A/HRC/17/2
598. Morocco noted that, thanks to the efforts of all stakeholders, the Niger had overcome
the crisis since the coup d’état in February 2010 and become an example for democratic
transition. Morocco noted that the Niger’s commitment to human rights was demonstrated
by its constitutional, legislative and institutional measures, as well as numerous
programmes for the protection of human rights, in particular within the framework of the
Millennium Development Goals. In accepting almost all Working Group recommendations,
the Niger had reaffirmed its engagement and cooperation with international human rights
mechanisms. It was important for the international community to support the Niger in order
to ensure success in the follow-up to the recommendations.
3.
General comments made by other relevant stakeholders
599. Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme stated that the Niger had
crossed an important threshold in its successful political transition, marked by the
organization of elections and the subsequent appointment of a democratically elected
president. It welcomed these changes, which were the fruit of the action of, inter alia, the
United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States,
with the active involvement of national and international civil society. The Niger was still
facing sociocultural problems, such as violence against women and the enslavement of
women and children in rural areas. According to the organization, the Niger authorities
should take appropriate measures to put an end to these practices and to promote human
rights education and awareness, and training for law enforcement officials.
600. The International Federation for Human Rights called on the Niger to continue
implementation of the concrete measures started during the political transition period.
Freedom of expression and association and the rights to information, a fair trial and
freedom of movement should be protected in an effective manner, while special attention
should be paid to the protection of human rights defenders, who had often been the target of
harassment and intimidation. It noted that the Niger had accepted to take measures to end
gender discrimination, and called on the Niger to ratify the Protocol to the African Charter
on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the rights of women in Africa, and to lift its reservations
to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. The Federation
echoed the call of several countries for the abolition of the death penalty and noted that,
despite the adoption of a law criminalizing slavery, this practice persisted and that penal
proceedings against it were almost inexistent. It welcomed the Niger’s commitments with
regard to social and economic rights, but stated that it should demonstrate a real willingness
to respect these rights, particularly the rights to food and to water.
4.
Concluding remarks of the State under review
601. The Niger commended all the speakers and took note of the encouragements and
suggestions regarding its efforts in the area of human rights
602. The Niger emphasized that it needed the support of the international community to
ensure the conclusion of the process that it had begun.
Mozambique
603. The review of Mozambique was held on 1 February 2011 in conformity with all the
relevant provisions contained in Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, and was based on
the following documents:
(a)
The national report submitted by Mozambique in accordance with the annex
to resolution 5/1, paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/10/MOZ/1);
(b)
The compilation prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (b)
(A/HRC/WG.6/10/MOZ/2);
174
GE.12-13630
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents