2. Views expressed by member and observer States of the Council
on the review outcome
720. Algeria congratulated the Government of Benin on its cooperation and commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, despite its limited resources and related constraints. It recalled that Benin had specified that the universal periodic review provided it with an opportunity to appeal to the international community to fill implementation gaps regarding its international commitments. It invited the international community and primarily OHCHR to respond to this appeal. Furthermore, it welcomed that primary education is free of charge and Benin’s willingness to consider Algeria’s recommendation to extend free education to the secondary level, with international assistance. It welcomed the establishment of an action plan to reduce poverty, including the question of illiteracy. It underlined that the international community has the responsibility to provide support to Benin, in particular through appropriate and durable provision of technical and financial assistance so that it can improve its performance in the area of human rights.
721. Morocco welcomed with satisfaction the fact that Benin agreed to 33 of the 34 recommendations made by the Working Group. It stated that the firm commitment of Benin with regard to the implementation of the recommendation Morocco made during the review was quite clear well before the adoption of the outcome of the Working Group. Benin started implementing some of its recommendations and the recent visit of the United Nations Sub-committee against Torture is part of the strengthening of the cooperation between the country and human rights mechanisms. It further noted the drafting of a law to refine the criminal code and bring the definition of torture in line with the definition contained in the Convention against Torture, and the decision to take immediate measures to improve conditions of detention. It expressed further the need for the Council to support the reforms undertaken to restore a modern democracy and the rule of law.
722. Senegal reminded that during the Working Group review of Benin it had underlined the progress achieved by Benin in the promotion of the rights of disabled persons, the realization of the right to education and providing access to clean water. Senegal also highlighted the need for the international community to provide appropriate technical assistance to Benin. Senegal reiterated that it maintained these views and expressed satisfaction about the commitment of Benin to overcome all challenges and improve the situation of human rights by implementing the recommendations that it had accepted.
723. Nigeria noted that Benin has already demonstrated practical and strong commitment to constructively engaging with the international system, as demonstrated by the ratification of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Statute of the International Criminal Court. It welcomed the steps taken by the Government to fully implement the recommendations emanating from the review, and to ensure the enjoyment by its citizens of a wide range of economic, social and cultural rights.
724. Djibouti congratulated Benin for the frank and comprehensive report and noted that it shows results achieved in the promotion and protection of human rights. It also congratulated Benin for its lucidity and sincerity in stressing the constraints that need to be dealt with and difficulties encountered in trying to meet remaining challenges. It called for international assistance to be provided to the country to help it in achieving and implementing the recommendations resulting from the review.
725. Franciscans International acknowledged Benin’s spirit of cooperation and the frank dialogue which characterized its involvement in the universal periodic review process. It noted that Benin acknowledged the existence and persistence of infanticide linked to traditional practices in the north of the country. It also encouraged Benin to further implement recommendations made by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Committee against Torture and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It encouraged the authorities to further continue its efforts to improve the quantity and quality of health infrastructures, including in the north of the country, and to sensitize women living in rural areas about the health risks linked to delivering at home.
726. The delegation of Benin warmly thanked all speakers and repeated Benin’s commitment to implement all the recommendations and measures addressed to it and that it has accepted. With reference to the intervention of Franciscans International, the delegation recalled and confirmed that Benin continue to intensify its efforts to eradicate the phenomenon of child sorcerers and all negative impact on women and children. It also referred to the constructive exchanges and fruitful discussion held during the universal periodic review of Benin and welcomed the initiative of the Council, its observations and recommendations. It finally reiterated Benin’s commitment to implement, in so far that it is able to do so, those recommendations and welcome any support in that regard.
Switzerland
727. The review of Switzerland was held on 8 May 2008 in conformity with all the relevant provisions contained in Council resolution 5/1, and was based on the following documents: the national report submitted by Switzerland in accordance with the annex to Council resolution 5/1, paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/CHE/1 and Corr.1); the compilation prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/CHE/2); and the summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/CHE/3).
728. At its 19th meeting, on 12 June 2008, the Council considered and adopted the outcome of the review on Switzerland (see section C below).
729. The outcome of the review on Switzerland is constituted of the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/8/41), together with the views of Switzerland concerning the recommendations and/or conclusions, as well as its voluntary commitments and
its replies presented before the adoption of the outcome by the plenary to questions or issues that were not sufficiently addressed during the interactive dialogue in the Working Group (see also A/HRC/8/41/Add.1).
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