A/HRC/17/3
better quality of life for Nauruans. Malaysia noted that Nauru had planned to reopen the
detention centre for asylum-seekers who had attempted to enter Australia by boat without a
visa; it asked what benefits the centre would bring to Nauru and its population. Malaysia
made recommendations.
49.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland acknowledged the
capacity and resource challenges facing Nauru in its efforts to address its human rights
obligations, especially in light of the increasing impact of climate change. It asked about
the intentions of Nauru with regard to the continuation of the dialogue with civil society in
the follow-up to the universal periodic review. The United Kingdom welcomed the work
undertaken in tackling domestic violence, in particular the establishment of the Domestic
Violence Unit and the safe house for women. However, the United Kingdom noted that it
would also welcome specific laws in this area, as a signal that violence and discrimination
against women would not be condoned. It commended Nauru for undertaking a review of
its Criminal Code and expressed interest in learning more about future efforts by the
Government to provide an operational and accessible justice system. The United Kingdom
made recommendations.
50.
Germany welcomed the establishment of a work programme, undertaken in 2010 in
cooperation with Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),
to complete a situation analysis, provide policy and legal advice, assist drafting legislation,
regulations and standard operation procedures, and conduct joint awareness-raising
workshops and specialized training of officials. Germany requested to receive more
detailed information about the outcome, regarding in particular legislative projects and
workshops relating to awareness-raising. Germany made recommendations.
51.
Slovakia commended Nauru’s participation in various Pacific regional mechanisms.
It also noted positively the criminalization by Nauru of torture and inhuman or degrading
treatment, despite not being a party to the Convention against Torture. Slovakia was
concerned about reports on widespread domestic violence and commended Nauru for the
establishment of a safe house for victims of domestic violence and the creation of a
Domestic Violence Unit in the police force. Slovakia expressed concern about the extent of
child abuse. While commending the provision of free compulsory education up to the age
of 16 and the recent renovation of the school infrastructure, it was concerned about the
level of truancy. Slovakia made recommendations.
52.
Ghana noted the enactment in 2009 of the Correctional Service Act, which
prescribed a more human approach to imprisonment and provided for the protection of
prisoners’ human rights as well as rehabilitation and training. Ghana lauded the ongoing
review of the Criminal Code with the aim of introducing a modernised code in accordance
with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Ghana also noted the limitations
mentioned in the national report, in particular problems with access to justice, limited
capacity of the legal profession, extreme vulnerability to the impacts of the climate change
and heavy reliance on foreign aid. Ghana made recommendations.
53.
The United States of America commended Nauru for lifting the state of emergency
in place for much of 2010 and welcomed the renewed dialogue between the President and
members of Parliament. It remained concerned over the lack of effective mechanisms for
addressing and curtailing domestic violence, but it commended Nauru for highlighting this
need in its national report and making the elimination of domestic violence a national
priority. The United States asked whether Nauru planned to expeditiously ratify the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and strongly encouraged the
Government to make freedom of association and expression hallmarks of Nauruan
democracy. The United States made recommendations.
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