A/HRC/12/7
Page 16
have been trained in this regard. Malta was active in the preparation of the Council of Europe
Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
77.
Clarifying the policy towards corporal punishment, the delegation said that concepts of
lawful correction and reasonable chastisement are in no way equivalent to corporal punishment.
In fact, the law recognizes even offences of small consequence as an offence of slight bodily
harm. Ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child was
foreseen and would take place shortly, once minor amendments were made to Maltese legislation
to bring it fully in line with the dictates of this instrument.
78.
On CPD, the delegation clarified that the Government has in principle decided to ratify it,
but that ratification and implementation in Maltese law require amendments to legislation and to
the Constitution. Those amendments are being drafted and considered.
79.
Thanking delegations for their valuable comments, Malta hoped the UPR mechanism
would be beneficial to itself and to the international community in general to help improve the
situation of human rights where required.
II. CONCLUSIONS AND/OR RECOMMENDATIONS
80.
In the course of the discussion, the following recommendations were made to Malta:
1.
Accede to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All
Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (ICRMW) (Brazil, Algeria,
Burkina Faso); comply with the principles of ICRMW and consider the possibility
of eventual ratification (Mexico);
2.
Take concrete measures to improve services for migrants and to ensure full
respect of the human rights of migrants (Burkina Faso);
3.
Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on
the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography (CRC-OP-SC) (France, Slovenia, Turkey, Argentina);
4.
Ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (France, Italy,
Jordan) and improve the integration of persons with disabilities in the education
system (France);
5.
Consider ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons
from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocol to the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Argentina);
6.
Withdraw the reservations to articles 11,13,15 and 16 of the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Slovenia);
7.
Continue its efforts aimed at protecting and promoting human rights and
fundamental freedoms and, in this regard, adopt all necessary measures to ensure
better harmonization between its national legislation and the international
instruments to which Malta is a party (Egypt, Nicaragua);
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