Views expressed on the outcome by the State under review and concluding remarks

4. Views expressed on the outcome by the State
under review and concluding remarks

Tonga

937. At its 21st meeting, on 13 June 2008, the Council considered and adopted the outcome of the review on Tonga (see section C below).

938. The outcome of the review on Tonga is constituted of the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/8/48), together with the views of Tonga 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.

1. Views of the State under review concerning recommendations
and/or conclusions, as well as its voluntary commitments

940. Tonga paid a particular tribute to the role and work of the troika (Mexico, Nigeria and Qatar) as well as to the secretariat of OHCHR, with whom it was able to achieve and accept 31 recommendations.

941. Tonga also paid tribute to the support and assistance of New Zealand and the Commonwealth Secretariat, which assisted Tonga during the process for the preparatory work for the universal periodic review. Tonga noted that the time and capacity constraints were in no way an obstacle for the Government to sincerely support and contribute to the work of the Council.

942. Tonga stressed that the national report submitted to the universal periodic review mechanism was the result of an intense and broad consultation which included the civil society, the private sector and the Church. Tonga reiterated its willingness to share its experience with small island States of the Pacific region as well as others. It also reaffirmed its pledges and commitment to continue to support and cooperate with the Council and its universal periodic review.

2. Views expressed by member and observer States
of the Council on the review outcome

944. Morocco welcomed the delegation of Tonga and thanked them for the presentation and cooperation with the Council throughout the universal periodic review process. It commended Tonga on its commitment to ratifying the key international human rights instruments to which it is not a party and the steps taken towards instituting a democracy. It indicated that the review of Tonga, which has no representation in Geneva, raised the question of the contributions by small islands. It stated that the proposal to open an office of cooperation for Pacific islands in Geneva deserves full attention and would have a positive impact on the work of the Council. At the same time, it noted the expectations of Tonga in terms of technical assistance and capacity building and indicated that this should be considered with the greatest diligence by OHCHR in order to assist Tonga in its efforts to build a democracy and ensure the promotion and protection of human rights.

945. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wished to place on record its thanks to the delegation of Tonga for the open and constructive approach it has taken to the universal periodic review. As noted by many countries throughout the review process, it observed that to be among the first countries to be reviewed by a new mechanism offered particular challenges and that for a smaller country, those challenges were even greater. The United Kingdom believed that Tonga’s approach to the universal periodic review had shown that this mechanism was truly universal and could offer added value to countries’ efforts to advance their human rights record. The United Kingdom made recommendations to Tonga on the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and on the involvement of civil society in the follow-up to the review, and was gratified that those and other recommendations were accepted by Tonga. It looked forward to seeing progress on those recommendations at Tonga’s next review in four years’ time.

946. Maldives welcomed the report of the Working Group and congratulated Tonga for conducting itself in an exemplary manner throughout the process. It noted that the report reflected the proud cultural heritage of Tonga and its belief in the importance of individual rights and freedoms. The report also reflected the forward-looking nature of Tonga’s national report which identified a number of important challenges facing the country, and included many useful recommendations to help Tonga meet these challenges and strengthen the human rights protection for all its citizens. Maldives noted that the determination of small island States to improve the human rights promotion and protection in line with the core international conventions is not always matched by the necessary resources necessary and that capacity constraints are the biggest factor preventing small island States from cooperating more fully with the Council and other human rights mechanisms. Maldives requested the international community, including donor agencies and OHCHR to enter into a dialogue with Tonga and to work with it to help it in the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Working Group.

947. New Zealand stated that Tonga was the first country from the South Pacific region to be reviewed. It stated that Tonga had given the universal periodic review high priority, with the preparation of a comprehensive national report with the input of a number of non-governmental organizations. It observed that the quality of Tonga’s presentation resulted in a wide-ranging discussion during the review, in which many delegations actively participated. New Zealand recalled that, as a sign of the importance attached by the Government of Tonga to its participation in the review, the Prime Minister visited Geneva shortly before the review took place. New Zealand stated that for small island States of the Pacific, many with populations of 100,000 or less, participation in the universal periodic review was a major undertaking. It recognized the practical difficulties they faced in meeting their obligations under the universal periodic review process. New Zealand intended to convene a seminar early next year to assist officials of the Pacific Island Governments in working through the universal periodic review process. It would be most valuable to have a representation from Tonga, as a pioneer of the universal periodic review in the Pacific, to make the planned seminar a success.

948. Switzerland congratulated the delegation of Tonga for its commitment and cooperation during the universal periodic review. It was pleased to note that even a small State with limited resources was able to participate with a large delegation, was able to present a report, and engage in a substantive dialogue with the international community. It encouraged Tonga to continue its commitments along these lines, in particular its cooperation with civil society. It noted that the universal periodic review is a tool to enhance dialogue and therefore recommendations next time should be formulated in a targeted manner so as to enable small countries to accept and implement them. Switzerland reiterated its appreciation for the openness of Tonga in presenting its aspirations in the field of human rights while at the same time noting its remaining challenges.

949. Qatar appreciated Tonga’s cooperation and the constructive dialogue. It noted that Tonga responded to many of the recommendations made during the interactive dialogue and noted its agreement to these recommendations. It welcomed the pledge made by Tonga to continue the democratic reforms and to consider positively the recommendation to ensure ratification of core human rights treaties in addition to furthering cooperation with human rights mechanisms. It noted that Tonga expressed its willingness to ratify the two international covenants and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and to enact national laws to further the protection of women in employment. It also noted Tonga’s willingness to promote the protection of freedom of expression and information and the right to education, and to offer training for law enforcement agencies and to promote the participation of civil society in the protection and promotion of human rights. Qatar appreciated all the measures that have been taken by Tonga to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms. It called upon Tonga to continue the reform process which is under way for the benefit of the people of Tonga.