

women and children, including by criminalizing violence in line with

obligations under international human rights law (United Kingdom of Great

Britain and Northern Ireland);

62.71 Strengthen measures to combat violence against women, as well as to

prohibit corporal punishment of children and to set out the minimum age to

work (Brazil);

62.72 Consider passing a domestic violence law which makes reporting of

violence within the family and especially against women and children

mandatory, and which creates a regime of family violence restraining orders

designed to protect the family against further violence (Fiji);

62.73 Put in place a follow-up and evaluation mechanism on the situation of

protection of children and strengthen the institutions working in that area

(Morocco);

62.74 Take legislative measures to prohibit all forms of corporal

punishment of children in all settings (Namibia);

62.75 Expand education and awareness campaigns on the issue of

trafficking in persons and make efforts to study human trafficking in the

country (United States of America);

62.76 Adopt procedures to better identify victims of trafficking among

vulnerable groups such as foreign workers and those engaged in prostitution

(United States of America);

62.77 Adopt a law on access to information in accordance with the

international standards on the issue (Mexico);

62.78 Adopt domestic laws to promote and guarantee women’s political

representation in decision making positions (Costa Rica);

62.79 Take steps, including by implementation of gender quotas for

candidates presented for election by political parties to increase women’s

representation in public and political life (Ireland);

62.80 Pursue efforts to increase women’s representation and leadership in

the decision making bodies both at the political and economic levels (Morocco);

62.81 Put in place labour laws which would include a minimum age of

employment, and which protect children from commercial exploitation (Sierra

Leone);

62.82 Adopt comprehensive laws against child labour (Spain);

62.83 Continue strengthening its social policies in order to raise the quality

of life of its people, in particular of those sectors most in need (Bolivarian

Republic of Venezuela);

62.84 Continue efforts to improve conditions for girls, particularly with

respect to the quality of nutrition, health care and education, and to their civil

rights, including equitable heritable rights (Canada);

62.85 Encourage putting in place a broader social safety net designed to

cover all segments of society, notably persons working in the informal sectors

as well as vulnerable persons (Djibouti);

62.86 Combat malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies by ensuring the

right to adequate and healthy food (Maldives);

62.87 Continue applying the measures necessary to reduce the risks of

contracting infectious sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, through its

preventive health care services (Panama);

62.88 Continue to combat maternal and child mortality (Djibouti);

62.89 Adopt concrete measures to prevent discrimination against persons

with disabilities in the private sector and in access to services such as health

and education (Spain);

62.90 Grant the Health Department with the human and material resources

to enable it to offer adequate services to persons with disabilities (Spain);

62.91 Encourage the Government to develop a child-friendly centre for

disaster risk protection (Timor-Leste);

62.92 Incorporate human rights considerations in the measures that are

adopted to counter climate change (Costa Rica);

62.93 Continue its fight against the negative consequences of climate

change (Cuba).

63. All conclusions and/or recommendations contained in the present report reflect

the position of the submitting State(s) and/or the State under review. They should not

be construed as endorsed by the Working Group as a whole.

Annex

Composition of the delegation

The delegation of the Federated States of Micronesia was headed by the Permanent

Representative of the Federated States of Micronesia to the United Nations, H.E. Mrs. Jane

J. Chigiyal and composed of the following members:

• Ms. Stacy Yleizah, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multilateral Affairs,

Department of Foreign Affairs.