A/HRC/36/9
reviewed all the recommendations from 2012 and had updated the State’s position to bring
its categorization into line with the Human Rights Council’s accepted classification of
either “supported” or “noted”.
10.
Responding to advance questions, the delegation indicated that proposals to make
abortion available to women carrying a fetus with a fatal abnormality had been presented to
the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2016 but the measure had been defeated; it was
anticipated that work on reform of the law would continue after the election and the
formation of a new Northern Ireland Executive. Any legislative reform would, however, be
subject to the will of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Regarding the establishment of a
historical investigations unit, it indicated that the Government would continue to work with
Northern Ireland parties, victims’ groups and other stakeholders to seek a resolution that
would allow the Stormont House Agreement bodies to be established.
11.
On corporal punishment, the Government had stated that it did not condone any
violence towards children and had clear laws to deal with it, and that the “reasonable
chastisement” defence could not be used when someone was charged with assault causing
actual or grievous bodily harm, or with child cruelty.
12.
Regarding children in the armed forces, the Government saw the recruitment of
individuals between the ages of 16 and 18 as offering a range of benefits to the individual,
and stressed that personnel under the age of 18 were not deployed on any operation outside
the United Kingdom except where the operation did not involve personnel becoming
engaged in, or exposed to, hostilities.
13.
The delegation stated that its counter-terrorism legislation and measures complied
with international human rights obligations and were closely scrutinized by the United
Kingdom Parliament.
14.
Regarding hate crime, the State had a strong legislative framework to tackle it,
including criminal offences and the Hate Crime Action Plan 2016.
B.
Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review
15.
During the interactive dialogue, 94 delegations made statements. Recommendations
made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.
16.
Georgia acknowledged progress achieved in various areas related to children`s
rights, including the adoption of a number of laws and the strengthening of policy
measures.
17.
Germany particularly welcomed the lively public discourse on ongoing challenges,
and the active participation of civil society in the universal periodic review process.
18.
Ghana encouraged the Government to ratify the International Convention for the
Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the International Convention
on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
19.
Greece welcomed in particular the noteworthy efforts to tackle human trafficking
and modern-day slavery.
20.
Guatemala was concerned about the reports that Gypsies, Travellers and the Roma
continued to be discriminated against to a large extent and had access to fewer
opportunities.
21.
Haiti wished the Government and its people a satisfactory outcome during the Brexit
negotiations.
22.
Sierra Leone commended the efforts to tackle domestic violence effectively through
the Modern Slavery Act and the Child Trafficking Protection Fund and expressed its thanks
for the assistance provided during the Ebola crisis.
23.
Hungary welcomed the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the Hate Crime Action Plan
2016.
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