A/HRC/21/67 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 18 September 2012 Original: English Human Rights Council Twenty-first session Agenda item 6 Universal periodic review Statement made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the adoption of the report on the universal periodic review of Brazil The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) welcomes the adoption of the report on the universal periodic review of Brazil, and congratulates the Government of Brazil on having accepted all relevant recommendations. As a country that is fully committed to the protection of refugees, Brazil and its people are to be commended for their solidarity towards persons of concern and their support for UNHCR. This year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption by Brazil of the Refugee Act, which has been referred to as a model for asylum legislation in the region. As a State party to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951 and the Protocol thereto of 1967, and sponsor of the Brasilia Declaration on the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons in the Americas of 2010, Brazil continues to demonstrate its commitment and remains a pioneer in refugee protection. As an example, a generous interpretation of Brazilian refugee legislation has allowed the national commission for refugees, CONARE, to recognize as refugees persons fleeing persecution because of their sexual orientation and gender identity, thus reinforcing the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons who are victims of forced displacement. UNHCR continues to welcome the efforts made by Brazil to provide a durable solution to refugees and others of concern to UNHCR. The solidarity resettlement programme has granted protection to and found solutions for many refugees over past years and includes a fast-track modality, which enables the emergency resettlement of refugees with urgent protection needs. The local integration of refugees is also a priority for the Government, as demonstrated by the granting of permanent residency to refugees from Angola and Liberia and the establishment of State committees in charge of the coordination of policies and interventions for the local integration of refugees. UNHCR also applauds the Government of Brazil for its commitment to the protection of stateless persons. Brazil is a party to both the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons of 1954 and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness of 1961. With regard to the latter Convention, it is worth mentioning constitutional amendment 54/07, which allows for acquisition of nationality by children born abroad through a simple consular registration and represents an important example of the prevention of GE.12-16778