A/HRC/27/12
providing that everyone had the right to enjoy respect for their image and sexual identity
when a photograph was taken for their identity card. Costa Rica acknowledged that
changing cultural attitudes was a challenge. A protocol on harassment, bullying and
cyberbullying in secondary schools had also been prepared.
88.
Costa Rica indicated that a subsystem of indigenous education had been established
by the Ministry of Public Education. With the support of the World Bank, Costa Rica had
invested in infrastructure in indigenous territories and had prepared an educational
programme.
89.
Administrative actions had been taken to address prison overcrowding. Some
detainees had been allowed to complete their sentences using non-custodial measures and
efforts had been made to improve conditions in some prisons. The State recognized that
there were still significant improvements to be made.
90.
In order to address trafficking in persons, the Act on Trafficking and Related
Activities had been promulgated, establishing the National Coalition against Illicit
Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons. The Act provided for increased
punishments for the abduction of minors, and criminalized sexual tourism and labour
exploitation. The penalty for labour exploitation was more severe if the victim was under
the age of 18. The Act also established procedures for the care of minors and the right of
victims to bring civil actions for reparation. The National Coalition was made up of 21
institutions. The Act provided for the establishment of a specific fund which was financed
by taxes to be paid by all tourists and nationals when leaving the country. Information
campaigns were being carried out in the area of prevention.
91.
Responding to several questions on the international jurisdiction of crimes
categorized in Costa Rican legislation, the delegation said that such crimes included the
possession and production of pornographic material depicting minors, and human
trafficking and smuggling. The Penal Code, in article 6, established the possibility of
applying Costa Rican law to punishable acts committed abroad in various cases, including
when the consequences of a punishable act were felt fully or partially in Costa Rica, or
when the perpetrator of a punishable act committed abroad was a Costa Rican national.
92.
Montenegro welcomed progress regarding efforts to address violence against women
and the implementation of a High Level Commission to monitor compliance with the
Violence against Women Act. It welcomed steps to combat human trafficking.
93.
Morocco commended Costa Rica for its openness. It took note of challenges faced in
relation to structural inequalities, criminality, violence, poverty and the unequal distribution
of wealth.
94.
The Netherlands welcomed progress made in the field of protecting women against
domestic violence by adopting a national response and prevention system. It was concerned
about the suffering of the LGBT community as a result of discrimination.
95.
Nicaragua commended Costa Rica for progress made in upholding human rights, in
particular by addressing discrimination and xenophobia, as well as with regard to the
adoption of the comprehensive migration policy.
96.
The Niger noted that Costa Rica had ratified several international instruments and
adopted various pieces of legislation to improve the human rights situation. It welcomed the
institutional framework to improve the judiciary.
97.
Norway welcomed the 2010 Immigration Act and the establishment of CIIDDHH. It
echoed the recommendation of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women to consider reviewing abortion legislation in order to guarantee access to abortion
when pregnancy was the result of rape.
11
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