A/HRC/18/2
fourth periodic report to that Committee. UNICEF offered its technical support and looked
forward to continued collaboration with Suriname.
3.
General comments made by other relevant stakeholders
504. The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network welcomed the fact that the Government
would take steps to address concerns with regard to sexual orientation and identity. While
agreeing that national legislation offered protection to all Surinamese citizens, the Network
urged Suriname to explicitly include sexual orientation in article 8.2 of the Constitution as a
ground for non-discrimination and to apply this article by developing specific sanctions for
violations. It also urged Suriname to establish cooperation with LGBT organizations in the
country for the development of laws, policies and programmes to combat discrimination,
and to present a timetable of the steps that the Government would take. While agreeing that
these issues may be sensitive and require dialogue, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
expressed the view that granting equal rights to LGBT citizens was not a matter of granting
special rights but rather of applying existing human rights norms and principles to all.
4.
Concluding remarks of the State under review
505. The delegation of Suriname was grateful for the opportunity to respond to
recommendations made by non-governmental organizations and States. With a view to
clarifying the issues of LGBT individuals in Suriname, the delegation reiterated that the
Constitution of Suriname provided equal rights to all citizens. The Government of
Suriname had never received any report from any organization that LGBT persons were
discriminated. The delegation stated that, should written reports on specific instances of
discrimination of LGBT individuals be received by the Government, they would be
investigated and dealt with.
506. The Government of Suriname was planning to update its human rights agenda,
primarily on the basis of the recommendations accepted. When implementing the agenda,
the Government would solicit the technical assistance necessary from various nongovernmental organizations and countries. The delegation stated that the Government
appreciated respect for human rights for all its citizens, and recognized nevertheless that,
owing to limited resources, it was not always able to enhance human rights in the way it
would like. The delegation once again thanked all the countries and delegations who had
commented on its report.
Greece
507. The review of Greece was held on 9 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 Greece in accordance with the annex to
Council resolution 5/1, paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/11/GRC/1);
(b)
The compilation prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (b)
(A/HRC/WG.6/11/GRC/2);
(c)
The summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c)
(A/HRC/WG.6/11/GRC/3).
508. At its 23rd meeting, on 22 September 2011, the Human Rights Council considered
and adopted the outcome of the review of Greece (see section C below).
509. The outcome of the review of Greece comprises the report of the Working Group on
the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/18/13), the views of Greece concerning the
recommendations and/or conclusions, and its voluntary commitments and replies presented
GE.12-17756
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