A/HRC/10/78
Page 12
37.
Denmark welcomed the positive developments in the field of human rights, including the
new Constitution, the improved conditions of minorities and progress in the protection of civil
and political human rights. However, it noted that instances of torture continued, particularly
involving the Roma and disabled persons. Denmark recommended that Serbia take all measures
to prevent torture and, as an element of these efforts, recommended that Serbia speed up the
process of implementing the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and designate
an independent national preventive mechanism in consultation with civil society.
38.
Canada noted the concerns of the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights regarding discrimination against minorities, particularly
the Roma, and recommended that Serbia adopt a specific anti-discrimination framework
legislation to ensure that minorities such as the Roma are treated without discrimination in all
aspects of their lives, including access to health care and education. Canada also recommended
that racially motivated attacks committed against minorities be systematically investigated,
prosecuted and punished according to law. Taking note of the concerns expressed by the Special
Rapporteur on the freedom of expression and opinion in 2007, Canada also recommended that
Serbia take steps to ensure full respect for freedom of expression and the media and create a
climate in which journalists are able to report on sensitive issues without fear of harassment or
reprisal. Canada also recommended developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to
protect human rights defenders, including those working on behalf of the rights of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender persons, and ensure effective investigation of alleged attacks against
them. While welcoming the arrest of Radovan Karadzic in 2008, Canada recommended that
Serbia continued its efforts to track down and arrest the key remaining fugitives accused of war
crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, namely, the former
Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic and former Croatian Serb political leader Goran Hadzic.
39.
India noted the large number of laws and other regulations relevant to human rights and
the commitment of Serbia to international treaties, and asked Serbia about its initial experience
in the establishment of the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights. India also commended
Serbia for setting up human rights mechanisms, including the Ombudsman, and asked the
delegation how this institution was different from a national human rights institution. India noted
with appreciation the priorities indicated at the end of the national report.
40.
The Republic of Korea appreciated the fact that Serbia had a good track record of
cooperation with the treaty bodies and had issued a standing invitation to special procedures. It
noted that progress had been achieved in various domains, such as protecting internally displaced
persons, addressing gender gaps and combating trafficking in persons. Particularly appreciated
was the plan of action to extend the availability of education to Roma children. Meanwhile, it
noted that some concerns remained and recommended that Serbia work with the international
community to continue to improve the socio-economic situation of the Roma minority. It also
recalled the recommendation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2008, that Serbia
strengthen its efforts to establish a system ensuring the registration of all children born within its
territory, irrespective of the nationality and status of the parents.
Slovakia appreciated that Serbia was party to the core human rights instruments and had
41.
accepted the authority of the Human Rights Committee, the Committee against Torture, the
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women to consider complaints of individuals. Slovakia recommended
that Serbia strengthen the national mechanism for implementing the decisions of these bodies in
individual cases. Emphasizing that the number of domestic laws relevant to human rights
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