A/HRC/33/13
B.
Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review
8.
During the interactive dialogue, 44 delegations made statements. Recommendations
made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.
9.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela emphasized the efforts made by Antigua and
Barbuda in promoting and protecting human rights. In the field of education, the Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela noted positively the compulsory school attendance for children
between 5 and 16 years of age and the free primary and secondary education. It appreciated
the creation of the national committee for health promotion, as well as the progress
achieved by the gender affairs department in regard to combating domestic violence and
human trafficking through the establishment of awareness-raising and victim support
programmes. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela made recommendations.
10.
Algeria applauded the measures taken by Antigua and Barbuda in support of human
rights, including the amendments made to the laws on human trafficking and on preventing
the trafficking of migrants. It also welcomed the November 2015 adoption by both
chambers of the Parliament of a number of laws on children and the family. Algeria made
recommendations.
11.
Argentina welcomed the delegation of Antigua and Barbuda and thanked it for its
presentation of the national report. Argentina congratulated Antigua and Barbuda on its
ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Argentina made
recommendations.
12.
Australia welcomed the engagement of Antigua and Barbuda in the universal
periodic review process, particularly given its status as a small island developing State. It
commended Antigua and Barbuda for its ratification in 2016 of the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It noted that no executions had taken place in Antigua
and Barbuda since 1991, which, in practice, had established a moratorium on the death
penalty. Australia remained concerned that violence and discrimination against lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons had not been addressed, and that prison
conditions in Antigua and Barbuda were worsening, owing to overcrowding, inadequate
food and hygiene, and gang violence, among other factors. Australia urged Antigua and
Barbuda to take action to improve prison conditions, including by addressing the backlog of
criminal cases. Australia made recommendations.
13.
The Bahamas noted with satisfaction the considerable strides made by Antigua and
Barbuda in promoting and protecting human rights. Particularly commendable were the
recent legislative reforms enacted by virtue of the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention)
(Amendment) Act, the Migrant Smuggling (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, the Defamation
Act and the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act. It also welcomed the passage
by the upper and lower houses of Parliament of a new domestic violence bill that broadened
the definitions of the domestic relationship and domestic violence, enhanced the protections
for victims and children and protected against newer forms of harassment such as
cyberstalking. The Bahamas made recommendations.
14.
Barbados commended Antigua and Barbuda for acceding to the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities and urged the country to continue collaborating with all
stakeholders in drafting a national policy for persons with disabilities. Barbados also
commended Antigua and Barbuda for the efforts it had made to improve the protection of
children, as well as the quality of life of its citizens through social programmes and policies
to reduce poverty and to assist the elderly and through the provision of adequate health
care.
15.
Canada welcomed the delegation of Antigua and Barbuda and thanked it for its
presentation of the national report. Canada commended Antigua and Barbuda for its
4
GE.16-10597
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