A/HRC/14/16
gays, transgender and bisexual persons in practice and the fact that they were not treated
equally under all laws. Finally, it mentioned the so-called “two schools under one roof” that
had emerged after the war. Netherlands made recommendations
48.
Finland appreciated the adoption of the Disability Policy by the Council of Ministers
in 2008 and commended the Government for having established the legal framework in that
area. Finland noted the fact that the same social protection was not guaranteed for all
citizens throughout the country, and that the preferential treatment accorded war veterans in
terms of social benefits had continued to affect other socially vulnerable groups. Finland
asked a question about the measures taken to address the inadequacies in the social welfare
system, in particular with regard to vulnerable people and persons with disabilities. It made
recommendations.
49.
Switzerland referred to discrimination, freedom of expression and transitional
justice. It made recommendations.
50.
Belgium expressed concerns about the physical violence, threats and intimidation to
which human rights defenders were subject. As such attacks were rarely sanctioned, it
requested information about the number of legal proceedings that had begun and verdicts
pronounced in that area. It also referred to the worrisome situation of domestic and sexual
violence against women. Belgium made recommendations
51.
Sweden noted that the first cultural festival for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender people had been held in September 2008. However, Sweden expressed concern
at the violence that had taken place at the festival, while noting that there had been no
official condemnation by the authorities and that no one had been indicted or prosecuted to
date. Sweden asked the Government to provide details about the measures it was taking to
ensure the full enjoyment of human rights, including freedom of assembly and association
and of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, as well as about whether it would be
willing to condemn attacks on such persons. Sweden also asked the Government if it could
comment about the process of legalizing gay marriages. Sweden also noted that the right to
freedom of expression had not always been fully implemented and asked about the
measures taken to ensure full respect for freedom of expression.
52.
Serbia noted with appreciation that the national report had been prepared in broad
consultation with national stakeholders. It stated that resolving the problems of refugees
and internally displaced persons was a common goal for Bosnia and Herzegovina and
Serbia, and encouraged Bosnian authorities to continue in their commitment to the Sarajevo
Declaration. It offered its cooperation regarding reconciliation, including through the role
of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and domestic courts in
individualizing responsibilities. It welcomed efforts to combat human trafficking and
requested further information about that subject.
53.
Reacting to questions raised by certain delegations and regarding the judgment of
the European Court for Human Rights related to the constitutional provision that violated
election rights, Bosnia and Herzegovina indicated that that provision was, in fact, a very
successful attempt to stop the war and establish a kind of order that would guarantee peace.
Today, no one questioned the need to harmonize the legislation, but problems had arisen
with regard to how the Constitution should be amended, because there were several options.
54.
The issue related to the so-called “Algerian group” had been largely resolved, in
collaboration with the United States of America.
55.
Concerning education in the judiciary, institutional preconditions had been
established for the implementation of training programmes through the two judicial training
centres and the training centre for civil servants.
9
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