A/HRC/16/2 505. According to the delegation, the second part of recommendation 108 was, regretfully, irrelevant. The delegation explained that Bulgaria, as a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, fully implemented all of its provisions, including those of its article 27. Likewise, Bulgaria abided by the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and strictly implemented the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights vis-à-vis Bulgaria. 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Human Rights Council on the review outcome 506. Algeria appreciated Bulgaria’s acceptance of an important number of recommendations, including two made by Algeria, on the establishment of a national human rights institution and on the fight against all forms of religious hatred, discrimination, racism, extremism and xenophobia. Algeria noted the explanation for the rejection of the recommendation on the ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Algeria would have like to see this recommendation accepted in the spirit of recommendation No. 1737 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Algeria hoped that Bulgaria would accept recommendation 4 calling for effective measures to improve the health-care sector and the right to health. 507. Morocco noted with satisfaction Bulgaria’s indication of the existence of an independent national human rights institution in conformity with the Paris Principles and its intention to apply for accreditation in 2011. Morocco welcomed Bulgaria’s reform of its judicial system through its judicial strategy, and indicated that the activities undertaken in a targeted and coordinated manner among all stakeholders favoured the adoption of the strategy as a best practice to be followed. It also appreciated the various actions taken in favour of vulnerable groups, in particular children and persons with disabilities, including in the spheres of education, employment and health. Morocco thanked Bulgaria for having accepted its recommendations concerning the systematic inclusion of human rights education and training in the education system and in vocational training, as well as on the integration of the Roma in Bulgarian society. 508. Turkey thanked Bulgaria for its responses to the recommendations made. It commended the achievements made by Bulgaria in various fields and welcomed the development of their bilateral relations. Turkey expressed the view that the Turkish minority in Bulgaria was a bridge of friendship, and recalled that Turkey had made recommendations during the universal periodic review with a view to strengthening that bridge further. Turkey trusted that its messages of friendship were heard by Bulgaria, and wished to continue to enhance their cooperation in every possible field. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 509. COC Netherlands and ILGA-Europe commended Bulgaria for all positive steps that it had taken in the past for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, but reiterated the need to implement various universal periodic review recommendations for them. It highlighted the importance of the development and implementation of effective hate crime legislation, and encouraged Bulgaria to include civil society in the development of education and training programmes to overcome discriminatory patterns against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and ethnic minorities. It suggested that Bulgaria further develop work in this area by applying the Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as a guide to assist in policymaking. 510. Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme took note of the National Strategy for Children 2008–2018 to improve the situation of those children living in GE.11-17059 175

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents