A/HRC/42/8/Add.1 1. The Royal Government of Bhutan attaches high importance to the universal periodic review in promoting and protecting human rights around the world. Bhutan is fully committed to the UPR mechanism. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan guarantees all the fundamental rights, liberties and freedoms to the people of Bhutan. 2. During the 33rd session of the UPR Working Group in May 2019, Bhutan received a total of 220 recommendations from the United Nations Member States. The Royal Government accepted 149 recommendations and deferred 71 recommendations for further review. The Royal Government undertook thorough review of the deferred recommendations through consultations with all the government agencies and relevant stakeholders. After careful consideration of national laws, national interests, resource availability and preparedness, the Royal Government has accepted eight (08) recommendations out of the 71 deferred recommendations. Accordingly, sixty-three (63) recommendations have been noted. The positions of the Royal Government on the noted recommendations are listed as below: SI No. Recommendation Position Responses I. 158.1–158.34 Noted It is the view of the Royal Government that, in order to give meaningful effect to any international obligations such as those arising from international treaties, we must first build the necessary legal, political and social institutions. The Royal Government is also constrained by the lack of adequate financial resources and technical capacity to meet various obligations of the treaties/conventions. Therefore, accession to the remaining human rights treaties will be considered upon thorough study and consultation among national stakeholders, based on national needs, priorities and capabilities. Of utmost importance is the level of national preparedness to assume new international obligations. In view of this, the Royal Government has put in place the Rules of Procedure on treaty making in 2016 as a basis for ratification and/or accession to international conventions. The Royal Government is committed to gradually accede to the remaining human rights instruments depending on resource availability and capacity building. We are happy to report that the national interest analysis on ratifying the CRPD has been submitted to the Government for consideration and we are hopeful that it will be considered in the next few years. Noted The Royal Government of Bhutan is committed to engaging with United Nations human rights mechanisms and will continue to host visits by special procedures mandate holders whenever possible. In that light, the Royal Government welcomed the visit by the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education from 24th May – 4th June 2014 and the visit by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention(WGAD) from 14th – 24th January 2019. However, extending invitation to all special procedures mandate holders of the Human Rights Council will be a challenge for the Royal Government on the account of its capacity, national priorities, resource constraints and the need for adequate preparation. Consequently, such visits will be considered on a case by case basis to ensure constructive engagement. Noted Bhutan takes note of the recommendations on prohibition of corporal punishment in all settings through enactment of law or legislative reform. Section 23 of the Child Care and Protection Act of Bhutan 2011 clearly states that ‘The use of Accession/ratification of core international human rights treaties/conventions. II. 158.35-158.36 Invitation al all special procedures mandate holders of the Human Rights Council. III. 2 158.37 “Review the Penal Code, the Child Care