A/HRC/22/3
concerned that measures to address the segregation of Roma children in education were not
being consistently applied. Canada made recommendations.
82.
Chad noted with satisfaction that the Czech Republic had accepted 29 of the 30
recommendations during the first UPR cycle and that it was a party to most international
human rights instruments. However, it asked how legislation specifically ensured that
patients enjoyed rights and status equal to those of health workers.
83.
China was deeply concerned over continued acts of racism, xenophobia and the
deteriorating human rights situation of minority groups, such as Roma. Violence against the
Roma community had continued unabated and Roma had suffered discrimination in many
areas, including education, employment and housing. Anti-Roma contents had even been
found in primary school teaching materials. China made recommendations.
84.
Costa Rica welcomed the significant steps made in human rights, especially in
combating violence against children, including providing specialized training for the
judiciary. While it welcomed the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman, it pointed
out that the Office was not in accordance with the Paris Principles, and urged the Czech
Republic to rectify the situation. Costa Rica made recommendations.
85.
Cuba shared concerns about discrimination against minority groups, particularly
Roma, and persistent displays of racism and xenophobia and associated violence. It
lamented the failure to prohibit organizations that incited racial discrimination. It was also
concerned at reports of prison overcrowding, which had led to an increase in violence
among prisoners and suicides. Cuba made recommendations.
86.
Cyprus welcomed efforts to integrate foreigners, combat racism, protect children’s
rights and address the situation of socially excluded Roma. It asked about the intention of
the Czech Republic to improve women’s opportunities in the labour market and their
participation in policy- and decision-making, and whether the victims of violence and rape
had access to legal aid and exercised their right to compensation.
87.
The Czech Republic underlined that it considered the integration of the Roma
minority as one of its principal goals. The Roma Integration Concept for 2010–2013 and
the Strategy to Combat Social Exclusion 2012–2015 were the main documents and
included comprehensive integrative measures in relevant areas. The implementation of
those measures was assessed annually in a report prepared by the Government
Commissioner for Human Rights. The main platform for Roma participation was the
Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs, which is composed of Government
ministers and deputy ministers and Roma representatives on a parity level. In addition, the
Agency for Social Inclusion was a Government expert body helping with social inclusion
on the local level. Each of the 14 regional governments employed a regional Roma
coordinator and there were also 164 Roma counsellors in municipalities.
88.
The Czech Republic fully recognized the right of individuals to control and decide
on matters of their own sexuality and reproductive health. The Ombudsman reported in
2006, however, that there had been individual cases in which the procedure prescribed by
law had not been followed properly. In 2009, the Government officially expressed its regret
for past sterilizations performed contrary to the legal regulation, and it committed to adopt
measures to prevent their reoccurrence. New legislation, in effect since 2012, reinforced the
guarantees of patients’ rights with respect to free and informed consent. The Government
was presently considering a proposal to establish a non-judicial mechanism that could
complement the existing judicial means by providing a possibility to award compensation
ex gratia. A new complex set of rules which should facilitate access to legal aid was also
being considered.
12
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents