A/HRC/19/6
children, economic situation, and discrimination against women. Canada made
recommendations.
32.
Mozambique noted that the 2005 Constitution laid down a legal framework for
Government efforts towards the enhancement of the enjoyment of human rights. It
commended Swaziland for establishing the Commission on Human Rights and Public
Administration. It praised the Government for the introduction of free primary education
and health care. It encouraged the Government to continue its efforts towards the adoption
of Child Welfare and Protection Bill. Mozambique made a recommendation.
33.
Hungary noted with satisfaction the adoption of the National Children’s Policy in
2009 and requested more information about concrete achievements thus far. It stated that
Swaziland retained the death penalty in its statute books. Also, freedom of assembly and
association was severely restricted. Hungary made recommendations.
34.
Ghana welcomed the initiatives undertaken by Swaziland to increase free education
and school enrolment, and to ensure the right to food, gender equality, and the provision of
social services for the most vulnerable groups. While noticing that the Constitution
addressed the principle of non-discrimination, Ghana noted the discriminatory practices
against women persisting in Swaziland. It also noted the continuing allegations of arrest
and detention following peaceful protest actions. Ghana made recommendations.
35.
Slovakia commended Swaziland for the establishment of the trafficking task force,
taking also a positive note of the adoption of the National Gender Policy and the National
Children’s Policy. It noted that there were allegations of police employing interrogation
methods contravening constitutional provisions. Slovakia expressed concern about reported
restrictions concerning the freedom of expression, such as under the Proscribed
Publications Act or the Suppression of Terrorism Act. Slovakia made recommendations.
36.
Switzerland expressed alarm at the many allegations of extrajudicial executions and
torture committed by the security forces and stated that victims should receive justice. It
noted that there were no political parties because of existing restrictions and that there were
also few private media organizations. It was impossible for women to open bank accounts
and to register property titles. Also, the independence of the human rights commission was
not guaranteed and access to this commission was restricted. Switzerland made
recommendations.
37.
Norway expressed concern at the systematic violations of freedom of assembly and
association in Swaziland, including through the suppression of political parties. Norway
expressed grave concern at the reports of forceful disruptions of peaceful marches, rallies
and protests, including through the use of violence and arbitrary detention. It was alarmed
at the extensive use of pretrial detention, ill-treatment and alleged torture in police custody.
Norway made recommendations.
38.
Turkey praised the efforts by Swaziland to ratify key international human rights
instruments. It welcomed the establishment of the National Children’s Coordination Unit,
while drawing the attention of all relevant parties to its financial difficulties. Turkey
commended the Government for establishing the Anti-Corruption Commission. It drew the
attention of the international community to the importance of the support given to
Swaziland in its efforts. Turkey made recommendations.
39.
Australia welcomed further progress on the implementation of the Optional Protocol
to CAT, the first Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women. It encouraged Swaziland to improve and strengthen its
democratization efforts and its health services. Australia urged Swaziland to take steps to
reduce the high rates of chronic malnutrition and mortality for children under five years of
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