A/HRC/8/31
Page 10
the Netherlands to provide information about any steps taken by the Government to stem the
recurrence of such acts of xenophobia and Islamophobia, and recommended that the Government
complete its investigation about civil and criminal implications concerning the release of the film
and initiate prosecution of the author in accordance with the law of the Netherlands.
43. Malaysia stated that the rights of individuals must be enjoyed in harmony with the rights
of others in the community and recommended that the Government consider formulating measures
that would recognize that a truly meaningful enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression is only
realized when exercised with responsibility. Malaysia asked for some examples of the 102
proposals listed in the new human rights strategy.
44. Slovenia asked, also to be reflected as a recommendation, about what has been done to adopt
a gender perspective during consultations and in the national report, including in the outcome of
and follow-up to the review. While welcoming the appointment of a Minister for Youth and Family
in 2007, it expressed concern about the lack of sufficient mental health services for adolescents, the
prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, and
requested more information on programmes and measures to prevent or reduce drug and alcohol
abuse.
45. Guatemala shared the sentiment expressed in paragraph 93 of the national report.
Nevertheless, it stressed that xenophobia and racism are a threat and that, while commendable, it is
not enough to adopt progressive laws; actions for their implementation are needed. It encouraged
the Government to continue its initiatives to combat xenophobia and discrimination, especially
regarding asylum-seekers and migrants. In that connection, it stated that the developed countries
should ratify ICRMW.
46. China noted that the spread of the Internet has facilitated a free flow of information and
regretted implications on the dissemination of pornography, the planning of terrorist activities and
the incitement of racial and religious hatred. It noted measures adopted, such as the establishment
of a national cybercrime centre and the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on
Cybercrime. China wanted to know to what extent these measures have been effective and whether
the Government was ready to adopt further measures.
47. Belarus said that the situation regarding torture in the Netherlands is not ideal; the
Netherlands has not ratified the Optional Protocol to CAT although it had expressed its intention to
do so in its voluntary pledges in 2006. In 2007, the Committee against Torture expressed a whole
set of serious concerns and made recommendations in respect of the situation of torture in Aruba
and the Netherlands Antilles. Quoting extracts from the summary report on 13 NGOs, “These
organisations are increasingly concerned at continued illusions to the role of the Netherlands in
human rights protection worldwide are not put into practice at the national level anymore”, Belarus
hoped that the present statement will be taken constructively by the Netherlands. Belarus
recommended that the Netherlands take part in international activities to promote and protect
human rights on the basis of an equitable and mutually respectful dialogue.
48. Indonesia sought clarification about governmental strategies to alleviate the continued
discrimination in the field of education and employment faced by ethnic groups. It also wanted to
know whether the Government has investigated and carried out any preventive or awareness-raising
measures following reports on the stigmatization of and discrimination against certain members of
minority groups, and whether it had considered new policies to address increased incidents of
Islamophobia. Indonesia enquired about strategies to improve asylum procedures and to avoid
discrimination of undocumented migrants. It also asked how the Government further assures that
international human rights norms fall in line with national legislation in order that it may be
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