A/HRC/10/69
Page 15
ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers
and Members of Their Families. It also asked if human trafficking was a concern and what
measures were in place to curb it.
78.
Bangladesh stated that given various constraints as a developing country, Botswana has
to prioritize its undertakings based on genuine societal need and the Government’s needs to
remain steadfast in pursuing pro-people policies, but should not be intimidated by suggestions on
issues that do not enjoy universal acceptance as social norms. Bangladesh recommended that,
with the support of the international community, Botswana continue to fight HIV/AIDS;
continue to fight poverty, ensuring that benefits are accrued for all citizens in all regions of the
country; and continue to achieve universal basic education and reduce the drop-out rate in
primary schools.
79.
Egypt expressed interest in the Office of the Ombudsman and saluted Botswana’s
achievements in women’s rights. It recommended that the Government continue its efforts to
strengthen its national human rights architecture, including through further development, with
international support, of the human rights training and capacity-building exercise for judiciary
and law enforcement personnel, and mainstream human rights in the education system, at all
levels. It also recommended that efforts be continued to combat poverty and to meet the
Millennium Development Goals and Vision 2016. It recommended that OHCHR and the
international community assist the Government in the areas that it has identified, particularly in
building national capacities for treaty body reporting, human rights education, improving the
justice system and strengthening the monitoring of progress in achieving the Millennium
Development Goals and the goals of Vision 2016. It recalled the basis of review as contained in
Council resolution 5/1, urging all parties to scrupulously abide by what was agreed to in that
resolution.
80.
Nigeria noted the importance of the programmes on women empowerment, gender
mainstreaming and child protection. It noted Botswana’s combination of policies in promoting
civil and political rights with economic, social and cultural rights as steps towards achieving the
Millennium Development Goals. Nigeria commended Botswana for its regional peace efforts
and encouraged it to continue its democratization process.
81.
Denmark noted the High Court ruling concerning the traditional land of the Central
Kalahari Game Reserve. While appreciating the dialogue between the Government and the
Basarwa, Denmark noted that it is not sufficient and enquired about concrete steps to implement
the High Court ruling. Denmark recommended that the Government of Botswana provide access
and support for residents of the Reserve based on the right to their land, as specified in the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Denmark also recommended
that the Government work with the land boards of the various districts to ensure equity in land
allocation among all applicants for residential, arable and grazing land, water sources and
business sites. It recommended that discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, language and
culture, including de jure discrimination, be abolished. Denmark recommended that the
Government of Botswana pursue a policy of mother-tongue language education in conjunction
with national languages of Setswana and English. It recommended that Botswana step up efforts
to prevent torture and ill treatment and that it ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention
against Torture with utmost importance.
82.
Cameroon requested additional information on the importance of customary courts, and
whether they weaken the application of normative rights and challenge the integration of
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