A/HRC/33/13
30.
Guatemala noted the steps that had been taken to promote, protect and respect the
fundamental human rights of all persons. It was pleased that Antigua and Barbuda had
ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and acknowledged the
commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s participation in the political,
economic and social life of the country. Guatemala made recommendations.
31.
Honduras was pleased at the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities. It acknowledged the commitment of the Government to promote gender
equality and the full participation of women in the political, economic and social life of the
country. Honduras made recommendations.
32.
Indonesia thanked Antigua and Barbuda for its presentation of the national report on
the efforts made in the field of human rights since the first review. Indonesia commended
the efforts made by Antigua and Barbuda to enact and amend several laws to better promote
and protect human rights in the country and to fulfil its international human rights
obligations. Indonesia also appreciated the establishment of several institutions to support
the implementation of international human rights instruments, such as the Office of the
Ombudsman and the Office of the Information Commissioner. Indonesia made
recommendations.
33.
Italy commended Antigua and Barbuda for the steps taken since the first review in
enhancing the protection of human rights. It particularly welcomed the recent ratification of
the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the commitment to alleviate and
eradicate poverty, and the attention devoted to women’s rights and gender equality, for
example with the creation of the gender affairs department. Italy noted positively the
legislative measures taken to enhance the protection of the rights of the child and
congratulated Antigua and Barbuda on steps taken in combating human trafficking. Italy
made recommendations.
34.
Jamaica commended Antigua and Barbuda for its commitment to improving the
quality of life of its citizens, through legislative reform and programmes directed at
increasing socioeconomic advancement. It particularly commended the passage in 2015 of
a suite of laws relating to children and families, and of the Defamation Act and the
amendment to the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act. Jamaica also commended
Antigua and Barbuda for placing children with visual disabilities in the mainstream
educational system from preschool age, for setting up the multi-stakeholder National
Wellness Committee and for its commitment to several socioeconomic programmes
implemented under the umbrella of PDV Caribe, part of the Petrocaribe Initiative. Jamaica
made recommendations.
35.
Malaysia noted that Antigua and Barbuda had taken numerous initiatives to improve
the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. It welcomed the accession to
the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and noted the new laws focusing
on the protection of children’s rights. It also noted the efforts that Antigua and Barbuda had
made towards eradicating poverty by providing financial assistance and implementing
social programmes to improve access to basic needs for persons living in vulnerable
situations. Malaysia made recommendations.
36.
The delegation of Antigua and Barbuda responded to questions put forward during
the interactive dialogue. It considered that the issue of the age of criminal responsibility
was a serious one. It added that the legislature had debated the issue but had been unable to
change the law because some members considered that it should remain as it was.
However, it was expected that civil society organizations would exert pressure for the age
of criminal responsibility to be raised.
37.
With regard to the death penalty, after listening to many statements, the delegation
acknowledged that this was a sensitive issue for the international community. It noted,
GE.16-10597
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