A/HRC/19/10 47. Australia noted progress in promoting women’s rights and called on Togo to pursue gender equality in all areas of society. It was concerned at reported limitations placed on the freedom of expression and opinion, including on media outlets and journalists. It welcomed recent initiatives aimed at protecting child’s rights, but expressed concern at continued reports of sexual abuse and trafficking. Australia urged Togo to decriminalize homosexuality. Australia made recommendations. 48. The United States of America commended Togo for the establishment of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, as well as for having accepted more than 13,000 refugees. It expressed concerns regarding allegations of torture and inquired whether torture would be included in the Criminal Code and whether an independent monitoring system would be established. It also expressed concerns at the prevalence of trafficking in persons. The United States made recommendations. 49. Slovenia commended Togo for establishing the National Human Rights Commission, accredited with “A” status, and for the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto. However, it noted that children with disabilities continued to face exclusion and that few of them had access to education. Slovenia welcomed the abolishment of the death penalty. It asked how Togo intended to address the problem of low birth registration rates. Slovenia made recommendations. 50. Uruguay commended measures adopted to reach Millennium Development Goal 7 with regard to safe drinking water and sanitation, especially the recognition of access to water as a human right, as well as to promote gender equality and child rights protection, in particular the creation of a national commission for the care and social reintegration of child victims of trafficking. Uruguay recognized that Togo was party to a large number of international human rights instruments. Uruguay made recommendations. 51. Chile acknowledged the challenges of Togo and the past political instability, which had had a negative impact on human rights. It welcomed the 2006 General Political Agreement and congratulated Togo for its commitments set out in paragraph 110 of its national report. Chile encouraged Togo to continue combating illiteracy, poverty and the unemployment rate, and to promote good governance. Chile made recommendations. 52. Argentina applauded the abolition of the death penalty and the adoption of a national human rights action plan. Argentina made recommendations. 53. Hungary commended the abolition of the death penalty and the accreditation of the National Commission for Human Rights by the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. With regard to discrimination against girls, Hungary noted that Togo had yet to ratify the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention against Discrimination in Education. While welcoming the adoption of the 2007 Children’s Code, Hungary noted that a national committee on child’s rights had yet to be realized. Hungary made recommendations. 54. The United Kingdom urged Togo to take all necessary steps to implement as soon as possible the outstanding recommendations of the 2005 fact-finding mission report and of treaty bodies related to the General Peace Agreement, as well as to consolidate democratic institutions, ensuring that human rights were in line with corresponding international obligations, in particular with regard to the rights to freedom of expression and assembly. The United Kingdom made recommendations. 55. Latvia commended Togo for the inclusive approach taken during the preparation of its national report. Latvia welcomed the recent cooperation of Togo with special procedures by receiving visits from the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or 8 GE.11-17383

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