A/HRC/41/11
32.
Bhutan noted that the Strategy for Reform of the Justice System had led to the
adoption of important laws for strengthening the judiciary. It praised the ratification of the
Istanbul Convention.
33.
Bulgaria noted the efforts of the Government to further harmonize the national
legislative and institutional framework with international human rights instruments and to
closely cooperate with the treaty bodies established under the United Nations and the
Council of Europe conventions on human rights and fundamental freedoms. It encouraged
North Macedonia to remain focused on reform of the judicial system, the creation of a safer
environment for journalists and human rights defenders, the protection of children’s rights
and the fight against human trafficking.
34.
Canada welcomed positive steps taken, including the ratification of the Istanbul
Convention and the drafting of a new law on the prevention of and protection against
discrimination. It remained concerned about reports that refugees and migrants had been
deported to neighbouring countries illegally, without following official procedures.
35.
Chile noted the efforts made by the Government to make progress in the promotion
and protection of all human rights, including a large number of institutional reforms and
national plans in fulfilment of the recommendations accepted during the second review
cycle.
36.
China took note of the measures taken by the Government to protect minority
groups, particularly to protect the rights of the Roma community. It supported the
implementation of the Strategy for the Roma 2014–2020 and the relevant national action
plans.
37.
Croatia welcomed the efforts to adopt anti-discrimination legislation and to combat
gender-based violence. It encouraged the Government to further strengthen the efficiency
of the judicial system in order to ensure its independence, and to continue taking all
necessary measures to combat corruption and organized crime.
38.
Czechia welcomed the efforts of the Government to make progress in areas such as
the rule of law and justice system reform, measures taken to improve the treatment of
prisoners and detainees and the expansion of the list of discriminatory grounds in the draft
law on the prevention of and protection against discrimination.
39.
Denmark highlighted that indigenous peoples were among the most marginalized
populations around the world, often facing discrimination and exploitative labour
conditions violating their human rights. It highlighted International Labour Organization
(ILO) Indigenous and Tribal Populations Convention, 1957 (No. 169), as an important tool
for securing and strengthening norms concerning the rights of indigenous people.
40.
Estonia welcomed the ratification of the Amendments to the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court on the crime of aggression, as recommended in the previous
cycle of the universal periodic review. It encouraged the Government to take further steps
to accelerate progress in improving the climate for civil society organizations, human rights
defenders and the media.
41.
Responding to questions, the delegation of North Macedonia said that the issue of
the Roma was high on the government agenda. There was a minister without portfolio from
the Roma community dealing with the issue of the Roma. The Ministry of Labour and
Social Policy was responsible for interministerial coordination to implement the Strategy
for the Roma and a government coordination body was in charge of implementing the
different national action plans under the Strategy. In addition to the minister without
portfolio, two members of parliament, three heads of department in the Ministry of Labour
and Social Policy and several officers in the Ministry working on the implementation of the
Strategy for the Roma were from the Roma community. The position of the new
Government was to concentrate all the projects for the Roma community under the Ministry
of Labour and Social Policy.
42.
As a result of a project for the inclusion of Roma children in preschool education
free of charge, up to 500 Roma children were currently attending preschool. The Ministry
of Labour and Social Policy requested the local authorities to cover the costs from the funds
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