2. Views expressed by member and observer States of
the Council on the review outcome
1011. Tunisia commended Mali on its commitment to the universal periodic review and its efforts in the promotion and protection of human rights, noting in particular the progress made in
the establishment of democratic institutions and consolidation of the rule of law. In this context, Tunisia noted that Mali should serve as an example. Tunisia also noted the establishment of a programme between the United Nations and Mali, to be implemented between 2008 and 2012 with the aim of promoting human rights and gender issues. This programme will certainly strengthen the progress already made and the achievements in the areas of equal opportunity and equality. Tunisia further highlighted Mali’s determination to promote a culture of human rights, as reflected in the national programme of education and citizenship.
1012. The Philippines indicated that the delegation of the Government of Mali has exhibited a clear and strong commitment to upholding human rights standards by constructively and openly engaging in the universal periodic review process. The Philippines commended Mali on this commitment, acknowledging that the Government has made substantial progress in promoting human rights, in spite of the constraints of limited resources. The Philippines encouraged the international community to support Mali’s initiatives to improve the socio-economic situation of its people. The Philippines appreciated that Mali has accepted a number of recommendations and supported the Government’s efforts to strengthen its democracy and the rule of law. The Philippines noted that Mali is seeking to strengthen national human rights policies and programmes, in adherence with international human rights treaties to which it is a party. The Philippines expressed its hope that Mali will continue on this progressive path and continue its efforts, especially in the fields of health and education.
1013. Senegal expressed satisfaction that Mali had accepted the majority of the recommendations formulated during the debates of the Working Group. This position is a new manifestation of the constant commitment of the Malian authorities in favour of the defence of human rights and of Mali’s sincere will to advance in this regard. In particular, Senegal referred to progress already made in the areas of education, health care and the promotion of the rights of children and women. For that reason, Senegal was optimistic that the implementation of the recommendations accepted by Mali will improve the human rights situation in the country. However, Senegal underlined that in order to implement some of those recommendations, Mali will need assistance from the international community.
1014. Algeria thanked the delegation of Mali for the responses and comments made to all recommendations formulated within the framework of the examination of the national report by the Working Group. Algeria acknowledged the participative democracy in Mali and the success of the country in complying with its international human rights obligations. Algeria welcomed Mali’s acceptance of 21 recommendations and noted that Mali expressed reservations to only 1 recommendation and declared its intention to continue discussing 5 others. Algeria congratulated the Government of Mali for this sustained engagement, taking into consideration its limited resources and the challenges resulting from its commitment to pursuing its priorities in the areas of economic development and the fight against poverty. To better protect human rights, notably through the implementation of its economic and social development programme and its work against poverty, Mali requested the support of the international community. Algeria invited the international community, in particular OHCHR, to respond positively to this request and to provide Mali with the appropriate assistance, including assistance to enable it to submit its reports to the treaty bodies in a timely manner.
1015. No comments were made by other stakeholders.
4. Views expressed on the outcome by the State under
review and concluding remarks
1016. In its concluding remarks, the delegation of Mali thanked all States that had taken the floor to give advice and renew their support and assistance in the universal periodic review process. It also wished to thank the President of the Council, the Secretariat, the interpreters and “all those technicians who work behind the scenes and are not often seen in this brightly lit hall” for their efforts. Lastly, it reiterated Mali’s commitment to implementing all of the recommendations that the country had accepted.
B. General debate on agenda item 6
1017. At the 22nd meeting, on 13 June 2008, the Council held a general debate on item 6, during which the following made statements:
(a) Representatives of States members of the Council: Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Egypt (on behalf of the Group of African States), Malaysia, Russian Federation, Slovenia (on behalf of the European Union, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Ukraine), Switzerland;
(b) Observers for the following States: Algeria, Morocco, New Zealand (also on behalf of Norway), Turkey;
(c) Observer for an intergovernmental organization: International Organization of la Francophonie;
(d) Observers for non-governmental organizations: Amnesty International, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) (also on behalf of the Asian Legal Resource Centre, the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development, the International Movement against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism and the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development), Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Indian Council of South America, International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, International Service for Human Rights (also on behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia), the Baha’i International Community, Human Rights Watch and Pax Romana), Latin American Committee for the Defence of Women’s Rights (also on behalf of Action Canada for Population and Development and the International Women’s Rights Action Watch - Asia Pacific).
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