On Monday, 30 March 2015, the Special Rapporteur for the follow-up on concluding observations, Mr. Salvioli, presented his report to the Human Rights Committee.
The text adopted contains grades ranging from the highest level of satisfaction (grade A) of the States’ responses to the lowest (grade E). It assesses the recent information received on the implementation of the Committee’s recommendations in relation to Jordan, Serbia, Yemen, Lithuania, Germany, Czech Republic, Finland, Mauritania and Uruguay.
JordanThe need to obtain additional information was pointed out with reference to the measures taken by Jordan to provide adequate resources to the NHRI (C1), to end the practice of administrative detention and amend the Law on Crime Prevention (C2) and the abolition of the State Security Court (B2).
YemenThe refusal of Yemen to abolish the gender discriminatory provisions in matters of marriage, divorce, testimony and inheritance was regretted by the Committee (E). Additional information was required on other issues such as the establishment of an independent NHRI (B2), the investigation of killings committed by security forces against civilians (B2) and asylum seekers (B2 and D1).
Czech RepublicCzech Republic’s assessment also resulted in a mixed picture: while appreciating the efforts to combat racism and hate crimes (A), additional information has to be provided on the issues related to the cases of forced sterilization (C1) and the financial and human resources situation of the Public Defender of Rights (B2).
FinlandFinland’s evaluation focused on, among other things, issues related to the detention of asylum seekers (B2), including the living conditions in the Metsala detention centre (C2), as well as the implementation of the rights of the Sami (B2).
MauritaniaThe lack of investigations of acts of torture or excessive use of force in Mauritania were graded with a C2. On other hand, the Committee welcomed the adoption of a road map for the eradication of slavery and requested information on its implementation (B1). Additionally, the Committee required updated statistics on the number of prison facilities, the capacity and the number of inmates held therein. (B2).
UruguayUruguay’s response to the constraints to increase the budget of the NHRI in 2014 (C2) and the lack of action to implement the Committee’s recommendation on the investigation and prosecution of past human rights violations (C2) were also assessed in the report.
IndonesiaThe Committee noted with concern the recent executions of prisoners convicted for drug-related crimes in Indonesia, in contrary to the Committee’s recommendations (E). Regarding the other issues addressed, such as the investigation and prosecution of past human rights violations (B2 and C1) Female Genital Mutilation (B1) and the protection of religious communities (C1), the Committee reiterated its recommendations and required more information.
SerbiaThe Committee welcomed the measures taken by Serbia to expedite the investigations of war crimes, but regretted insufficient information was provided on the outcome of investigation of the killing of more than 800 persons in Batajnica (B2). The adoption of the National Judicial Reform Strategy for 2013-2018 and the measures taken to improve access of the Roma to employment, education and housing were also appreciated (B1).
LithuaniaHaving provided a largely satisfactory response on the progress made in the area of awareness-raising campaigns to counter negative sentiments against LGBT individuals, Lithuania was awarded an A. However, more information was required concerning measures to ensure national legislation is not applied in a discriminatory manner (C2).
GermanyThe progress of Germany regarding the suspension of transfer of asylum seekers to Greece was welcomed by the Committee (A). Additional information was requested on the use of physical restraint measures in residential homes and care facilities (B2).
The full report of the Human Rights Committee will soon be available online.
