1. Views of the State under review concerning recommendations
and/or conclusions, as well as its voluntary commitments
876. The delegation of Ukraine stated that the Government of Ukraine carefully examined the five recommendations contained in paragraph 58 of the report, and as a result has decided to accept recommendation 2 made by Portugal on signing and ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto, and recommendation 4 made by Italy on ensuring the safety and proper treatment of all persons held in custody by the police and to consider the establishment of an independent police complaints mechanism.
877. The delegation of Ukraine added that recommendations 3 and 5 were not accepted. Regarding recommendation 1 proposed by Mexico on strengthening efforts to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, the Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons of 1954 and the Convention to Reduce Statelessness of 1961, Ukraine stated that for the time being, this recommendation was not accepted. However, it emphasized that Ukraine makes all necessary efforts at national level to protect the rights of migrants, migrant workers and stateless persons. Furthermore, the Government was elaborating the concept of State Migration Policy, which will draw on international and European experience in solving migration issues. In this connection, a number of amendments were to be introduced into national legislation, in particular, in the law on the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons, the law on migration and the new law on refugees and persons who are in need of additional temporary protection in Ukraine.
878. The Russian Federation noted with satisfaction that Ukraine has adopted the majority of recommendations made during the review and its intention to ensure full and effective alignment of its national legislation and practices in applying the law with the obligations deriving from its accession to international legal instruments, including treaties related to the protection of national minorities, as suggested in one of the recommendations made by the Russian Federation. It expressed disappointment at Ukraine’s refusal to consider other recommendations, specifically those related to providing access to education in a mother tongue for minorities compactly settled in some areas. Further, Russian should be assigned the status of second official language, as the Russian language was historically a mother tongue for almost half the people of the country. The attitude of the Ukrainian authorities towards the interests and rights of its own citizens runs counter to realities of life existing in Ukraine, as well as to its obligations under the regional and international legal instruments related to the protection of minorities.
879. Azerbaijan commended Ukraine on its national report, efforts undertaken, and ground covered since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s towards building a free and democratic society, ensuring the rule of law and protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms. Azerbaijan also welcomed efforts of the Government of Ukraine to reform the criminal justice system, to counter violence against women and children, and to improve the conditions in prisons and correctional institutions. The Government of Ukraine was encouraged to continue progressing in future and Azerbaijan noted that it had accepted a number of recommendations, demonstrating Ukraine’s will and genuine commitment to human rights.
880. Guatemala commended Ukraine on the constructive and positive role that Ukraine played in the universal periodic review process. As a member of the troika, Guatemala welcomed the openness and cooperation shown by the members of the Ukrainian delegation, composed of high-level governmental representatives from different sectors, which reflected the importance attached by the Government of Ukraine to the review exercise, as well as its commitment to the protection of human rights. Guatemala was convinced that Ukraine will make further efforts to implement and follow up on the large number of recommendations made by the Working Group and which it had accepted.
881. Prison Fellowship International expressed satisfaction with the proceedings of the universal periodic review concerning Ukraine and noted the attention it paid to the situation in prisons and the justice system, including by adopting a new criminal procedure code, introducing alternatives to prison, and drawing up a State programme for the improvement of prison conditions. Among the promising steps towards progressive change in the prison system, it noted the increasing cooperation with civil society, the possibility for visits by chaplains and volunteers of religious organizations, the creative use of humanitarian assistance for vocational training of juvenile prisoners, and the post-penitentiary centres for released prisoners. Prison Fellowship International suggested that the procedures for receiving humanitarian assistance for prisons be simplified.
882. The delegation of Ukraine expressed its gratitude to all members of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review for the grounded and well-balanced approach in their examination of the Ukrainian national report. Special gratitude went to all those who participated in the interactive dialogue, which took place during the review of the national report. Ukraine attaches great importance to the recommendations contained in the report of the Working Group, and it was the delegation’s strong conviction that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure their fulfilment.
Sri Lanka
883. The review of Sri Lanka was held on 13 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 Sri Lanka in accordance with the annex to Council resolution 5/1, paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/LKA/1); the compilation prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/LKA/2); and the summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/LKA/3).
884. At its 21st meeting, on 13 June 2008, the Council considered and adopted the outcome of the review on Sri Lanka (see A/HRC/8/52, chap. VI, paras. 257-259).
885. The outcome of the review on Sri Lanka is constituted of the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/8/46), together with the views of Sri Lanka 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 (A/HRC/8/46/Add.1).
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