A/HRC/41/2
3.
General comments made by other stakeholders
663. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of Vanuatu, three other
stakeholders made statements.**
664. Franciscans International commended Vanuatu for supporting those
recommendations related to the commitment to review existing policies and programmes on
climate change, adaptation and mitigation of effects of climate change using a human
rights-based approach. It also commended Vanuatu for having taken a progressive policy
through the establishment of the Ministry of Climate Change responsible for the
implementation of the current national policy on climate change and disaster risks
reduction. It also stated that in 2018, the report of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate
Change explained a widespread harm and human rights impact of global warming. It called
on the Human Rights Council to conduct a study to evaluate whether the universal periodic
review recommendations on climate change have brought coherence and positive impact on
the climate policy in action at the national level.
665. Center for Global Nonkilling commended Vanuatu for its low death rate, as
compared to other States. It, however, expressed surprise and regret that Vanuatu had
refused a recommendation to ratify the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of
the Crime of Genocide. It called on Vanuatu to review its decision, and to ratify the
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide Crime as soon as possible.
666. Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative commended the Government of Vanuatu
for accepting 96 recommendations, including those related to a national implementation
plan to implement the universal periodic review recommendations, the setting-up of a
national human rights institution, climate change, elimination of discrimination, violence
and abuse against women and children, prevention of police brutality, and ensuring access
to health-care and education. It, however, expressed regret that Vanuatu had only noted 39
recommendations relating to the ratification of core international human rights instruments,
elimination of gender discrimination and stereotypes, protection of the rights and social
inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and inter-sex persons. It praised Vanuatu for
taking commendable steps in eliminating corruption. It also noted that Vanuatu’s Access to
Information Law needed broad dissemination. It also highlighted that, despite the fact that
Vanuatu had supported the recommendation regarding civic education and raising the
awareness of previous cycle universal periodic review recommendations, the Government
had not undertaken any effective action, especially in rural areas. It recommended that
Vanuatu implement the universal periodic review recommendations in cooperation with
civil society.
4.
Concluding remarks of the State under review
667. The Vice-President stated that, based on the information provided, out of 135
recommendations received, 96 enjoyed the support of Vanuatu and 35 were noted.
668. Vanuatu reiterated its thanks to the invaluable contributions made by States, nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders during the third cycle universal
periodic review of Vanuatu. It concluded by reaffirming its commitment to the universal
periodic review and to the implementation of the supported recommendations.
** The statements of stakeholders that were unable to deliver them owing to time constraints which were
made available are posted on the extranet of the Human Rights Council, at
https://extranet.ohchr.org/sites/hrc/HRCSessions/RegularSessions/41Session/Pages/default.aspx
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