A/HRC/41/11
B.
Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review
21.
During the interactive dialogue, 57 delegations made statements. Recommendations
made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.
22.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela appreciated efforts to adopt a new legal
framework in the fight against discrimination. It took note of initiatives to address the
overcrowding of prisons and appreciated the adoption of the first Law on the Prevention of
and Protection against Domestic Violence.
23.
Albania commended efforts to implement the recommendations made during the
second review cycle. It noted with appreciation the implementation of the Ohrid
Framework Agreement. It praised the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and welcomed
plans for its implementation. Albania welcomed steps taken by the authorities regarding the
Law on the Use of Languages and looked forward to its implementation.
24.
Algeria praised efforts to implement a number of initiatives, including the National
Strategy on Equality and Non-Discrimination 2016–2020 and the National Action Plan for
the Implementation of the Law on the Prevention of and Protection against Discrimination
2015–2020.
25.
Argentina commended the Government for its initiatives aimed at fighting
discrimination against women, in particular the National Action Plan for Gender Equality
2018–2020 and the National Action Plan for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and
Illegal Migration 2017–2020.
26.
Armenia commended the adoption of the Strategy for Reform of the Justice System
2017–2022, as well as a number of other strategies and national plans adopted or already
being implemented. It welcomed the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and the national
action plan for its implementation. It also welcomed the National Action Plan for Gender
Equality 2018–2020 and measures to attain gender equality through functional support
mechanisms at the national and local levels.
27.
Australia noted comparatively lower indicators for health performance, education
outcomes and employment for Roma people and remained concerned by poor prison
conditions, allegations of mistreatment of prisoners by prison officers and deaths of
prisoners in custody. It noted that people with physical, intellectual and combined
disabilities faced barriers to access to health, education and employment services.
28.
While acknowledging a decrease in the pressure on journalists, Austria called for
efforts to address all abuses and threats against journalists and improvements in legal,
financial and policy frameworks with regard to civil society organizations. Austria noted
that, despite support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex rights, the new law
on the prevention of and protection against discrimination had yet to be adopted. It also
raised concerns with regard to the rights of persons belonging to the Roma population,
especially with regard to their housing, access to justice, health care and segregation in
primary education.
29.
Belarus welcomed the adoption of national strategies, including to protect Roma
women, combat poverty, develop education and ensure equality and non-discrimination. It
remained concerned about inequalities in access to education for all children, the
unsatisfactory conditions and overcrowding in detention centres and barriers to the exercise
of electoral rights.
30.
Belgium commended the Government for its progress since its previous review,
particularly the adoption of the Law on the Prevention of and Protection against Domestic
Violence. It remained concerned, however, about challenges in the areas of freedom of the
press and the fight against discrimination against women, the Roma community and lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons.
31.
Benin welcomed the implementation of reforms to improve the normative and
institutional framework protecting and promoting human rights, including the Plan 3-6-9
reform programme and the Strategy for Reform of the Justice System 2017–2022.
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