A/HRC/32/13
108. The delegation of Seychelles responded to the advance question on the achievements
of the National Commission for Child Protection with regard to the improvement of the
system of protection of children and adolescents, and the reform of the Education Act with
specific reference to corporal punishment. The National Commission for Child Protection
was set up under the Children Act in 2005 as an advisory body bringing together all
stakeholders to propose policies and advise the Government on all matters pertaining to
child protection. The delegation noted that, since its inception, the Commission had
coordinated actions to incorporate the Convention on the Rights of the Child into domestic
law and had validated the reports to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. The
Education Act was in the process of being reformed, and was going through the necessary
governmental approval processes.
109. On the question of what laws, campaigns or policies had been enacted since the
previous cycle to eliminate gender inequality in access to opportunities and remuneration
for men and women, and whether a gender perspective had been incorporated into other
national development plans, the delegation noted that the national employment policy of
2014 had been aimed at promoting gender equality and putting in place mechanisms to
ensure equal and fair treatment for both men and women. Mainstreaming gender into
national development plans was an ongoing activity and was supported by the National
Gender Management Team. The delegation mentioned that the national gender policy was
expected to be launched during the first quarter of the year.
110. Regarding the advance question on efforts made to improve the capacities of the
police and national security forces vis-à-vis human rights, the delegation responded that
modules on human rights as well as humanitarian law had been incorporated into the Police
Academy. Specific training on issues such as gender-based violence and trafficking in
persons had also been held for front-line law enforcement officials. The delegation added
that, in the light of the fight of Seychelles against piracy and the capture and prosecution of
Somali pirates, Seychelles defence forces had received capacity-building and training,
which had improved upon the skills of national security forces to treat captured pirates in a
manner that was fully respectful of human rights.
111. The delegation responded to the advance question on the implementation of its
previous recommendation issued in 2011 regarding access to safe drinking water and
sanitation, and the current status of those services. As of 2010, 93 per cent of households in
Seychelles had treated water, and 97 percent of the population had sanitation facilities. The
delegation added that the Public Utilities Corporation in Seychelles continued to strive
towards ensuring full access to safe drinking water and sanitation for all persons. With
regard to sanitation, refurbishment of existing sewer networks was ongoing, and there were
plans to expand the existing networks.
112. The delegation stated that the Government was considering the provisions of the
Kampala Amendments and their implications for implementation in order to determine the
position of Seychelles on ratification.
113. The delegation mentioned that Seychelles was currently developing specific
legislation to address domestic violence and that the Penal Code already criminalized any
sexual assault or rape.
114. On the protection of children’s rights, the delegation recalled what it had said
earlier: that a new police child protection team had been established to respond to cases of
child abuse and that the Director for Social Services could intervene in ongoing cases for
the protection of children.
115. The delegation noted that a national health policy had been approved in 2015 and
that a national health strategic plan had been developed. It also thanked Cuba for providing
technical assistance to the national health sector.
14
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