A/HRC/13/11
role of the National Judicial Commission. It asked to what extent the National Commission
for Women and Children (NCWC) has been playing for improving the promotion and
protection of human rights.
27.
Sri Lanka sought further information on key features of the Constitution that
specifically provide guarantees for human rights and on the safeguards provided in the
Constitution and the national legal framework to protect victims against violations of
human rights. Sri Lanka congratulated Bhutan on its achievements and best practices in the
areas of health, education and poverty alleviation. Sri Lanka made recommendations.
28.
Egypt commended the devotion of an entire chapter on women in development in
Bhutan’s tenth Five-Year Plan which requires effectively mainstreaming gender issues into
Bhutan’s policies and programmes and to maintain gender disaggregated data. Egypt
welcomed the establishment of effective response to children and women’s rights
violations, especially dealing with domestic violence and abuses cases. Egypt made
recommendations.
29.
Belarus appreciated the energetic steps taken by Bhutan to improve the legal and
court system. Belarus expressed approval of the efforts taken in eradicating illiteracy,
preventing the spread of HIV and combating malnutrition. Belarus considered that more
attention needed to be paid to dealing with such problems as domestic violence and the
sexual exploitation of children for commercial purposes. Belarus made recommendations.
30.
Singapore noted that Bhutan is guided by a development philosophy that differs
from income bases measurements and is committed to a development path that is clean and
green and that countries could draw on such successful approaches. Singapore welcomed
the establishment of the first Women and Child Protection Unit to provide effective, prompt
and sensitive response to situations of violations of women and children’s rights. Singapore
made recommendations.
31.
China noted that, since 1961, Bhutan has used 30 per cent of its revenue on social
sectors, and under the tenth five-year development plan, 45 per cent of the budget was
allocated to education, health and employment. It expressed support for Bhutan’s priority
on poverty reduction to improve human rights protection. China made a recommendation.
32.
Cambodia appreciated Bhutan’s efforts to conduct a reform policy of many areas in
line with a guiding principle of its development, known as GNH. Cambodia complimented
the efforts made on poverty reduction and progress towards achieving the Millennium
Development Goals. Cambodia commended the steps taken to ratify the two Optional
Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in July 2009. Cambodia
made recommendations.
33.
Nepal asked about efforts to address alleged violations of the rights of the minorities
and Bhutan’s plans to implement the recommendations of CRC, particularly the reunion of
women and children in refugee camps with their families and relatives in Bhutan. Nepal
stated that hundreds of already verified refugees by Nepal-Bhutan Joint Verification team
in 2003 continue to languish in refugee camps, despite Bhutan’s commitments to take them
back home. It asked if Bhutan has any time frame to return to bilateral dialogue to work for
lasting and durable solutions of this humanitarian problem.
34.
Brazil recently hosted the fifth Gross National Happiness Conference. Welcoming
the drafting of a domestic violence bill, it asked if there was an institution for investigating
complaints, providing assistance and ensuring access to justice for victims. It commended
Bhutan for promoting children’s rights. Brazil supported negotiations between Bhutan and
Nepal towards durable solutions for refugees. Brazil made recommendations.
35.
Canada noted positive legislative changes paving the way for greater freedom of
expression, a more independent judiciary, less corruption and better labour conditions.
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