A/HRC/WG.6/5/L.1
page 11
national and international law obligations, and follow-up on urgent appeals of the Special
Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders. Norway
recommended that all reported human rights violations be investigated and that those responsible
for such violations, including police officials and personnel within the security forces, be
prosecuted and punished; that State authorities give human rights defenders legitimacy and
recognition through supportive statements, and that defenders be protected in accordance with the
Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to
Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. It
welcomed reforms promoting press freedom, recommending that necessary steps be taken to ensure
that journalists are able to operate without intimidation or interference.
37.
Austria cited reports of the recent killings of civilians in Sokumba by members of the
Presidential Guard, also responsible for human rights violations between 2005 and 2007.
Commending its replacement with other forces in the north, it noted that some members presumed
responsible had not been brought to justice yet. It recommended (a) immediate investigation of all
cases of grave human rights violations and ending impunity of perpetrators; and (b) implementing
the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, enacting a national law on internal displacement
with provisions for protecting displaced children, effectively addressing the basic needs of persons
affected by internal displacement, and taking every measure to ensure the protection of civilians.
Deeply concerned about the forced recruitment of children and citing reports of frequent and
systematic child abductions, Austria recommended (c) taking concrete measures to abolish
self-defence militias, maintain order through regular security forces and facilitate the end of forced
child recruitment by all armed groups; and (d) ratifying CRC-OP-AC.
38.
Canada appreciated the cooperation of the State with the Peacebuilding Commission. It
recommended that, in the context of reforming the security sector, the Government review training
materials used by security forces in order to include child protection as a preventive measure
against recruiting children into the armed forces. Acknowledging efforts to fight impunity, it
recommended the adoption within domestic legislation of a law based on the Statute of the
International Criminal Court, criminalizing war crimes, the crime of genocide and crimes against
humanity in the Criminal and Military Justice Codes. Alarmed at the situation of refugees and
displaced persons, it recommended taking measures as necessary to ensure free circulation of
humanitarian workers so that they may access these vulnerable populations. Canada recommended
taking necessary measures to implement CEDAW, with emphasis on issues of violence and abuse
based on gender.
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents