A/HRC/10/78
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possible. While noting the significant improvement in the State’s cooperation with the
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the representative made reference to
concerns raised in this regard and recommended that the Government make every effort to fulfil
its obligations to the Tribunal and other related bodies. The United Kingdom also recommended
that the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance be given greater access to
information so that he may fully determine to whether such information should be withheld from
access to the public. Finally, it stated that Kosovo was independent and therefore should not be
included in the present review.
21.
Greece was interested in receiving more detailed information on measures to ensure
registration of and documentation for the Roma. It recommended that the Government take
measures to enhance the function of the Ombudsman and to include, inter alia, effective
monitoring and promotion of child rights in its mandates. Greece commended Serbia for its
efforts to deal with the issue of refugees and internally displaced persons, and welcomed the
adoption of the asylum law in 2006. Greece recommended that Serbia take all necessary
measures to ensure the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of refugees and displaced
persons.
22.
The Netherlands commended Serbia for its vibrant democracy and the protection of
minorities provided for in its 2006 Constitution. Referring to paragraph 27 of the summary of
other stakeholders’ contributions, it wished to know how Serbia guarantees the safety of human
rights defenders and an independent press, and recommended that the Government adopt a
national plan for the protection of human rights defenders and independent journalists. It asked
for special attention for human rights defenders in the area of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender rights and recommended that the protection of such activists be included in the
national plan and that Serbia apply the Yogyakarta Principles as a guide for new policies on
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.
23.
Cuba congratulated Serbia on the efforts made and results achieved in human rights. It
emphasized that the national report clearly identified the main challenges and priorities in the
field of human rights. Cuba commended the State for the special measures adopted in 2002 and
the legislation approved in 2007 aimed at improving women’s access to political posts, the
national measures taken to meet the Millennium Development Goals, including the Poverty
Reduction Strategy, and the national employment strategy. The national action plan for children,
adopted in 2004, was based on the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and
which defined Serbia general policy with respect to children and young people for the period
until 2015. Cuba appreciated the State’s endeavours to combat discrimination against national
minorities and to promote tolerance and intercultural dialogue between different ethnic,
linguistic and religious groups. Cuba asked whether there was a specific programme to train
police officers on the human rights of vulnerable groups, including minorities, and whether
national minorities were allowed to join the police force. Cuba recommended that Serbia
continue to promote equality and non-discrimination among the national minorities living in the
country, its positive efforts to promote and protect children rights and to attain the full
empowerment of women.
24.
Poland appreciated the adoption of the national action plan for children, but stated that, as
indicated by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2008, a comprehensive national
strategy to prevent trafficking and sexual exploitation of children and reintegration and
rehabilitation programmes and services exclusively for child victims are lacking. Therefore,
Poland recommended that Serbia implement a comprehensive national strategy to prevent
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