A/HRC/12/2
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56. Ghana, noting challenges, supported the Government’s call to the international community
to help strengthen its institutions. Ghana recommended that the Government speed up efforts to
ensure the proper functioning of the National Human Rights Commission in accordance with the
Paris Principles; and implement the recommendations made by the Human Rights Committee
following its consideration of the country’s periodic report.
57. Argentina encouraged the Central African Republic to continue the national dialogue and
recommended taking all possible measures to ensure respect for and promotion of international
human rights law, international humanitarian law and international law for refugees. It asked
about results in preventing the recruitment of children. Noting with interest the creation of a
National Human Rights Commission, it recommended adapting internal legislation to
international standards in this area, including the Paris Principles. Argentina invited the State to
consider ratifying CED and accepting the competence of the Committee on Enforced
Disappearances. It recommended that it consider ratifying the Protocol to the African Charter on
Human and Peoples’ Rights on the establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’
Rights, ICCPR-OP 2, the Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in
Africa, the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, the Convention Relating to the Status
of Stateless Persons, the Convention on the Nationality of Married Women, international
conventions on apartheid and the OP-CAT.
58. Belgium noted that cooperation with the United Nations, particularly the Peacebuilding
Commission and the Working Group of the Security Council on children and armed conflict, was
encouraging. It asked about Government follow-up to recommendations of the Special
Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions in 2008. Belgium recommended
(a) the establishment of a permanent coordination structure for different security forces to
consistently address various issues such as the training of the military and providing them with
weapons; and that members of the security forces receive training in humanitarian and human
rights law and that they follow a programme for gender awareness at all ranks; and (b) that
members of the security forces suspected of violations of human rights or humanitarian law be
rapidly handed over to justice for investigation and judgment. It encouraged severe vetting action
linked to recruiting and promotion. It recommended (c) signing and ratifying CRC-OP-AC and
implementing it nationally.
59. The Czech Republic recommended (a) ensuring comprehensive training and education for
all security forces and prison staff in human rights and international humanitarian law, and
adopting legal and other necessary measures to ensure their full accountability for any violations
of these norms; (b) deletion of the crime of witchcraft from the penal code and the launching of
wide education campaigns against the phenomenon of violence against perceived witches
together with concrete measures to protect victims or potential victims of such attacks.
Welcoming decriminalization of press offences, it recommended (c) adoption of further
measures to ensure in practice protection of journalists against threats and attacks, including
imprisonment in contravention of their right to freedom of expression. On upholding the
principle of non-discrimination, particularly relating to women and minorities, including sexual
minorities, it recommended (d) reviewing all relevant national legislation so that it complies
fully with international instruments that prohibit all forms of discrimination.
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