A/HRC/40/14
communities. It also praised the decreases in maternal mortality and the quantifiable results
achieved through the educational quality improvement programme.
46.
Brazil praised the de facto moratorium on the death penalty, the fact that no
executions had been carried out since 1985 and that the Supreme Court had overturned the
death sentence of the last remaining person on death in July 2015. It commended Belize for
overturning the anti-sodomy legislation, for its engagement in the protection of refugees
and its commitment to improving the access to and the quality of food and nutrition
provided to children.
47.
Canada commended Belize for decriminalizing same-sex sexual activity and for its
progress in the recognition and protection of indigenous land rights. It encouraged Belize to
address resource shortfalls for human rights institutions, the high prevalence of human
trafficking and violence against women, and complaints of excessive use of force by the
police.
48.
Chile noted the efforts made by Belize to strengthen its legal framework for the
promotion and protection of human rights, and welcomed the ratification of international
human rights conventions. It also noted the inclusive education policy for children with
disabilities. It was concerned that Belize had not been present at the examination of the
situation in Belize by the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant
Workers and Members of Their Families and had not submitted its national report under the
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and
Members of Their Families.
49.
China noted the existence of discrimination against ethnic minorities and vulnerable
groups and violence against women in Belize. It also noted that the school dropout rate was
high in Belize and that the right to health for all people was not effectively guaranteed.
50.
Costa Rica noted that Belize had started implementing the United Nations
Convention against Corruption. It highlighted efforts made to reflect the Sustainable
Development Goals in the strategy for growth and sustainable development 2016–2019 and
the signature of the strategy for universal access and coverage to health. Costa Rica noted
that Belize had acceded to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness and was
a party to most international human rights instruments. It was concerned by the lack of
access to justice for migrant workers and a lack of increase in women at the national and
municipal levels of government.
51.
Côte d’Ivoire noted the considerable efforts made by Belize to improve the human
rights situation throughout the country, since its previous review. It welcomed the measures
taken to strengthen the normative and institutional framework and encouraged Belize to
continue its efforts to address the challenges relating to the protection and promotion of
human rights.
52.
Cuba noted the positive progress in implementing the recommendations Belize had
accepted from the previous review, including the updating of its legal framework and the
implementation of measures to combat trafficking in persons. Cuba also took positive note
of the efforts to reduce poverty and improve the quality of and access to education and
health services.
53.
Denmark stated that International Labour Organization (ILO) Indigenous and Tribal
Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) was an important tool in securing and strengthening
international norms concerning the rights of indigenous peoples. Open dialogue was a core
element when working together to promote international human rights norms and standards
and full collaboration with the special procedures and other mechanisms of the Human
Rights Council was of great importance in that regard.
54.
Fiji congratulated Belize on the recent development of a climate change and
adaptation strategy. It also commended Belize on the initiatives it had implemented under
the national health strategic plan 2014–2024 and the Integrated Health Services Delivery
Networks Approach, as well as for the implementation of the Education and Training Act.
55.
France noted the recent progress made by Belize, such as the decriminalization of
homosexuality, and encouraged Belize to continue its efforts.
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