A/HRC/27/9
might be considered as physical manifestations or association, and nobody had been
arrested or prosecuted for such acts. Nevertheless, the Government was not prepared to
introduce any legislation to Parliament decriminalizing sexual relations between adults of
the same sex.
23.
In 2012, the Government of Dominica had supported the United Nations General
Assembly resolution on extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions (resolution 67/168),
in solidarity with those who continued to be punished without due process of law.
Therefore, there was no need for the Government to take any follow-up measures pursuant
to that resolution.
24.
Since the establishment of the national HIV/AIDS Prevention Unit in the Ministry of
Health in 2003, a number of programmes bad been introduced with a view to creating
greater awareness, care, understanding and tolerance for persons affected by AIDS.
Counselling, medication and other treatment were provided to all people living with AIDS,
irrespective of their sexual orientation. The challenge of removing the stigma and the taboo
associated with HIV/AIDS had been extremely difficult, but efforts to educate the public
continued.
25.
The Government of Dominica remained committed to protecting the fundamental
rights and freedoms guaranteed to all irrespective of race, place of origin, political opinions,
colour, creed or sex. It also aspired to provide education, health care, housing, employment
and access to water and sanitation. Over the past decade, Dominica had made significant
strides towards achieving those goals, although much remained to be done.
26.
As a small island developing State, Dominica continued to struggle to ensure that its
people were provided with a decent quality of life. However, its limited human and
financial resources made it difficult for Dominica to meet its international human rights
commitments. The ratification of treaties brought with it the burden of drafting reports,
developing implementation plans and allocating resources to give domestic effect to those
treaties. Therefore, the head of delegation called on OHCHR to provide support and to
develop an assistance programme that would provide Dominica with technical support and
training so that it could meet its current and future obligations.
B.
Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review
27.
During the interactive dialogue, 48 delegations made statements. Recommendations
made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.
28.
Malaysia welcomed the update on progress made by Dominica in the
implementation of recommendations arising from the first review and its efforts to combat
violence against women and children, despite the challenges it had faced in preparing its
report. It recognized that financial constraints represented an obstacle to the advancement
of human rights in Dominica. It encouraged the country to continue implementing
programmes on HIV/AIDS and to continue its efforts to improve human rights.
29.
Maldives commended the progress made by Dominica in promoting human rights
since the previous review, including by extending a standing invitation to all special
procedures of the Human Rights Council, ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities and announcing the establishment of a National Disability Council.
Moreover, it acknowledged the attention paid by Dominica to the rights of the child. In its
view, small States such as Dominica required financial and technical assistance in order to
strengthen their national human rights mechanisms.
30.
Mexico recognized the efforts made by Dominica to take part in the review, which
demonstrated its commitment. Mexico valued the de facto moratorium on the death penalty
6
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