A/HRC/11/28
Page 7
(ICCPR), including by preserving the ability of the media to investigate and report on public
officials without fear of penalty.
32.
Turkey noted that several treaty bodies had expressed concern about the high number of
children involved in commercial sexual exploitation, and that the Committee on the Elimination
of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) had observed a lack of information on the extent of
trafficking in women and girls. Turkey asked about the measures envisaged in the Combating of
Trafficking in Persons Bill, particularly to assess the scale of this problem and to support its
victims. It recommended to Mauritius to: (a) effectively monitor the implementation of this
legislation upon its adoption and (b) strengthen existing policies and programmes aimed at
eradicating child prostitution. Turkey asked how the Government intends to address the backlog
of cases before some courts and delays in pre-trial custody. It inquired whether the Government
is contemplating setting a minimum age of criminal responsibility and offering counselling
services to families having difficulties in raising children as an alternative to placing them in
institutions, through the comprehensive Bill on the rights of the child.
33.
France welcomed the signing and ratification of the core United Nations human rights
instruments as well as some very constructive initiatives, inter alia, in the areas of children’s
rights, education, health and combating of torture. France asked why Mauritius is not party to the
1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and if it intends to accede to this convention
in the near future. France recommended to Mauritius to: (a) ratify in 2009, as it had committed
itself, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPD); (b) continue its efforts to
protect children’s rights, in particular in its attempt to completely eradicate child labour; (c)
extend a standing invitation to the United Nations Special Rapporteurs to visit the country; (d)
sign and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced
Disappearance (CED).
34.
Chad commended Mauritius for honouring its international obligations, notably by
ensuring that its legislation is in compliance with the international human rights norms and by
submitting its periodic reports to treaty bodies. Chad called on the international community to
support Mauritius by providing all assistance needed to improve its programmes for the
protection and promotion of human rights.
35.
Indonesia congratulated the Government on its ongoing efforts, taking into account the
concerns of different communities, in particular with regards to poverty eradication and ensuring
free and compulsory education. It asked about the measures that will be undertaken to address
CEDAW questions regarding women in cases of domestic violence and recommended to
Mauritius: a) to continue to fine-tune its development agenda and by doing so, to continue to
effectively promote and protect human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights.
Indonesia urged to enact a Children’s Act as well as consolidating national legislation which is
fully in line with the international obligations it has undertaken.
36.
Philippines considered the National Gender Policy Framework as a best practice and
congratulated Mauritius on the enactment of the Protection from Domestic Violence Act. It asked
for more information about the activities of the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children, and the
Government’s assessment of its work. It recommended to Mauritius to: (a) to continue to
enhance efforts to protect the human rights of migrants; (b) take into account the human rights
dimensions of human trafficking, and in particular the need to protect and provide assistance to
victims, in the drafting of legislation to combat human trafficking.
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