A/HRC/18/2
recommendation to provide shelter and assistance to asylum seekers, while more than 1,400
of them were homeless in 2011. It expressed concern at the fact that asylum seekers, who
apply for asylum at the border, were still routinely detained, contrary to what Belgium
claimed. Amnesty International urged Belgium to use detention as a measure of last resort
and to reflect such a provision in law.
4.
Concluding remarks of the State under review
250. In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Roux thanked the troika, the secretariat and
the intervening delegations. He addressed two points discussed during the session and
contained in the report of the Working Group; first, with regard to the issue of migrant
workers, he referred to paragraph 36 of the report, which explained Belgium’s position.
This was a matter of concern not only to Belgium but to the European Union as a whole.
Second, in reply to the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Human
Rights Commission on the question of the veil, Ambassador Roux referred to paragraph 42
of the report. He highlighted the openness of Belgian society and the challenges it faced
owing to its multiculturalism.
251. Ambassador Roux stressed the fact that structures and mechanisms existed to ensure
that civil society exercised its rights and that federal and federated authorities took into
account its views. Bearing in mind the developing situation in Belgium, he pledged to
return to the Human Rights Council in 2013 for a midterm review.
Denmark
252. The review of Denmark was held on 2 May 2011 in conformity with all the relevant
provisions contained in Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, and was based on the
following documents:
(a)
The national report submitted by Denmark in accordance with the annex to
Council resolution 5/1, paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/11/DNK/1);
(b)
The compilation prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (b)
(A/HRC/WG.6/11/DNK/2);
(c)
The summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c)
(A/HRC/WG.6/11/DNK/3).
253. At its 18th meeting, held on 21 September 2011, the Human Rights Council
considered and adopted the outcome of the review of Denmark (see section C below).
254. The outcome of the review of Denmark comprises the report of the Working Group
on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/18/4), the views of Denmark concerning the
recommendations and/or conclusions, and its voluntary commitments and replies presented
before the adoption of the outcome by the plenary to questions or issues that were not
sufficiently addressed during the interactive dialogue in the Working Group (see also
A/HRC/18/4/Add.1).
1.
Views expressed by the State under review on the recommendations and/or
conclusions, its voluntary commitments and the outcome
255. The delegation was honoured to address the plenary meeting devoted to the adoption
of the outcome of Denmark’s first universal periodic review. It had been a privilege to be
given this opportunity to engage in an open and constructive dialogue with members of the
Human Rights Council and observer States on the situation of human rights in Denmark.
256. The delegation emphasized its strong support for the universal periodic review
mechanism. Having taken part in the process, it now had an even better understanding of
GE.12-17756
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