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

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

247. Morocco noted the actions taken by Tunisia since the review, and in particular the promulgation of laws concerning the accession by Tunisia to the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, as well as the withdrawal of its reservations to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It also took note of the submission of its periodic reports to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Committee on the Rights of the Child. It welcomed the promulgation of a law on a national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles which is consistent with a recommendation made during the universal periodic review and demonstrates the commitment of Tunisia to the implementation of the recommendations. It further noted that the invitation sent to the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism is also an illustration of Tunisia’s commitment.

248. Qatar, on behalf of the Group of Arab States, commended Tunisia on the measures taken in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms and expressed esteem for its cooperation with the Council. Qatar noted the long series of measures taken after the review, which reflects Tunisia’s determination to respect the commitments undertaken and its decision to implement the recommendations of the Working Group. It welcomed the adoption of the law concerning the establishment of a national human rights institution consistent with the Paris Principles and the invitation extended to the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism. It further noted the great interest shown by Tunisia in cooperating with the civil society, and in particular with Human Rights Watch with which there has been an agreement on regular visits to prisons in Tunisia. It noted that Tunisia has continued to opt for new measures and has acceded to human rights instruments, such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Qatar reiterated its appreciation for the efforts made and the measures taken by Tunisia with a view to respecting its commitments, and called upon all human rights forums to continue to provide assistance to Tunisia so that all its commitments may be translated into concrete facts.

249. Belgium noted that during the review it had expressed its concern at the freedom of expression, the freedom of the press, and the situation of human rights defenders in Tunisia. It noted that the conclusions contained in the report of the Working Group encouraging Tunisia to make efforts in these areas were formulated in a very general manner. Belgium reiterated its hope that the Press Code will be harmonized with the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in particular as regards the crime of defamation. It welcomed the announcement made by Tunisia to receive this month the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders of the African Commission of Human and People’s Rights and hoped that this visit will make it possible for Tunisia to welcome, in the near future, the special procedure of the Council competent in this area.

250. Indonesia expressed its appreciation for the presentation made by the Minister on the occasion of the adoption of the Working Group report. It commended Tunisia on the information provided and on the measures taken as part of the follow-up to the review, which reflect Tunisia’s commitment to implementing the recommendations made during the review. It also noted with appreciation various initiatives undertaken by Tunisia and welcomed the invitation extended to the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism as well as the upcoming visits of two special procedures mandate holders of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights to Tunisia. It also welcomed the commitments made by Tunisia to further enhance measures for the promotion and protection of human rights. It also congratulated it on the adoption into national laws of normative legislation on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and welcomed the establishment of a body which is in charge of following up on recommendations of the treaty bodies. Indonesia also commended Tunisia on its ongoing measures and encouraged it to further enhance the application of human rights norms in the country based on its commitments made to implement the recommendations emanating from the review by the Working Group.

251. Pakistan noted Tunisia’s successful review and that it had accepted all the recommendations made to it. It also noted Tunisia’s positive tradition of following up on its commitments and that it has extended an invitation to the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism and adopted a law concerning a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles. It also noted that Tunisia has adopted laws regarding its accession to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and withdrawn its reservations to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It welcomed Tunisia’s decision to adopt a bill providing jurisdictional guarantees for detainees and the submission of its periodic reports to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Committee on the Rights of the Child. It commended Tunisia on its engagement with regional structures for the promotion and protection of human rights and other steps taken, and wished Tunisia well in its efforts to guarantee the promotion and protection of the human rights of its citizens.

252. Angola welcomed the willingness of Tunisia to implement several recommendations proposed in the context of the review and its readiness to engage in an open and constructive dialogue regarding the situation of human rights. It expressed its appreciation for the efforts made by Tunisia to enhance in a concrete manner the situation of human rights in the field of civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights, taking into consideration the positive dialogue during the process of the universal periodic review. It noted that Tunisia is showing a great commitment to the improvement of human rights by committing itself to the implementation of several international human rights instruments. It welcomed Tunisia’s policies to promote gender equality through the adoption of legislative measures to ensure an effective implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. It also welcomed the measures taken to reinforce juridical guarantees for preventive detentions and measures to withdraw its reservation to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It took note with satisfaction of the invitation extended to the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, and Tunisia’s readiness to cooperate with the African Commission for Human and People’s Rights.

253. Bahrain welcomed the positive measures and actions undertaken by Tunisia pursuant to the recommendations made by the Working Group. It noted that the adoption of measures shows that Tunisia is committed to giving a new emphasis to the human rights movement and promoting it, as well as to strengthening of cooperation with United Nations and regional bodies. It welcomed the adoption of a law on a national human rights institution consistent with the Paris Principles, strengthening the autonomy and administrative independence of that body and its working methods. It welcomed the establishment of a human rights coordinator to follow up on the recommendations made by treaty bodies and Tunisia’s cooperation with United Nations mechanisms with a view to promoting and protecting human rights.

254. Cuba commended Tunisia on the efforts and progress made in the field of human rights, including on the tangible results obtained in the promotion and protection of fundamental rights, notably in the areas of education and health. It recognized the progress made toward achieving equality between men and women, eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and protecting vulnerable groups, in particular the rights of children. It noted that the experience and results of Tunisia in the area of the eradication of poverty based in particular on the implementation of the national programme to help families in need is very useful, and noted that this initiative should be an example for other countries. It noted that Tunisia is a country of peace and solidarity and that its move toward economic and social development and its achievements in these areas are impressive despite the difficult international context. It noted that the review gave an opportunity to appreciate the genuine political will of Tunisia and its clear commitment to human rights.