A/HRC/12/14
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must be central to the corrections service, including the humane and lawful treatment of
detainees by the police and justice system, and asked how Vanuatu intended to promote such
respect. It recommended (b) supporting further human rights training for police, corrections and
justice officials; promoting regular, independent monitoring of detention facilities; and ensuring
that detainees have immediate and effective means of redress and protection when their rights
are violated. Citing the Family Protection Act as encouraging, it recommended (c) strengthening
efforts to work across agencies, and with women’s non-governmental organizations, to raise
awareness that domestic violence is unacceptable, to educate women on their rights and to
combat stereotypes and customary practices that perpetuate domestic violence.
39.
Azerbaijan recommended (a) acceding to the International Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol and the International
Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families; (b) reviewing
its domestic legislation in order to bring it into full conformity with all human rights
Conventions that Vanuatu is a party to, especially CEDAW and the Convention on the Rights of
the Child and to implement specific recommendations made by the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women in this regard; (c) establishing a national human
rights institution in compliance with the Paris Principles; (d) taking efficient measures to combat
corruption; (e) taking all necessary measures to modify or eliminate cultural practices and
stereotypes that discriminate against women including awareness-raising as well as to ensure that
in its family law both spouses have the same rights and responsibilities; (f) adopting
comprehensive measures to address violence against women and enact legislation to ensure that
such violence, including sexual abuse, constitutes a criminal offence; (g) taking all measures to
eradicate the practice of corporal punishment in family, juvenile justice systems and to ensure
effective implementation of the ban of this punishment in schools; (h) taking further steps to
ensure the independence of the judiciary; (i) reviewing its legislation with the purpose to bring
the low minimum age for criminal responsibility into full conformity with the Convention on the
Rights of the Child; (j) stepping up its efforts to ensure adequate access to quality basic health
and education services, particularly for those living in isolated rural areas and for vulnerable
groups; and (k) continuing its efforts to reduce the maternal and child mortality rates.
40.
Morocco said the international community should reflect on ways to guarantee the
possibility for small countries to contribute to the international human rights system. It
commended Vanuatu’s efforts to promote human rights, despite financial and geographical
difficulties, and highlighted the priority given to realization of the Millennium Development
Goals in the framework of national policy and strategies to improve particularly access to health
and education services. Morocco recommended (a) continuing in its implementation of these
goals, with the necessary support of the international community, to reduce infant mortality
rates, improve maternal health, and strengthen the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria and other
illnesses. It noted with satisfaction Vanuatu’s transparency on the issue of corruption and
commended the establishment of a mediation office to receive complaints and conduct
investigations asking how the Government would guarantee more independence to this
institution. Commending Vanuatu’s commitment to put in place a national human rights
institution, it recommended (b) backing up this approach by asking for the necessary technical
assistance and support from the international community.
41.
Germany was interested to hear more about existing policies to address the issue of the
lack of access to clean water and to health care asking about further measures planned. Germany
recommended (a) further enhancing the capacity, neutrality and independence of the judiciary;
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