A/HRC/19/5
38.
Australia acknowledged the participation of Antigua and Barbuda, a small island
State, in the universal periodic review process, which required considerable efforts, given
limited resources. Australia welcomed the establishment of the National Committee on
Social Indicators. It was concerned by reports of the use of excessive force by the police
and welcomed action taken to introduce training for the police on international conventions.
It noted reports on the declining situation of prison conditions and was concerned that the
island retained the death penalty. Australia made recommendations.
39.
Germany inquired about the steps undertaken to reduce overcrowding in the prisons
and guarantee an overall more humane prison regime. It referred to the vote against the
General Assembly resolution on the moratorium on the use of the death penalty. Germany
raised concern with the very low minimum age of criminal responsibility mentioning the
Committee on the Rights of the Child and UNICEF. Finally, it requested information on the
evaluation made by Antigua and Barbuda and the measures taken to countervail children’s
sexual exploitation. Germany made recommendations.
40.
Slovenia praised the Government for the improvement of the human rights situation
and asked three questions. It inquired about the guarantee to enshrine the rights mentioned
in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other major instruments since the island
had a dualist legal system. It also requested information about the strategy undertaken by
the Government to cope with child labour and violence against children. It asked about the
intentions of the Government to overcome under-resourced education. Slovenia made
recommendations.
41.
Brazil was pleased to learn that substantive progress had been made to the
achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. It welcomed initiatives undertaken to
guarantee the permanence of children in school but noted that additional efforts were
required to integrate children with disabilities into the regular education system. It
commended Antigua and Barbuda for the establishment of an AIDS secretariat and for
providing free antiretroviral drugs. It noted the lack of measures to increase women’s
participation in political and public life, despite legal steps to prohibit gender
discrimination. Brazil made recommendations.
42.
The United States of America commended the passage of the Trafficking in Persons
(Prevention) Act of 2010. It remained concerned, however, about the continued
criminalization of homosexual conduct and the pervasive societal discrimination against
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. It stressed that the criminalization
of homosexual conduct exacerbated homophobic attitudes and prevented LGBT persons
from fully participating in society. It made recommendations.
43.
Spain recognized the efforts of Antigua and Barbuda in harmonizing its domestic
legislation with its international commitments, as was the case of the ad hoc procedure for
asylum requests. Spain made recommendations.
44.
Indonesia commended the efforts of the Government to fulfil many aspects of the
human rights of its citizens, including the rights of persons with disabilities and freedom of
assembly and association, as well as through poverty alleviation. It also noted the positive
efforts of the Government to ensure compliance of national legislation with that of the
international human rights instruments it had ratified. Indonesia made recommendations.
45.
Maldives praised the commitment of Antigua and Barbuda to the protection and
promotion of human rights. It inquired whether the Government would consider
establishing a UPR standing committee chaired by the Prime Minister’s office that would
facilitate better coordination and cooperation between the State functionaries in the follow
up to the universal periodic review. It also inquired about the adverse effects posed by
climate change on the enjoyment of human rights. In addition, Maldives mentioned
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