40/9 Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review - Mauritius

GE.18-22747(E)



Human Rights Council Fortieth session

25 February–22 March 2019 Agenda item 6

Universal periodic review

Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review*

Mauritius

* The annex is being circulated without formal editing, in the language of submission only.

Introduction

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

with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-first session from 5 to 16

November 2018. The review of Mauritius was held at the 6th meeting, on 7 November

2018. The delegation of Mauritius was headed by the Attorney General and Minister of

Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms, Maneesh Gobin. At its 10th meeting, held

on 9 November 2018, the Working Group adopted the report on Mauritius.

2. On 10 January 2018, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of

rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Mauritius: Mongolia, Togo and United

Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

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 Mauritius:

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

paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/31/MUS/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.6/31/MUS/2);

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

(A/HRC/WG.6/31/MUS/3 and Corr.1).

4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Brazil, Portugal, on behalf of

the Group of Friends on national implementation, reporting and follow-up, Slovenia, Spain

and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was transmitted to Mauritius

through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic

review.

I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process

A. Presentation by the State under review

5. Mauritius noted that there had been a change of Government following the general

elections in 2014 and the new government programme for the period 2015–2019 was very

focused on its citizens. Much had been done to improve the standard of living and quality

of life of its population and more was being done to consolidate its welfare State.

6. A Citizen Support Portal had been set up in 2017 in order to better address the

complaints of citizens. To enhance connectivity, 350 free Wi-Fi hotspots had been installed

around Mauritius and more hotspots were in the process of being installed.

7. With regard to developments since the second review cycle, a new ministry

dedicated to human rights had been established in 2017. The National Mechanism for

Reporting and Follow-up, which had taken over the functions of the Human Rights

Monitoring Committee, had been established in December 2017, and a Human Rights

Portal had also been created. Mauritius welcomed the technical assistance to be provided by

OHCHR for the establishment of a national reporting and tracking database. The

Independent Police Complaints Commission, responsible for investigating complaints made

against police officers in the discharge of their functions, had been established in 2018, and

the Police (Membership of Trade Union) Act had been adopted in 2016.

8. At least 90 per cent of the measures contained in the 2012–2020 Human Rights

Action Plan had been implemented. Its midterm report on the second review cycle had been

submitted in 2016 and all the periodic reports due under each convention had been

submitted in the previous two years. Mauritius had acceded to almost all the core United

Nations and African Union human rights instruments and it had ensured that their

provisions had been incorporated into its legislation, to the extent possible. It had ratified

the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women

in Africa (the Maputo Protocol) in June 2017, with reservations, and the Convention for the

Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data in June

2016. Furthermore, it had acceded to the Arms Trade Treaty in July 2015 and had recently

deposited the instrument for ratification of the Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on

the Use of Mines, Booby-traps and Other Devices as Amended on 3 May 1996 (Protocol II

as amended on 3 May 1996) and the Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War (Protocol V)

to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional

Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate

Effects. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a

communications procedure would be ratified once the Children’s Bill was enacted, and the

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was expected to

be ratified in 2019.

9. Mauritius had not been able to implement some of the recommendations from the

second review cycle, given its specific situation. While it was a multicultural society,

Mauritius was an island with limited resources, thus not in a position to accept migrant

workers with their family members or to grant refugee status to foreigners, although it

provided assistance for their settlement in other countries.

10. The Social Integration and Empowerment Act of December 2016 provided for

empowerment schemes to combat absolute poverty and for financial support to families

who were eligible under the Social Register of Mauritius and had signed their social

contract. The Government strongly supported families with a very low to low income who

already owned a plot of land and who were willing to build a house through a grant scheme.

11. The enactment of the National Minimum Wage Regulations in December 2017 had

been further strengthened by the implementation of the negative income tax scheme. The

universal non-contributory basic retirement pension had also been increased.

12. Some 20,600 young people had been placed in employment from 2013 to June 2018

through the Youth Employment Programme.

13. The Police and Criminal Justice Bill, which would be introduced in the National

Assembly in the current term, would include provisions to better guarantee citizens’ human

rights and fundamental freedoms. The Extradition Act of 1970 had been repealed and

replaced by new legislation in 2017 to make better provision for the extradition of persons

from and to Mauritius.

14. With regard to electoral reforms and the complaint made to the Human Rights

Committee by the political party Rezistans ek Alternativ (Resistance and Alternative),

Mauritius was fully committed to reforming the electoral system so as to ensure a fairer

representation in the National Assembly, to guarantee better women’s representation and to

address the issue of the mandatory declaration of a candidate’s community. A ministerial

committee had been set up in January 2016 to make proposals, and the electoral reforms

which, inter alia, aimed to achieve adequate representation of all minorities in the National

Assembly, had been presented on 21 September 2018. The Electoral Boundaries

Commission was currently reviewing electoral boundaries as provided in the Constitution.

15. In the area of international humanitarian law, Mauritius had amended the Firearms

Act in 2016; and passed the Anti-Personnel Mines and Cluster Munitions (Prohibition) Act

of 2016 to incorporate both the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Convention on

the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines

and on their Destruction, into domestic law. It had also enacted the Convention on

Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be

Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects, in 2018.

16. There had been a marked increase in the number of women participating in the

previous general elections. In the Local Government Act, amended in 2015, it was

stipulated that every group representing more than two candidates in an election must

ensure that not more than two thirds of the candidates in that group were of the same sex.

There were currently 7 elected female members (out of a total of 69 seats) in the National

Assembly and 3 elected female members (out of a total of 17 seats) in the Rodrigues

Regional Assembly. The proportion of women in the most senior decision-making positions

in the public sector had increased, and under the National Code of Corporate Governance,

all private sector organizations should have directors from both genders as board members.

The Gender Equality Bill was currently being finalized.

17. The International Labour Organization (ILO) Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951

(No. 100) had been incorporated into domestic legislation in section 20 of the Employment

Rights Act, and a National Employment Department had been established under the

National Employment Act of 2017 to promote employment, placements and training for job

seekers. The Equal Opportunities Act had been amended in 2017 to prohibit discrimination

in employment on the grounds of a person’s criminal record.

18. A new Data Protection Act had come into force in January 2018 to protect the

privacy rights of individuals in view of the developments in techniques used to capture,

transmit, manipulate, record or store data relating to individuals. Following the decision of

the Supreme Court in the case of Madhewoo v. the State of Mauritius and another,

biometric information stored under the National Identity Card (Miscellaneous Provisions)

Act of 2013 had been destroyed by a decision of the Government.

19. Domestic violence was still an area of concern, although the number of new cases of

domestic violence against women had decreased. The Protection from Domestic Violence

Act had been amended in 2016 to provide better protection for victims of domestic violence,

and a national protocol on domestic violence was currently being prepared.

20. Violence against children, sexual abuse of children and child marriage were also

issues of great concern. Legislation on child marriage in Mauritius seemed out of step

compared to other countries, but there had been much progress in the collective thinking for

a change in the minimum age for marriage and the delegation hoped to report further

progress in the future. A zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation of children had

been established, and violence against children, child trafficking and commercial sexual

exploitation of children, including child prostitution, had been addressed through a variety

of measures. A Children’s Bill was expected to be introduced in the National Assembly the

following year.

21. Mauritius had recently joined the call to action to end forced labour, modern slavery

and human trafficking. A draft national action plan to combat trafficking in persons was

currently under preparation and an interministerial committee had been set up to ensure

proper coordination.

22. Drug trafficking and addiction posed serious challenges. A Commission of Inquiry

on Drug Trafficking had been set up in 2015, and a ministerial committee and a task force

had been set up to coordinate the implementation of recommendations made by the

Commission. In order to address drug control comprehensively, a National Drug Control

Master Plan had been prepared for the period 2018–2022.

23. Mauritius was yet to embark on consultations planned for early 2019 on the

decriminalization of consensual homosexual activity. The Ministry of Justice, Human

Rights and Institutional Reforms was in consultation with non-governmental organizations

that were advocating for a change in the law. However, there was a need for awareness-

raising and acceptance among the population at large before amendment of the current

legislation could be considered.

24. Mauritius was sparing no efforts for the completion of its decolonization process so

that it could fully exercise its sovereignty over the entirety of its territory. In that respect,

the General Assembly had adopted resolution 71/292 in June 2017 on a request for an

advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of the

separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965. Following the public

hearings at the Court in September 2018, Mauritius hoped that the Court would give an

opinion that would contribute to completing its decolonization, thereby enabling Mauritian

citizens, especially those of Chagossian origin, to return to the Chagos Archipelago.

25. Mauritius was concerned about the upsurge in the number of patients who had been

diagnosed with diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular problems. The construction of a new

cancer hospital and a new national health laboratory service would begin the following year.

The construction of a new ear, nose and throat hospital was already well under way.

26. Language was not currently included in the Equal Opportunities Act as a ground of

discrimination. Although the Creole language was not yet used as an official language in

the National Assembly, it was widely used in other institutions such as courts of law and for

teaching in schools.

27. Consultations on the first working draft of the freedom of information bill were

ongoing. Numerous administrative, financial, legal, and institutional implications of the

draft legislation were being examined and scrutinized in depth, as there was a need to strike

the right balance between ensuring delivery of effective and efficient governance and

enjoyment of the right to know.

28. All death sentences imposed prior to the adoption of the Abolition of Death Penalty

Act of 1995 had been commuted to sentences of penal servitude for life. However,

Mauritius was concerned about an upsurge of opinion publicly expressed in favour of the

death penalty.

29. Mauritius would continue to work towards upholding the human rights of its citizens

and meeting its obligations under the different human rights instruments to which it was a

party.

B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review

30. During the interactive dialogue, 77 delegations made statements. Recommendations

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

31. The United States of America was encouraged by the progress made by Mauritius in

addressing abuses committed by security forces and in implementing recommendations

from the second review cycle. It remained concerned about corruption, continued abuses

committed by security forces and impunity for those abuses.

32. Uruguay welcomed the measures taken to combat gender violence and promote

women’s rights, and encouraged Mauritius to continue working to incorporate a gender

perspective into its legislation and public policies.

33. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela welcomed the creation of a national

mechanism for submitting and following up on human rights reports. It also welcomed a

number of policy initiatives in the fields of health and education.

34. Zimbabwe noted the creation of a ministry dedicated to human rights issues and of

the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up. It also noted that new pieces of

legislation had been enacted to better guarantee the protection of human rights.

35. Afghanistan commended the progress made in the field of human rights since the

previous review, including the establishment of specific institutions for human rights affairs

and the ratification of certain international human rights instruments.

36. Algeria welcomed the institutional and legislative reforms leading to the creation of

a ministry with a human rights portfolio, and the launch of the National Child Protection

Strategy and the National Human Rights Action Plan.

37. Angola noted with satisfaction the commitment made by Mauritius to achieving the

Sustainable Development Goals, the progress it had made in the administration of justice,

and the attention given to improving the living conditions of detainees in fields such as

health care and social reintegration.

38. Argentina congratulated Mauritius for the creation of the Ministry of Justice, Human

Rights and Institutional Reforms, the Human Rights Secretariat and the National

Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up.

39. Armenia welcomed the commitment made by the Government to strengthen the

existing democratic and human rights architecture through, inter alia, the establishment of

the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms, and the National

Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up within that Ministry.

40. Australia welcomed the adoption of the Equal Opportunities (Amendment) Act and

the implementation of disability-inclusive policies, but remained concerned at the

persistence of barriers to gender equality, lengthy investigations and imprisonment without

trial, and the criminalization of homosexuality.

41. Belgium welcomed the commitment made by Mauritius to respect human rights, but

remained concerned about violence and discrimination against women and a lack of respect

for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons.

42. Bhutan commended the ratification of major human rights treaties and the

establishment of the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up. It encouraged

Mauritius to take further steps to protect the rights of children and eliminate domestic

violence.

43. Botswana noted with appreciation the progress made by Mauritius in the

implementation of its international human rights obligations, such as laws on equal

opportunities, domestication of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and

the provision of legal assistance to accused persons.

44. Brazil congratulated Mauritius for introducing a national minimum wage in the

private and public sectors, for increasing women’s participation in political life, and for its

efforts to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to eliminate stigma and discrimination in

health-care settings.

45. Burundi welcomed the various measures adopted to empower women and to

eliminate all forms of discrimination against them. It also welcomed the domestic legal

provisions that criminalized genocide and other atrocities constituting war crimes.

46. Cameroon commended the institutional progress made to improve the human rights

situation in Mauritius, and commended its policy aimed at guaranteeing the protection of

children’s rights.

47. Canada welcomed the progress made by Mauritius in preventing gender-based

violence, including amendments to the Protection from Domestic Violence Act, and

recognized its efforts to investigate, prosecute and convict those suspected of trafficking in

persons.

48. Chad appreciated the measures taken by Mauritius to protect and promote human

rights in the fields of health and education, and to strengthen its cooperation with United

Nations human rights mechanisms.

49. Chile appreciated the creation of the Human Rights Secretariat and the National

Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up, but was concerned about the high number of

early marriages, the stigmatization of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex

community, and the small number of women in decision-making positions.

50. China appreciated that Mauritius had enacted a number of bills to strengthen human

rights guarantees, combated discrimination and hate speech, conducted human rights

training for law enforcement officials, developed health and education services and worked

to protect the rights of vulnerable groups.

51. The Comoros underlined efforts made to protect the rights of children, persons with

disabilities and older persons.

52. The Congo acknowledged the commitment made by Mauritius to address

environmental issues through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act,

and the mobilization of adequate means to guarantee the right to health care for everyone.

53. Côte d’Ivoire congratulated Mauritius on its many reforms, which had enabled

progress in the areas of the economy, democracy and good governance. It encouraged

Mauritius to ensure better protection of human rights throughout its territory.

54. Cuba acknowledged the efforts that Mauritius had made to implement the

recommendations accepted during the second review cycle, in particular by means of

updating the legal framework, which included the adoption and amendment of various laws.

55. The Democratic Republic of the Congo congratulated Mauritius on its efforts to

strengthen democracy, which had helped it to be ranked as the sixteenth most democratic

nation in the world. It welcomed the adoption of the National Preventive Mechanism Act

and the establishment of the National Preventive Mechanism Division.

56. Denmark noted the importance of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms

of Discrimination against Women in guiding efforts to achieve gender equality, and of the

ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) in securing and

strengthening norms concerning the rights of indigenous peoples.

57. Djibouti congratulated Mauritius on its establishment of the Ministry of Justice,

Human Rights and Institutional Reforms and on its ratification of instruments, including the

Maputo Protocol.

58. Egypt welcomed institutional reforms and the creation of the Ministry of Justice,

Human Rights and Institutional Reforms. It also welcomed the strengthening of the

legislative framework to improve living conditions and facilitate access to health care and

education, commending the cooperation between Mauritius and United Nations bodies.

59. Ethiopia commended the significant progress made in terms of the infant mortality

rate and the under-five mortality rate, immunization coverage and maternal and child health

services, including antenatal and postnatal care.

60. Fiji congratulated Mauritius on its comprehensive National Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management Act 2016 and for being the first small island developing State to develop

its own early warning system for tide and storm surges. It welcomed the initiatives of the

National Environment Fund.

61. France commended Mauritius on the presentation of its report. It took note of the

relatively satisfactory human rights situation and the progress made since the second review

cycle, especially concerning the rights of women and children.

62. Gabon congratulated Mauritius on the measures taken to empower women, improve

citizens’ living conditions and prohibit child labour. It welcomed the amendments made to

the Protection from Domestic Violence Act to strengthen victim protection and the related

training courses for police officers.

63. Georgia acknowledged the steps taken with a view to boosting women’s

participation in politics and encouraged Mauritius to strengthen its efforts to empower

women and promote gender equality at all levels. It welcomed the efforts made on child

protection and encouraged Mauritius to accelerate those efforts.

64. Germany commended Mauritius on the efforts made to align itself with international

human rights standards, as reflected by the Human Rights Action Plan. However, Germany

remained concerned about ongoing reports of corporal punishment, and abuse and sexual

exploitation of children.

65. Ghana welcomed the enactment of new laws and the amendment of existing

legislation, such as the Protection of Elderly Persons (Amendment) Act 2016, the

Protection from Domestic Violence Act (Amendment) 2016 and the Social Integration and

Empowerment Act 2016. It encouraged Mauritius to implement its social intervention

programmes.

66. Guyana congratulated Mauritius for its constructive report. It commended the efforts

to ratify or accede to major human rights instruments and the legislation enacted to

guarantee the protection of human rights.

67. Honduras acknowledged and welcomed the adoption of legislative measures and

policies, particularly the Protection from Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act, the

Protection of Elderly Persons (Amendment) Act and the Independent Police Complaints

Commission Act.

68. Iceland noted the amendments made to the Criminal Code to allow medical

termination of pregnancy in specific cases as a positive step. It regretted, however, that

Mauritius had not repealed sections of the Criminal Code regarding consensual same-sex

relations.

69. India commended Mauritius for its achievements in strengthening its human rights

architecture. It noted with appreciation its efforts to achieve progress in the socioeconomic

sphere, to enhance the rights of women, and to ensure the rights of children and persons

with disabilities and the well-being of older persons.

70. Indonesia welcomed the establishment of the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and

Institutional Reforms, the Human Rights Secretariat and the National Mechanism for

Reporting and Follow-up in 2017. It commended the enactment of the Independent Police

Complaints Commission Act in 2018.

71. Mauritius reiterated its comments regarding the recommendations it had received to

repeal section 250 of the Criminal Code and to remove its reservation to the Maputo

Protocol concerning the minimum age of marriage for girls, and on the adoption of the

Children’s Bill, on migrant workers and members of their families, and on the Gender

Equality Bill.

72. Mauritius stressed that prior to the adoption of the Disability Bill, infrastructure

needed to be adapted to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities.

73. Mauritius stated that it was committed to fighting corruption at all levels. It had

passed legislation to establish the Integrity Reporting Services Agency to address

unexplained wealth, even in the absence of a criminal conviction.

74. Responding to allegations of cases of imprisonment without trial, Mauritius assured

that there had been no such cases. Persons awaiting trial had access to courts that oversaw

their time in remand.

75. The Islamic Republic of Iran noted the efforts made by the Government to promote

and protect the rights of children and persons with disabilities and to eradicate poverty. It

acknowledged that the Government had increased human resources allocated to the health

sector.

76. Iraq noted the establishment of the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and

Institutional Reforms and the adoption of the Protection from Domestic Violence

(Amendment) Act.

77. Ireland regretted that Mauritius had not repealed section 250 of the Criminal Code

and remained concerned about reports of violence against women and children, in particular

the increasing rate of domestic violence.

78. Italy commended the creation of the Human Rights Secretariat and the National

Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up. It appreciated the efforts made to ensure the

rights of women, including promoting the participation of women in politics and protecting

women against domestic violence.

79. Jordan noted the efforts made by the Government to protect and promote human

rights.

80. Kenya noted the adoption of the Achieving Meaningful Change programme for the

period 2015–2019, which contributed to the advancement of the protection of human rights.

It commended Mauritius for its efforts to implement the recommendations made during the

previous review cycles.

81. Latvia noted measures taken by the Government in the area of human rights and

encouraged Mauritius to make further efforts to fulfil its human rights obligations and

commitments.

82. Lesotho commended Mauritius for its efforts to implement the recommendations

made during the previous review. It commended the creation of new human rights

structures and institutional reforms to improve human rights reporting and follow-up.

83. Libya noted the positive developments achieved by the Government in the human

rights sphere since the second review cycle.

84. Madagascar noted with satisfaction the measures taken by the Government to protect

human rights and to implement the recommendations it had accepted from the previous

review, including amendments made to the Protection from Domestic Violence Act.

85. Malaysia noted the progress made in eradicating poverty and providing access to

health care for infants and children. It commended Mauritius for adopting a rights-based

approach in the implementation of policies concerning persons with disabilities.

86. Maldives noted with appreciation the adoption of the Equal Opportunities

(Amendment) Act, the Prevention of Terrorism (Amendment) Act, the Protection of Elderly

Persons (Amendment) Act and the Protection from Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act.

87. Mauritania noted the efforts made by the Government to implement

recommendations from the previous review cycle. It welcomed the achievements made in

ensuring the right to health and education and the rights of the child, especially concerning

children with special educational needs.

88. Montenegro called on the Government to consolidate its legislation covering the

rights of children and to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons were

protected from all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

89. Mozambique noted that Mauritius had been the first African country to ratify the

Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to the Automatic Processing of

Personal Data of the Council of Europe, and that it had also ratified the Maputo Protocol.

90. Namibia welcomed the institutional reforms for the promotion of human rights,

including the creation of the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms.

It supported the call to the Human Rights Council to provide training and technical

assistance to Mauritius.

91. Nepal appreciated the achievements made and initiatives taken concerning

environmental issues and climate change, and the empowerment of women, indigenous

peoples and ethnic and minority groups.

92. The Netherlands commended Mauritius for improving the rights of women through

the envisaged Gender Equality Bill, and for the long-awaited Children’s Bill, and noted the

importance of their swift adoption. It welcomed the constitutional provision on equality for

all and the increased tolerance for homosexuality.

93. The Niger appreciated the creation of an independent commission for the

examination of complaints made against the police, and the adoption of the Protection from

Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act and the National Women’s Council Act, to further

promote women’s empowerment and increase their participation in public and political life.

94. Nigeria commended Mauritius for its efforts to strengthen legal and institutional

frameworks and for its continued cooperation with international human rights mechanisms.

It also commended efforts to combat slavery, forced labour and human trafficking.

95. The Philippines commended Mauritius for its efforts to protect the rights of women,

children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. It noted drug abuse as a concern and

welcomed ongoing anti-drug awareness campaigns and the development of a

comprehensive National Drug Control Master Plan for the period 2018–2022.

96. Portugal commended the establishment of the national mechanism for

implementation, reporting and follow-up and of the Human Rights Secretariat. It welcomed

efforts to improve the human rights situation of women and girls.

97. Rwanda welcomed the amendment of the National Women’s Council Act to further

promote women’s empowerment and gender equality, and the strengthened cooperation

between Mauritius and the human rights treaty bodies.

98. Senegal commended the adoption of the Achieving Meaningful Change programme

for 2015–2019. It noted positive developments in the areas of education, health and access

to employment.

99. Serbia welcomed all legislative acts adopted with the aim of improving the situation

of its citizens concerning equality, right to health, social security, education and adequate

standard of living.

100. Seychelles commended Mauritius for allocating specific funding to mitigate the

effects of climate change. It commended the awareness-raising activities carried out by

schoolteachers and civil society representatives.

101. Slovenia welcomed the establishment of the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and

Institutional Reforms and of the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up. It

raised concerns about violence against children, child sexual exploitation, underage

marriage and teenage pregnancy.

102. South Africa appreciated the measures taken by Mauritius in responding to

trafficking in persons, including child trafficking and forced labour.

103. Spain highlighted the adoption of the Equal Opportunities (Amendment) Act and the

establishment of an Equal Opportunities Commission, but noted the inequalities between

men and women. It also noted that the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,

Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment had not been fully incorporated into

domestic legislation.

104. Togo commended Mauritius for institutional reforms and laws on human rights. It

welcomed the attention paid to vulnerable groups, particularly older persons, women,

children and persons with disabilities. It commended efforts to combat corruption.

105. Trinidad and Tobago noted the various amendments to the Protection from Domestic

Violence Act, the Protection of Elderly Persons Act, the Local Government Act and the

Employment Rights Act. It commended efforts to address climate change.

106. Tunisia commended Mauritius for issuing an invitation to United Nations special

procedure mandate holders. It also commended the establishment of a national commission

to receive complaints made against the police.

107. Uganda welcomed the enactment of the Independent Police Complaints Commission

Act and the establishment of the Commission in that regard.

108. Ukraine acknowledged the establishment of the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights

and Institutional Reforms, the Human Rights Secretariat, the National Mechanism for

Reporting and Follow-Up, and the Human Rights Monitoring Committee.

109. The United Arab Emirates paid tribute to reforms introduced on the rights of women,

in particular on protecting their fundamental rights, including wage equality, extension of

maternity leave and promotion of adult literacy.

110. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was encouraged by

amendments to the Protection from Domestic Violence Act in 2016 and noted that statistics

reflected concerning levels of gender-based violence. Responding to the comments made

by Mauritius about the British Indian Ocean Territory in its national report, the United

Kingdom said that it had no doubts about its sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, which

had been ceded to the United Kingdom in 1814 and which it administered as the British

Indian Ocean Territory.

111. Haiti welcomed the pragmatic approach taken by Mauritius to development, as a

result of which it had become an upper-middle income country in Africa with a high human

development index, a good level of infrastructure and a low poverty rate.

112. Mauritius reiterated that combating trafficking in persons was high on its agenda and

thanked friendly countries for providing technical assistance and capacity-building in that

regard.

113. Mauritius mentioned the assistance provided in 2012 to the Special Rapporteur on

the sale and sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography

and other child sexual abuse material; and in 2015 to the Independent Expert on the

enjoyment of all human rights by older persons; and the forthcoming visit of the

Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial

obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic,

social and cultural rights. It would consider extending a standing invitation to all special

procedure mandate holders.

114. Mauritius called upon every country to have climate change on its agenda.

II. Conclusions and/or recommendations

115. The following recommendations will be examined by Mauritius, which will

provide responses in due time, but no later than the fortieth session of the Human

Rights Council:

115.1 Ratify the core United Nations human rights treaties to which it is not

yet a party (Lesotho);

115.2 Ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on

Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty (Belgium)

(Chile) (Germany) (Montenegro) (Portugal) (Togo);

115.3 Adhere to and ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of

the death penalty (Uruguay);

115.4 Ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on

Civil and Political Rights with a view to definitely abolishing the death penalty

(Spain);

115.5 Accede to the Second Optional Protocol to the International

Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to prevent reintroduction of the death

penalty (Australia);

115.6 Ratify or accede to human rights instruments to which it is not yet a

party, particularly the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights

of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families; the Second Optional

Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at

the abolition of the death penalty; and the Convention relating to the Status of

Refugees and its 1967 Protocol (Honduras);

115.7 Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons

from Enforced Disappearance (Portugal);

115.8 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Portugal);

115.9 Accede to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and

ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All

Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Brazil);

115.10 Ratify the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the

Crime of Genocide (Chile);

115.11 Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons

from Enforced Disappearance (Chile);

115.12 Consider ratification of major human rights instruments and their

optional protocols, such as the International Convention on the Protection of

the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families

(Philippines);

115.13 Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons

from Enforced Disappearance (Montenegro);

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

Child on a communications procedure (Comoros);

115.15 Consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the

Rights of the Child on a communications procedure (Gabon);

115.16 Withdraw reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All

Forms of Discrimination against Women (Denmark);

115.17 Ratify the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the

Crime of Genocide to increase conformity to its international obligations

(Burundi);

115.18 Consider ratifying the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment

of the Crime of Genocide (Rwanda);

115.19 Ratify the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the

Crime of Genocide (Armenia);

115.20 Ratify the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees

(Senegal);

115.21 Ratify the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its

1967 Protocol (Germany);

115.22 Accede to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and

its 1967 Protocol (Kenya);

115.23 Adhere to and implement the Convention relating to the Status of

Stateless Persons and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, taking

additional measures to facilitate late registration of births (Chile);

115.24 Accede to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless

Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (Côte

d’Ivoire);

115.25 Consider the ratification of the international conventions relating to

refugees and statelessness to fill the existing legal void (Niger);

115.26 Ratify the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169)

of the International Labour Organization (Denmark);

115.27 Consider ratifying international instruments to which Mauritius is

not a party, particularly all of the conventions and protocols of the African

Union (Djibouti);

115.28 Ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’

Rights on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa (Comoros);

115.29 Consider signing the Southern African Development Community

Protocol on Gender and Development (Namibia);

115.30 Make efforts to fulfil its international obligations by submitting the

two national reports with regard to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on

the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and the

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

children, child prostitution and child pornography (Iraq);

115.31 Consider issuing a standing invitation to all special procedures of the

Human Rights Council (Botswana);

115.32 Consider the extension of a standing invitation to all special

procedure mandate holders of the Human Rights Council (Latvia);

115.33 Consider issuing a standing invitation to the human rights special

procedures, while noting Mauritius’ exemplary cooperation with the United

Nations human rights mechanisms (Rwanda);

115.34 Adopt an open, merit-based selection process when selecting national

candidates for United Nations treaty body elections (United Kingdom of Great

Britain and Northern Ireland);

115.35 Continue to mobilize resources and seek necessary international

assistance to enhance its capacity in upholding the human rights of its people

(Nigeria);

115.36 Strengthen the independence and funding of the National Human

Rights Commission (France);

115.37 Provide the Office of the Ombudsperson with adequate resources to

enable it to carry out its mandate effectively (Ghana);

115.38 Strengthen the implementation of policies and measures relating to

democracy, the rule of law and good governance, to ensure the independence

and healthy development of State institutions (Angola);

115.39 Take appropriate measures to popularize international human rights

law in the whole country (Togo);

115.40 Adopt comprehensive legislation to prevent and combat

discrimination against all marginalized groups on any grounds, including

gender and sexual orientation, which includes positive actions for their

advancement (Honduras);

115.41 Step up its efforts to combat all forms of discrimination, in particular

against women and persons with disabilities, and discrimination based on

sexual orientation and gender identity (Italy);

115.42 Continue to combat discriminatory practices based on sex, and

strengthen measures related to the protection of the family and the child

(Algeria);

115.43 Explicitly prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexual

orientation and gender identity and develop awareness campaigns and training

programmes to raise awareness about the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and

transgender persons (Uruguay);

115.44 Take the necessary measures to establish in its national legislation a

comprehensive legal framework for adequate and effective protection against

discrimination based on sexual orientation (Argentina);

115.45 Ensure better recognition of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual,

transgender and intersex persons and combat discrimination against them

(France);

115.46 Take measures to combat violence based on sexual orientation and

gender identity, by guaranteeing freedom of speech and association for lesbian,

gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (Brazil);

115.47 Modify section 282 of the Criminal Code by inserting a direct

indication that hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity

will be an aggravating circumstance and punishable by law (Chile);

115.48 Implement policies and programmes to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual,

transgender and intersex persons from violence and intimidation, for instance

by developing training programmes for police officers, or by including attacks

against such persons under section 282 of the Criminal Code Act of 1838

(Netherlands);

115.49 Repeal the sections of its Criminal Code that criminalize same-sex

relationships between consenting adults and strengthen efforts to address

inequality and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

(Australia);

115.50 Repeal section 250 of the Criminal Code criminalizing homosexual

relations between consenting adults (Belgium);

115.51 Repeal section 250 of the Criminal Code Act with a view to

decriminalizing same-sex sexual conduct between consenting adults (Canada);

115.52 Repeal section 250 of the Criminal Code, with a view to

decriminalizing same-sex conduct between consenting adults, in line with the

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Ireland);

115.53 Repeal the criminalization of consensual sexual relations between

adults of the same sex (Argentina);

115.54 Repeal all laws that criminalize persons based on their sexual

orientation and gender identity (Iceland);

115.55 Take necessary measures to eliminate discrimination and protect the

rights of vulnerable groups, including migrant workers (Nepal);

115.56 Continue to provide effective remedies to victims of racial

discrimination (South Africa);

115.57 Increase efforts to address social exclusion of older persons and

discrimination against minorities (Guyana);

115.58 Continue addressing remaining discriminatory practices and other

challenges in order to comply with human rights standards (Mozambique);

115.59 Continue efforts to eliminate discrimination by supporting the Equal

Opportunities Commission to execute its mandate (Uganda);

115.60 Continue to take into account the vulnerabilities, needs and views of

women, children and persons with disabilities in developing projects, policies or

programmes on issues related to climate change and disaster risk management

(Fiji);

115.61 Develop policies to mitigate the impact of climate change and other

disaster-related challenges on the full enjoyment of the human rights of the

vulnerable (Lesotho);

115.62 Continue to take into account in a concrete way the vulnerabilities,

needs and viewpoints of marginalized groups when drafting policies or

programmes on issues relating to climate change (Haiti);1

115.63 Ensure that a human rights-based approach is taken when

formulating policies and enacting measures on the mitigation of and adaptation

to climate change (Seychelles);

115.64 Reinforce human and financial resources for the National Disaster

Risk Reduction and Management Council to better adapt to climate change

(Senegal);

115.65 Take necessary legislative steps to abolish the death penalty

(Ukraine);

115.66 Incorporate the provisions of the Convention against Torture in the

domestic legal framework, with a view to absolutely prohibiting torture (Spain);

115.67 Secure an absolute ban on torture in legislation (Ukraine);

115.68 Take effective measures to ensure accountability for abuses

perpetrated by police, security forces and other officials (United States of

America);

115.69 Take steps to prevent abuse by police and ensure investigations

progress in a timely manner (Australia);

115.70 Continue efforts on the Government’s proposal for the Police and

Criminal Justice Bill so that a law will be drawn up to identify practices to be

observed by police officers (Libya);

1 The recommendation, as read out during the interactive dialogue, was: “Take into account in a

concrete way the vulnerabilities, needs and viewpoints of marginalized groups, in particular the

Creoles, when drafting policies or programmes on issues relating to climate change.”

115.71 Enforce laws penalizing officials for corruption, decreasing instances

of impunity for abuses by officials and security forces and reinforcing a climate

of accountability (United States of America);

115.72 Intensify efforts aimed at improving detention conditions in prison

(Georgia);

115.73 Ensure the conclusion and implementation of its national counter-

terrorism strategy, which is currently being prepared (Nigeria);

115.74 Enhance efforts to fight against corruption (Ethiopia);

115.75 Continue to take necessary steps to further improve transparency

and accountability in its financial sector, with a view to eliminating loopholes, if

any, that may contribute to illicit financial flows (Haiti);2

115.76 Ensure fair and equitable representation of different population

groups in public and political affairs in the context of the new electoral system,

with their full participation, with a view to removing obstacles linked to the

political representation of certain groups (Haiti);

115.77 Take a series of measures to ensure the adequate application of the

law on combating trafficking in persons, in particular by initiating proceedings

against perpetrators of crimes linked to this phenomenon (Democratic

Republic of the Congo);

115.78 Finalize the drafting of the national plan of action to combat

trafficking in persons (Gabon);

115.79 Adopt a comprehensive national action plan to combat human

trafficking (Côte d’Ivoire);

115.80 Adopt a comprehensive action plan to prevent, combat and prosecute

all forms of trafficking in persons (Honduras);

115.81 Effectively curb and combat human trafficking, safeguarding the

rights of victims (Nepal);

115.82 Continue fortifying efforts in addressing human trafficking,

particularly in children, including by developing capacity for trafficking

investigations and prosecutions (Indonesia);

115.83 Continue its endeavours to combat child labour and trafficking in

persons, including women and children (Islamic Republic of Iran);

115.84 Continue to strengthen efforts to combat child trafficking (Maldives);

115.85 Continue its efforts to enhance legal measures and programmes to

address violence against women and children and to respond to trends in

trafficking in persons (Philippines);

115.86 Further strengthen partnership between governments, civil society

and the business sector to eliminate forced and bonded labour from supply

chains in Mauritius (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);

115.87 Take necessary measures to eliminate discrimination against

domestic workers in order for them to enjoy their human rights as all other

workers do (Islamic Republic of Iran);

115.88 Continue to promote sustainable economic and social development

and fight against poverty, so as to provide a solid foundation for the enjoyment

of all human rights by its people (China);

2 The recommendation, as read out during the interactive dialogue was: “Take all necessary steps to

improve transparency and accountability in its financial sector, with a view to eliminating loopholes

that may contribute to illicit financial flows.”

115.89 Continue its efforts to empower people living in poverty (Bolivarian

Republic of Venezuela);

115.90 Roll out its social empowerment programmes countrywide in order to

further improve the living standards of all citizens (Zimbabwe);

115.91 Continue successful efforts to ensure an adequate standard of living

for Mauritians (Malaysia);

115.92 Continue efforts aimed at the protection of vulnerable groups,

particularly the elderly (Tunisia);

115.93 Continue working to improve health-care and education services to

ensure a better standard of living for its population (Cuba);

115.94 Strengthen its efforts to improve the nutritional status of infants,

children and mothers (Islamic Republic of Iran);

115.95 Continue to guarantee access to free health care for its population

(Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);

115.96 Revise the Criminal Code so that women can access legal, safe and

voluntary termination of pregnancy, and guarantee the provision of the

respective medical services (Iceland);

115.97 Continue its efforts to implement its anti-drug awareness campaigns

and national prevention programmes (Philippines);

115.98 Continue to take positive measures to better protect the rights of

women and children, and continue to make progress in the field of education

(China);

115.99 Continue consolidating the school feeding programme and the fight

against school absenteeism (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);

115.100 Step up efforts to ensure full access to education for Creole-speaking

children (Georgia);

115.101 Continue efforts to improve educational opportunities for children in

rural areas (Maldives);

115.102 Consider utilizing human rights education and training programmes

to further mainstream the promotion of rights of women and children

(Philippines);

115.103 Continue efforts in awareness-raising, training and human rights

education programmes at all levels of education (Libya);

115.104 Intensify international cooperation through partnerships, with the

aim of assisting national authorities in affirming and opening up quality higher

education to regional vocations (Angola);

115.105 Strengthen efforts towards a better promotion of gender equality, in

particular the finalization and adoption of the Gender Equality Bill (Armenia);

115.106 Strengthen protection against gender-based discriminatory practices

(Zimbabwe);

115.107 Continue to promote gender equality, work to end violence against

women and remove barriers to women’s active participation across all spheres

of life (Australia);

115.108 Expand activities aimed at educating and empowering women and

girls on gender-based violence and the recourses available to them, for instance

through awareness campaigns and support services (Canada);

115.109 Combat domestic violence and ensure integration and more equitable

representation of women in the political sphere (France);

115.110 Expand measures being taken to address attitudes and stereotypes

that lead to discrimination and violence against women and girls (Guyana);

115.111 Accelerate efforts towards eliminating violence against women and

consider adopting relevant legislation (Georgia);

115.112 Pursue the effective implementation of measures to combat violence

against women (Djibouti);

115.113 Take urgent steps to address gender-based violence by strengthening

investigations, prosecutions and convictions, and by introducing public

information campaigns to encourage victims to report such crimes and to deter

further offences (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);

115.114 Hold accountable those responsible for acts of violence against

women, including those responsible for domestic violence and sexual and

gender-based violence (United States of America);

115.115 Improve the effective implementation of existing legislation on

domestic violence, including by strengthening efforts to bring perpetrators to

justice (Belgium);

115.116 Strengthen access to justice for victims of gender-based and domestic

violence, investigate all allegations of sexual violence, bring perpetrators to

justice and provide training to law enforcement and the judiciary on how to

properly interact with possible victims when their claims are brought forth and

on how to manage cases accordingly (Canada);

115.117 Strengthen efforts to set up an integrated support service against

domestic violence (Ethiopia);

115.118 Continue to strengthen application of the law to combat gender and

domestic violence (Spain);

115.119 Take further measures to guarantee the realization of the rights of

women and girls, especially to fight against all forms of violence and to

eradicate child, early and forced marriage (Portugal);

115.120 Continue to promote women’s empowerment, gender equality and

representation in decision-making bodies, especially through the active

participation of women in social, economic and political fields (South Africa);

115.121 Continue reforms to increase women’s participation in political life at

higher levels (United Arab Emirates);

115.122 Continue positive steps to the achievement of gender equality by

taking further measures to promote women’s full and equal participation in

political and public life (Iceland);

115.123 Promote increasing the number of women participating in the

National Assembly and decision-making bodies (Iraq);

115.124 Step up efforts to promote gender equality, particularly with regard

to the underrepresentation of women in political and decision-making positions

(Rwanda);

115.125 Improve representation of women in the parliament (Senegal);

115.126 Take adequate measures in order to provide more women to be

presented in the national parliament and decision-making institutions and

bodies (Serbia);

115.127 Enforce existing legislation and strengthen programmes to ensure

equality of wages between men and women (Spain);

115.128 Continue efforts to eliminate discrimination against women,

particularly in the labour market (Tunisia);

115.129 Solve the problem of the stereotyped distribution of professions in the

labour market (Congo);

115.130 Consider setting up a follow-up mechanism for the implementation of

the Code of Corporate Governance of 2017 regarding greater representation of

women on boards of directors (United Arab Emirates);

115.131 Finalize and adopt the Children’s Bill agreed to during the second

review cycle and take measures to further strengthen legal mechanisms for the

protection of the rights of child victims and child offenders (Bhutan);

115.132 Work for the improvement of the bill on children’s rights

(Cameroon);

115.133 Adopt as soon as possible the consolidated Children’s Bill, addressing

key issues such as children’s access to justice and the prohibition of corporal

punishment in all spheres of society, promoting the adoption of non-violent

disciplinary measures (Uruguay);

115.134 Finalize the drafting and adoption of the Children’s Bill and the bill

on adoption (Gabon);

115.135 Adopt the consolidated Children’s Bill, including a prohibition of all

forms of corporal punishment of children in all settings (Germany);

115.136 Strengthen measures to ensure protection of women’s and children’s

rights, including by implementing fully the relevant laws as well as finalizing

adoption of the consolidated Children’s Bill (Ireland);

115.137 Step up efforts towards the adoption of a bill on children in order to

ensure the best standards of health and protection for children (Jordan);

115.138 Consider taking further steps to finalize the Children’s Bill, which

will, inter alia, abolish corporal punishment in all settings (Namibia);

115.139 Complete the legislative process for the adoption of the Children’s

Bill (Algeria);

115.140 Enact and effectively implement the Children’s Bill (Seychelles);

115.141 Adopt, without delay, a consolidated Children’s Bill allowing the

Convention on the Rights of the Child to be properly domesticated (Slovenia);

115.142 Continue efforts to finalize the passing of the Children’s Bill and

Adoption Bill (Uganda);

115.143 Continue its endeavour to promote and protect the rights of the child

in light of the Government’s finalization and adoption of the draft Children’s

Bill (Armenia);

115.144 Put further amendments in its legal frameworks in the field of child

protection in compliance with international human rights standards

(Afghanistan);

115.145 Ensure compliance with the minimum age for marriage, established

at 18 years (Chile);

115.146 Consider reviewing the Civil Code that allows marriage for girls

below the age of 18 (Namibia);

115.147 Amend the Child Protection Act and raise the age of marriage to 18

years (Kenya);

115.148 Enact and implement legislation that protects children’s rights, with

a specific focus on fighting against child, early and forced marriage (Italy);

115.149 Integrate the principle of taking into account the best interests of the

child into all legislative and judicial procedures as well as into policies

concerning children (Congo);

115.150 Adopt a strategy to combat child labour, in particular in its worst

forms; strengthen labour inspection to detect and punish child labour; and

improve protection and reinsertion programmes (Democratic Republic of the

Congo);

115.151 Continue efforts to empower youth (Egypt);

115.152 Guarantee the rights of children and better assist children in

vulnerable situations (France);

115.153 Strengthen laws and policies aimed at protecting children’s rights,

particularly those aimed at prohibiting, preventing and responding to the sale

and sexual exploitation of children (Botswana);

115.154 Ensure that its domestic legislation relating to sexual exploitation of

children meets international standards, and provide adequate access to

recovery and reintegration measures to child victims of sexual abuse

(Germany);

115.155 Continue to sensitize both adults and children to the rights of

children, particularly in the context of child poverty and child sexual abuse

(Malaysia);

115.156 Continue to strengthen efforts to combat child abuse in all its forms,

by adopting and implementing the Children’s Bill, with particular attention on

issues such as corporal punishment, early and forced marriage, trafficking,

sexual exploitation and forced prostitution (Netherlands);

115.157 Continue efforts to promote children’s rights and their protection

from trafficking and sexual exploitation (Tunisia);

115.158 Redouble efforts to strengthen measures to protect the rights of the

child, including by preventing violence against children and improving quality

education for children (Indonesia);

115.159 Establish an action plan to prevent and counter the abuse of children,

and eradicate violence against children (Iraq);

115.160 Ensure enhanced coordination among the law enforcement agencies

in terms of proceeding cases of child abuse (Afghanistan);

115.161 Adopt a legislative mechanism to prohibit and punish all forms of

violence against and ill-treatment of children (Madagascar);

115.162 Intensify efforts to formulate a comprehensive strategy for

preventing and combating child abuse, including the prohibition of corporal

punishment in all settings (Ukraine);

115.163 Take the necessary measures to ensure adequate and effective

protection against all forms of discrimination against different ethnic groups

and minorities, through awareness-raising and education programmes aimed at

highlighting the contribution of each ethnic group (Argentina);

115.164 Adopt concrete measures within the framework of the Convention on

the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, with a view to

materializing social inclusion of minorities (Angola);

115.165 Provide further opportunities for simultaneous training and access to

information in Mauritian Creole/Kreol Morisien (Trinidad and Tobago);

115.166 Continue to remedy the economic disadvantages and cultural,

structural and informal disadvantages of Mauritian Creoles by implementing

policies conducive to their economic development, with their full participation

(Haiti);

115.167 Continue developing actions to promote the rights of persons with

disabilities and their participation in the country’s development (Cuba);

115.168 Continue efforts to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities

(Egypt);

115.169 Pursue work to prepare a bill on persons with disabilities in order to

combat discrimination against them (Jordan);

115.170 Continue to provide further protection to persons with disabilities,

notably children (South Africa);

115.171 Ensure that access to education for children with disabilities is

guaranteed and respected, as well as their inclusion in all human rights spheres

(Madagascar);

115.172 Support the inclusion of children with disabilities in mainstream

schools, as far as possible (Trinidad and Tobago);

115.173 Continue to promote and protect the rights of persons with

disabilities, particularly by preventing violence and abuse against them (Islamic

Republic of Iran);

115.174 Reinforce all measures to combat violence and ill-treatment against

persons with disabilities and to ensure that all those responsible for such acts

are held accountable under the law (Madagascar);

115.175 Adopt measures to combat violence against and abuse and neglect of

persons with disabilities and persons with mental health conditions, including

by prohibiting forced sterilization and respecting their autonomy and free and

informed consent, while promoting their inclusion in the community and

combating institutionalization (Portugal);

115.176 Introduce legal safeguards to protect children born in the country

from statelessness (Kenya).

116. 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 Mauritius was headed by H.E. MR. MANEESH GOBIN,

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms and

composed of the following members:

• Mrs. Asha Devi BURRENCHOBAY, Senior Chief Executive, Ministry of Justice,

Human Rights and Institutional Reforms;

• Mr. Rajkumar SOOKUN, Acting Permanent Representative, Embassy and

Permanent Mission of Mauritius to the United Nations, Geneva;

• Mrs. Prameeta GOORDYAL-CHITTOO, Assistant Solicitor-General;

• Mrs. A. PILLAY-NABABSING, State Counsel, Attorney General’s Office;

• Mr. Parasram GOPAUL, Counsellor, Embassy and Permanent Mission of Mauritius

to the United Nations, Geneva;

• Mr. A.D. RUGHOOBUR, Temporary Financial and Governance Analyst,Ministry

of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms;

• Mr. Nikesh HEEROWA, Second Secretary, Embassy and Permanent Mission of

Mauritius to the United Nations, Geneva;

• Mrs. Fee Young LI PIN YUEN, Second Secretary, Embassy and Permanent Mission

of Mauritius to the United Nations, Geneva.