A/HRC/8/25
Page 16
conditions. In the context of the treatment of migrants, Brazil expressed concern about racial
profiling and asked what concrete measures are taken by the United Kingdom in this regard. It
noted that the Committee on the Rights of the Child urged the United Kingdom to tackle
inequalities prevailing for children in custody, who do not have the statutory right to education, and
asked whether the United Kingdom could elaborate on this and on the legal age of children in
custody. Brazil requested the United Kingdom to provide information on the strategy followed to
address inequalities in the right to education of children from ethnic minorities.
55. The United Kingdom responded to questions. In response to Egypt’s reference to economic,
social and cultural rights, it noted that indicators reflect continuing disadvantage faced by some
minorities in terms of their standard of living, and that the Government is tackling this as a priority.
Regarding Argentina’s intervention, the United Kingdom’s position on sovereignty has not
changed, and is based on the principle of self-determination. It referred to the spirit of last year’s
twenty-fifth anniversary commemorations in the United Kingdom and the Falkland Islands
(Malvinas), which were respectful of the fallen on both sides. On implementation of the national
minimum wage and an adequate standard of living, it noted that the aim is to help low-paid jobs by
increasing the minimum wage, but ensuring that employment prospects are not damaged by setting
it too high. In this regard, it continues to be guided by the Low Pay Commission. Commencing the
age of criminal responsibility at 10 years helps children because at that age they can generally tell
the difference between bad behaviour and serious wrongdoing. In all cases, interventions are
designed to be rehabilitative, not punitive. Switzerland was thanked for its appreciation of the
United Kingdom’s human rights training package and the United Kingdom would be delighted to
share its resources with international partners. It noted that the introduction of the Human Rights
Act in 1998 had always been intended as only the first step in a longer process, the next step being a
bill of rights and responsibilities. A new set of pledges and commitments had been submitted as part
of its candidacy for re-election to the Human Rights Council in May. The United Kingdom
considered the test of success for UPR to be whether there are improvements in the delivery of
human rights on the ground, and to that end, it sees future rounds of the UPR as even more
important than this present one.
II. CONCLUSIONS AND/OR RECOMMENDATIONS
56. In the course of the discussion, the following recommendations were made to the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland:
1.
To set up a strategic oversight body, such as a commission on violence against
women, to ensure greater coherence and more effective protection for women.
(India)
2.
To address the high incarceration rate of children, ensure that the privacy of
children is protected and put an end to the so-called “painful techniques” applied
to children. (Algeria)
3.
To consider further measures in order to address the problem of violence against
children, including corporal punishment. (Italy)
4.
To reconsider its position about the continued legality of corporal punishment
against children. (Sweden)
5.
To consider going beyond current legislation and to ban corporal punishment, also
in the private sector and in its Overseas Territories. (France)
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