A/HRC/13/56
misconduct and/or to impose sanctions where appropriate. These include criminal
procedures, the Independent Authority for the Investigation of Allegations against the
Police, the appointment of independent investigators by the Attorney-General, the
Ombudsman, the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, the Police Audit and Inspection
Directorate, and internal police disciplinary procedures. In 2009, the Directorate of
Professional Standards was established by the police as an internal self-monitoring
mechanism. The police had recently incorporated specialized courses, lectures and
workshops on human rights, racism and diversity at all levels of police training.
309. The Government was determined to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings
for the purpose of sexual or labour exploitation. In addition to the legal and other measures
that the Government was taking, Cyprus extended an open invitation to countries of origin
to cooperate in combating trafficking in human beings.
310. An unprecedented influx of irregular migrants in the last decade had placed extreme
pressure on the financial and human resources of the country. Nevertheless, Cyprus
recognized the challenges and would continue to honour its relevant international
commitments. Cyprus was fully aware of the human dimension of migration and the need
to ensure that individuals, in whatever circumstances, receive respect and enjoy their
dignity.
311.
2.
The delegation was available to provide further clarifications.
Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome
312. Turkey considered that the integrity of the universal periodic review must be upheld,
the rules must be fully respected, and its politicization must be avoided. It welcomed the
appeals made and hoped that they would discourage countries under review from
attempting to exploit the process for political goals. Turkey stated that countries should
refrain from including accusations against other countries in their national reports and in
other presentations. One of the virtues of the universal periodic review was the equal
treatment of all States, without any privilege. It hoped that this practice would endure and
no other precedents would be set, but observed with regret the unusual treatment applied.
Turkey had no intention to repeat the statement made at the Working Group session, which
could constitute a response to the questions raised in the introductory remarks, and would
further elaborate its views during the general debate on agenda item 6. Turkey had noticed
the incorrect comments made in its Working Group statement in the additional information
submitted. In order to save time, it would distribute its views later as a Council document.
The report to be adopted included important recommendations aimed at promoting and
protecting human rights; Turkey recommended that the concerned authorities focus on their
implementation.
313. India considered that, without any prejudice to the position taken by the State under
review not to be present at the time of the adoption of the report by the Working Group, or
the reasons thereof, there was a failure in the collective responsibility to ensure that things
did not come to such a pass. More time should have been allowed for consultations before
the adoption of the report. This had set a difficult precedent, with wide-ranging implications
to the extent that the obligations of the report on the State under review and the validity of
the adoption of the report in such circumstances were unclear. This general concern held
regardless of whether or not the absentee State under review subsequently decided to accept
the universal periodic review outcome. It stressed that, while respecting and valuing the
principle of freedom of expression during the interactive dialogue, it was equally important
to emphasize that such freedom had to be exercised specifically and only within the ambit
and purpose of the universal periodic review and in strict conformity with the principles
laid down in Council resolution 5/1.
124
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