A/HRC/21/15
2012. Regarding the remarks on the issue of a human rights institution, Aruba would be
working together with Curaçao and the Netherlands in creating a similar type of institution
on the island to guarantee information, education and protection of human rights in their
community.
78.
The representative of Curaçao stated that corporal punishment was prohibited by law
in Curaçao. She also referred to an amendment of the Civil Code which defined parents’
role as caretakers and educators and explicitly stated that parents were not allowed to
employ either emotional nor physical violence or any other form of humiliating treatment
against children.
79.
Curaçao was a party to six major human rights instruments and its Constitution
covered all the rights. However, the situation on the ground was not fully in conformity
with the treaties. The National Human Rights Institution must work towards that and was
not only expected to promote and protect human rights, but also to play an important role in
human rights education. Curaçao was conscious of its shortcomings in respect to human
rights institutions, law and policies. A seminar of experts was being prepared for June 2012,
which would be used to design the national human rights policy.
80.
Azerbaijan asked about the efforts undertaken by the Government of the Netherlands
to establish national human rights institutions compliant with the Paris Principles.
Azerbaijan remained concerned about the persistence of gender-role stereotypes, in
particular about migrant women and men. Furthermore, Azerbaijan welcomed the
introduction of compulsory education and measures to give all children access to school
and reduce dropout rates. Azerbaijan made recommendations.
81.
While understanding the importance of integration of migrants into the society of a
destination country, Bangladesh emphasized the importance of ensuring the social and
cultural rights of migrants equally. Regarding fundamental freedoms, it asked about
instances where the Criminal Code had been applied to restrict freedom of expression to
uphold freedom of others. Bangladesh made recommendations.
82.
Belarus appealed the Netherlands to step up its interaction with the special
procedures. Belarus mentioned reports that migrants and ethnic minorities were subjected
to various forms of discrimination. Belarus underlined concerns of the Committee on the
Rights of the Child over the scale of child sex tourism with participation of Dutch citizens,
and the lack of appropriate reaction to this phenomenon. Belarus made recommendations.
83.
Botswana commended the ratification of the OP-CAT, OP-CRC-AC and CPED as a
follow-up to the first-cycle UPR. While welcoming the constitutional and institutional
reforms taken, including the 2010 referendum granting Curaçao and Sint Maarten the
autonomy as States, and the establishment of the Children’s Ombudsman in 2011,
Botswana asked how the Dutch Government intended to address that the fact that the
administrative apparatus of Curaçao had not yet established. Botswana made a
recommendation.
84.
Brazil welcomed the progress made concerning LGBT rights, especially promoting
the safety of LGBT persons, and also commended the Netherlands for its measures
regarding women’s rights. Furthermore, Brazil asked the Dutch delegation about statistics
on the number of asylum seekers who had effectively been granted refugee status in the
country in the last five years. Brazil made recommendations.
85.
Canada asked for information on when the Netherlands plans to ratify CRPD and
OP-CRPD. Canada made a recommendation.
86.
With regards to achievements and best practices, Chile stressed the establishment of
the National Institution for Human Rights, Children’s Ombudsman and Municipal Anti-
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