A/HRC/37/17
language rights, human rights education, the reintegration of ex-combatants and alleviation
of poverty.
89.
Afghanistan commended the acts on torture and on the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, and encouraged Sri Lanka to accelerate the process of providing
domestic legal guarantees in relation to the International Convention for the Protection of
All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities.
90.
Algeria welcomed the commitment to national reconciliation, the adoption of the
National Human Rights Action Plan and the ratification of a number of human rights
instruments.
91.
Argentina noted measures to provide accountability for the crimes committed during
the armed conflict. It welcomed the ratification of the International Convention for the
Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
92.
Canada acknowledged the strengthening of the Human Rights Commission of Sri
Lanka, the institutionalization of the Office on Missing Persons and cooperation with the
United Nations. It noted that much work remained on accountability, transitional justice
and reconciliation.
93.
Armenia noted positively the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities. It was concerned about laws discriminating against women, and
encouraged their review.
94.
Australia welcomed improvements in freedom of expression, and in the quota for
women in local government elections. It noted discriminatory laws against women and
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and attacks on religious minorities.
95.
Austria welcomed the recent ratification of human rights treaties. It was concerned
about reports of human rights violations under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
96.
Azerbaijan noted positively the National Human Rights Action Plan, with its focus
on the rights of women, internally displaced persons, refugees, migrants, persons with
disabilities and others.
97.
Bahrain praised the efforts made by Sri Lanka since 2015 to prioritize the widening
of democratic space, and truth and reconciliation, as well as the ratification of the
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
98.
Bangladesh commended the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities and the adoption of a number of laws on freedom of expression and
speech, and of the media. It praised the introduction of “think equal” as a subject in pilot
schools.
99.
Belarus noted positively the constitutional amendments and the strengthened
national human rights institutions. It welcomed efforts to develop policies on reconciliation
and the establishment of institutions to implement those policies.
100. Belgium welcomed the Office on Missing Persons. It was concerned about recent
developments in the fight against impunity and in enforcing freedom of religion and
women’s rights.
101. Bhutan congratulated Sri Lanka on the enactment of the Assistance to and Protection
of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, of 2015, and the National Human Rights Action
Plan, among others.
102. The Plurinational State of Bolivia welcomed the plan for the provinces aimed at
restoring roads, irrigation channels, schools and houses, and all the initiatives in favour of
small-scale farmers.
103. Brazil reaffirmed its support for the ongoing reconciliation process and encouraged
Sri Lanka to make additional efforts to promote truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of
non-recurrence.
9
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