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UPR Recommendations 2012

The following recommendations will be examined by Pakistan which will provide responses in due time, but no later than the 22nd session of the Human Rights Council in March 2013. The response of Pakistan to these recommendations will be included in the outcome report adopted by the Human Rights Council at its 22nd session in March 2013.

1. Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CPED), the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Optional Protocol to CEDAW, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (OP-CRPD) and the Optional Protocol to CRC on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OP-CRC-AC) (Spain);

2. Ratify the Optional Protocols to CRC, on involvement of children in armed conflict (Iraq);

3. Ratify the Optional Protocol of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Uruguay);

4. Ratify the Second Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Uruguay);

5. Ratify the OP-CAT (Brazil)/ Accede to the OP-CAT and to establish its national preventive mechanism accordingly (Czech Republic);

6. Ratify or accede to the Rome Statute of the ICC, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CPED), the Optional Protocol to CRC on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OP-CRC-AC) (Uruguay);

7. Ratify the Rome Statute of the ICC, the 1951 Refugees Convention and its 1967 Protocol, as well as the Conventions on statelessness (Austria)/ Accede to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (Republic of Korea);

8. Take all appropriate steps to accede to the Rome Statute (Sweden)/ Ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Maldives)/ Accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, including its Agreement on Privileges and Immunities (Slovakia)/ Ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and fully align its national legislation with the provisions thereof (Hungary)/ Ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and to fully align its legislation with all the obligations under the Rome Statute including incorporating the Rome Statute definition of crimes and general principles, as well as adopting provisions enabling cooperation with the Court (Latvia);

9. Ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Indonesia);

10. Consider ratification of the third OP to CRC on a communication procedure (Slovakia)/Consider ratifying other international human rights instruments to which it is not a party yet (Nicaragua)/ Study the possibility of ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Argentina)/ Reconsider ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Mexico);

11. Consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT) and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Costa Rica)/ Consider the possibility of ratifying the Optional Protocol to the CAT and the Rome Statute (Tunisia);

12. Consider ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families as well as the ILO Convention 189 (Philippines)/ Consider ratifying the Palermo Protocol on human trafficking (The Philippines);

13. Withdraw remaining reservations to the ICCPR and the Convention against Torture and take immediate steps to incorporate both treaties into domestic legislation (Norway)/ Withdraw the remaining reservations to the ICCPR and the CAT (Switzerland)/ Withdraw the remaining reservations to ICCPR and to CAT (Slovenia)/ Consider removing the reservations made to the ICCPR to ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment (Maldives);

14. Ensure equal political participation and withdraw reservations to articles 3 and 25 of the ICCPR as these reservations remain critical to ensure equality rights of women and men and equal opportunities (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);

15. Continue stepping up efforts in the area of combating trafficking in persons, including considering acceding to the Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, and invite the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children (Belarus );

16. Continue developing the institutional framework with respect to the promotion and protection of human rights (Jordan);

17. Continue its ongoing review of national laws to ensure that they are in line with its international human rights law obligations (Turkmenistan)/Review of all relevant legislation and procedures to ensure systematic incorporation of international human rights obligations and their implementation on all levels of the government (Czech Republic)/Align its national legislation with the ratified international human rights treaties (Slovenia)/Continue working on the harmonization of its legislative domestic framework with the international human rights instruments to which it is a party (Nicaragua);

18. Promote the review of national legal provisions in the area of human rights, including constitutional provisions, to bring them into line with international standards (Mexico);

19. Repeal all provisions providing for mandatory death sentences with a view to abolishing them, and to ensure that women are not submitted to illegal parallel judicial system (Italy);

20. Specifically criminalize enforced disappearances in the penal code and reinforce the capacities of the Pakistanis Inquiry Commission on Enforced Disappearances in order that the Commission can fully carry out its mission (France);

21. Enact a provincial legislation on domestic violence as well as an increased number of support structures for women on the provincial level (Sweden);

22. Promote the repeal of all legal and administrative provisions remaining, which discriminate against women and girls (Mexico);

23. Sustain the positive momentum in upgrading its laws and institutions, in particular in the areas of the rights of women and children (Myanmar);

24. Expedite the adoption of the Charter of Child Rights Bill (Bhutan); 25. Adopt the Bill on Anti-Domestic Violence at the earliest possible (Maldives);

26. Continue strengthening and enhancing women rights through the enactment of relevant necessary laws while providing the necessary administrative and institutional mechanisms (Palestine);

27. Review and align the legislation with freedom of religion and belief and freedom of expression, as stipulated in the ICCPR (Sweden);

28. Ensure that blasphemy laws and their implementation are in line with international law (Switzerland)/Enact legislation ensuring freedom of religion and belief for all religious groups and consider abolishing the so-called blasphemy laws (Austria)/Repeal or reform thoroughly the so-called blasphemy law (The Netherlands);

29. Continue adopting measures in the framework of freedom of expression as the new legislation on freedom of expression was passed (Lebanon); 30. Derogate the law on blasphemy guaranteeing in practice the right to freedom of religion (Spain);

31. Modify or repeal the blasphemy laws in order to bring them in line with the principles related to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and in particular with its obligations under the ICCPR (Belgium);

32. Repeal discriminatory blasphemy laws against religious minorities and ensure that there is no impunity for those who commit hate crimes (Namibia)/Repeal the blasphemy law and respect and guarantee freedoms of religion or belief and of expression and opinion for all, including Ahmadis, Hindus and Christians (France);

33. Repeal the blasphemy law, or at least amend it to protect persons from eventual abuses or false accusations and lighten corresponding penalties, that are currently disproportional (Holy See);

34. Share its expertise in developing a Special Child’s Rights Charter with other countries and continue its efforts in cooperation with international groups to advance this initiative (United Arab Emirates);

35. Continue strengthening the legislation for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (Uruguay);

36. Continue to strengthen its domestic legislative, institutional and administrative machinery to fight challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, gender disparity and social inequality (Zimbabwe);

37. Decriminalize adultery and non-marital consensual sex and to ensure punishment for all perpetrators of this violence and calls to it including members and leaders of jirgas (Czech Republic);

38. Amend discriminatory laws and vigilantly counter discrimination against marginalized groups, including women and girls, ethnic and religious minorities and provide a safe and just environment for all citizens in Pakistan (Denmark);

39. Enact efficient legislation to prohibit and prevent the employment of children as domestic workers (Slovakia);

40. Continue its ongoing efforts to advance the rights of women and make similar efforts in the protection and promotion of the rights of children, especially by adopting the relevant legal instruments (Republic of Korea);

41. Continue to enhance its efforts to protect women, children and other vulnerable groups against discrimination and violence (Singapore);

42. Continue its efforts to strengthen human rights institutions (Saudi Arabia)/ Continue its efforts for strengthening human rights infrastructure (DPRK)/Continue efforts in strengthening national human rights mechanisms (Nepal);

43. Strengthen efforts to conclude the formation of the Independent National Commission for Human Rights, and ensure that all human and financial resources are provided to ensure the performance of its tasks effectively and in an independent and transparent manner (Qatar);

44. Make available the necessary resources to the Human Rights Commission to effectively implement its important mandate (South Africa);

45. Provide competencies and budget to the recently established institutions for the defence and guarantee of human rights (Spain);

46. Provide adequate resources to the National Human Rights Commission and appoint independent and credible commissioners (United States of America);

47. Dedicate sufficient resources to national human rights institutions to enhance their effective functioning and independence (Egypt);

48. Speedily operationalize the National Commission for Human Rights (Algeria);

49. Further its endeavors with regard to the smooth and productive activity of the National Commission for Human Rights within the country (Azerbaijan); 50. Continue evaluating its national capacities so as to be in line with the international human rights treaties it has acceded to or ratified (Malaysia);

51. Effectively implement the recent legislation on strengthening women rights and adequately fund the newly established National Commission on the Status of Women (Germany); 52. Take steps to continue to strengthen the operation of domestic human rights institutions, including the Human Rights Ministry, National Human Rights Commission and the Commission of the Status of Women (Australia);

53. Put in place effective monitoring and reporting mechanisms to ensure respect for women’s rights and to address violence against women in all its forms (Slovenia);

54. Strengthen measures aimed at providing protection and assistance to vulnerable segments of society, including those children affected by natural disasters to protect them from trafficking and exploitation at work (Libya);

55. Incorporate human rights into public policies and strengthen the human rights institutions (Ecuador); 56. Develop a national policy for the protection of human rights defenders and bring to justice all perpetrators of attacks on or threats against human rights defenders to combat impunity (Denmark);

57. Ensure adequate resources in implementing MDGs with priority focus on vulnerable groups such as women and children (Viet Nam);

58. Continue to prioritize policies aimed at improving the socio-economic condition of its citizens (South Africa);

59. Continue its policies on improving the rights of the child (Jordan);

60. Develop a clear implementation and monitoring plan for the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1992, the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Rules, 1995 and the National Policy and Plan of Action for the Abolition of Bonded Labour, 2001 (Ireland);

61. Create mechanisms to protect and support victims of sexual violence or gender violence (Switzerland);

62. Concentrate on the implementation of the international human rights instruments that have been ratified by Pakistan (Turkmenistan);

63. Continue providing and improving human rights education and training for judicial and law enforcement officials (Uganda);

64. Continue providing and improving human rights education and training for judicial and law enforcement officials (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea);

65. Enhance its efforts in the area of human rights education, training and awareness for its officials involved in the implementation of the related human rights law and legislation (Malaysia);

66. Adopt a national plan with provisions to implement the legislations on women’s rights (Brazil);

67. Continue advancing in the promotion and protection of women’s rights, with the consolidation of all institutional mechanisms and the application of the laws being launched (Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

68. Continue adopting its social policies of access to services on education and health, in particular for women and girls (Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of));

69. Consolidate the gains already made in the sphere of human rights through awareness programmes (Zimbabwe);

70. Maintain its policy of broadening and strengthening international cooperation in the sphere of human rights (Zimbabwe);

71. Develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent sexual exploitation of children and their cruel treatment and increase criminal liability for these crimes (Belarus);

72. Continue to develop and enhance programmes to provide education and support to children who have been recovered from militants or extremists, and to help them reintegrate into society (Singapore);

73. Continue to work by including human rights in general policies and placing people at the core of development (Saudi Arabia);

74. Continue to design and implement policies and programmes on pro-poor growth, job creation and income generation (Myanmar);

75. Continue to strengthen democratic institutions and pursue efforts to promote civil society and the media (Mauritania);

76. Continue to take necessary measures for carrying those reforms taken towards a consolidated democracy rapidly into effect (Turkey);

77. Continue cooperating with treaty monitoring bodies regarding follow-up and implementation of its treaty obligations (Nicaragua);

78. Step up its cooperation with the special procedures of the Human Rights Council by responding positively to the pending visit requests of special procedures mandate holders and eventually consider extending a standing invitation to all the special procedures mandate holders of the Human Rights Council (Latvia);

79. Extend a standing invitation to the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council and accept the competence of the treaty bodies in complaints, inquiry and urgent action procedures (Costa Rica);

80. Continue to provide access to UN Special Procedure mandate-holders who are seeking to help Pakistan to identify and address human rights challenges (Australia);

81. Issue an open invitation to the UN Special Rapporteurs (Belgium)/Extend a standing invitation to all HRC Special Procedures (Hungary)/Issue invitations to the Special Rapporteurs to assess the human rights situation in the country (Iraq)/Consider issuing standing invitation to all special procedures of the Human Rights Council (Norway);

82. Continue its efforts at the level of legislations and implementation in order to protect women rights and empower their emancipation economically and politically (Lebanon)

83. Continue developing adequate measures to guarantee in law and practice the equality of women, particularly their right to education, and fight effectively discrimination against women and gender violence (Spain);

84. Intensify its efforts to effectively implement the laws on discrimination against women, and on the promotion and protection of children (Tunisia);

85. Steadily implement as well as further enhance measures to address discrimination and violence against women (Japan);

86. Continue with its work in the area of women’s rights adopting a gender perspective in all public and private scenarios and encouraging the empowerment of women with a view to challenging the current inequality in the society (Bolivia (Plurinational State of));

87. Take deterrent measures to combat discrimination against women, girls and religious minorities and work towards eliminating poverty among those groups (Iraq);

88. Continue to spearhead progress toward the promotion of gender equality and development for women, in particular in areas of education and employment (Cambodia);

89. Maintain the momentum to protect the rights of women as well as to empower women in the area of economic development through various legislative measures and institutional mechanisms (Brunei Darussalam);

90. Take necessary measures to end harmful traditional practices against women, sexual harassment in public and work places and domestic violence (Chad);

91. Continue working for the welfare of children, women and persons with disabilities (Nepal);

92. Continue its efforts for the improvement of the health system and the elimination of discrimination against women and discrimination on the basis of caste (Holy See 3);

93. Increase its endeavours on promotion and protection of women’s rights especially in rural areas (Islamic Republic of Iran);

94. Continue organizing awareness educational courses on human rights, including training on equality between women and men, and on women’s rights (Libya);

95. Continue to work towards the empowerment of women and the promotion and protection of all their rights and intensify efforts and programmes to combat the phenomenon of trafficking of women and children (Qatar);

96. Further enhance measures to combat and prevent discrimination against vulnerable groups (Myanmar); 97. Train its law enforcement personnel on gender sensitivity and equality (Slovakia);

98. Definitely abolish the death penalty (France)/Abolish the death penalty (Namibia)/Abolish the death penalty (Spain)/Consider definitely abolishing the death penalty in its domestic legislation (Ecuador);

99. Consider the possibility of derogating the death penalty of its juridical regime (Argentina);

100. Declare an official moratorium on the death penalty (United Kingdom)/Declare a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty (Uruguay)/Establish a moratorium on the death penalty, as a first step towards complete abolition of this practice and accession to the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR (Australia)/Promptly establish a de jure moratorium on the death penalty (Belgium);

101. Implement measures to protect the right to life and freedom of expression of human rights defenders, and ensure that the perpetrators of violence are brought to justice (Australia);

102. Take steps to implement laws and policies with a view to eliminating early and forced marriage (Canada);

103. Take effective measures to prevent forced or early marriage, in particular with a view to ending rape, sexual exploitation and forced conversions of scheduled caste girls (Austria);

104. Adopt all possible measures to prevent and explicitly prohibit in its legal order the recruitment of children and their participation in armed actions and terrorist activities (Uruguay);

105. Continue fighting against trafficking of children and violence against women (Djibouti);

106. Prohibit child labour of minors under the age of 14 (France);

107. Ensure the reporting and investigation of cases of violence against women, effective awareness campaign against violence and consolidate measures to address sexual abuses and exploitation of children (Egypt);

108. Continue the reform of the judiciary, law enforcement and penitentiary system, as well as continue the policy to reduce crime and corruption (Russian Federation);

109. Take measures to combat impunity of all those who attack human rights defenders (Spain);

110. Reinforce its efforts to fight impunity regarding cases of enforced disappearance by bringing all responsible persons to justice (Switzerland);

111. Hold accountable those who commit religiously motivated acts of violence (United States of America); 112. Investigate attacks and violence against religious minorities and sects and bring those responsible to justice (Norway);

113. Take effective measures against enforced disappearances by strengthening the Commission of Inquiry and expanding their mandate to all security agencies (Germany)/Vest the national Commission on Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances great authority and resources to conduct investigations (Sweden);

114. Ensure investigations and prosecution of those responsible for abduction and enforced disappearances and encourage the Supreme Court to continue investigation on this problem. (Belgium);

115. Increase its efforts to promptly investigate all human rights abuses and prosecute alleged perpetrators (Hungary);

116. Take steps to bring to justice those who have threatened, or attacked human rights defenders, children, and others who are working to promote democracy and accountability in Pakistan (Canada);

117. Bring to justice perpetrators of attacks on journalists by effectively investigating all individuals and organizations accused of such abuses (Norway);

118. Introduce strong legislation prohibiting attacks against journalists to effectively investigate such acts and prosecute the perpetrators (Austria); 119. Continue the on-going reform process in order to consolidate democracy and the rule of law (Kyrgyzstan);

120. Continue efforts to enhance legislations and measures to further address the situation of religious minorities, including blasphemy laws, force conversion and discrimination against non-Muslim minorities (Thailand);

121. Continue and consolidate efforts in promoting dialogue, tolerance and social cohesion (Egypt);

122. Continue its measures aimed at the promotion of interfaith dialogue and the culture of tolerance (Azerbaijan);

123. Substantially re-consider the punishment related to religious offences (Italy);

124. Actively support programmes strengthening religious freedom and tolerance especially in the run-up to the elections in 2013 (Germany);

125. Take preventive and punitive measures against instigation of religious hatred (Germany);

126. Remove restrictions on accessing internet in the country, which runs counter to the criteria of the ICCPR and the principle of proportionality (The Netherlands);

127. Continue to design and implement growth and job creation programmes targeting the most disfavoured of the population (Mauritania);

128. Continue strengthening its programmes of employment creation, food and assistance to the most vulnerable in the fight against poverty and social inequality (Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of));

129. Intensify development programmes with focus on poverty alleviation and food security (Algeria); 130. Continue to strengthen its efforts in tackling poverty and enhancing access to basic social services such as health and education, especially for those living in rural areas (Bhutan);

131. Continue addressing poverty reduction and social inequality through further development and implementation of relevant programm and policies (Cambodia);

132. Redouble its efforts to maintain continuing progress in fighting poverty (Ecuador);

133. Continue its efforts for a systematic and sustained training process of child as well as developing the Child Protection Management Information System (CPMIS) and advancement in child immunization (Islamic Republic of Iran);

134. Continue its efforts to fight against poverty and illiteracy (Senegal);

135. Continue its efforts to accelerate the achievement of the MDGs targets, particularly those related to health (Turkmenistan)/Continue with its efforts towards the achievement of MDGs, in particular in the area of health of the population (Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of));

136. Continue to work on strengthening access to health care services, particularly for vulnerable groups of society (Bahrain);

137. Implement a sanitation programme in order to eradicate poliomyelitis and tuberculosis which remain public health problems (Djibouti);

138. Take additional measures to facilitate access to health service for all members of society, especially women (Oman);

139. Continue strengthening its efforts to improve the socio-economic conditions of its people especially on promoting the rights to education for all its young citizens (Brunei Darussalam);

140. Strengthen its efforts to combine social security and poverty alleviation measures with the free and compulsory education programme that will enable the provision of the free education for all children (Indonesia);

141. Formulate executive plans for attaining the MDG on primary and free education by 2015 (Libya);

142. Increase its allocation of resources devoted to education (The Netherlands);

143. Continue current efforts to increase the literacy rate and promote universal access to education (Cuba);

144. Continue its efforts to ensure the enrolment of all segments of society in education (Oman);

145. Consider providing universal free primary education to all children, regardless of their sex, nationality, race or ethnic origin (Thailand);

146. Continue to make efforts to expand access to education, especially for girls (Japan);

147. Ensure and allocate sufficient resources for girls’ education in all provinces (Namibia);

148. Review public school curricula in order to eliminate prejudice against religious and other minorities (Germany);

149. Improve the education system and school textbooks and promote the full safeguarding of religious freedom and other human rights by programmes which, beginning in primary school and within the context of religious instruction, will educate everyone to respect their brothers in humanity (Holy See);

150. Take all appropriate measures to combat and prevent discrimination against children belonging to religious or other minority groups, including by removing educational material which could serve to perpetuate discrimination (Ireland);

151. Include human rights education in school curricular (Palestine);

152. Continue with its measures to protect children and improve their access to education (Senegal);

153. Analyze the possibility of adopting the necessary additional measures to combat and prevent discrimination against religious minorities (Argentina);

154. Increase action to tackle violations of religious freedom especially, but not only, against members of religious minorities (Italy);

155. Adopt measures to ensure the protection of religious minorities, including Ahmadis, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs, prevent the abuse of blasphemy legislation, halt forced conversions, and take necessary steps to prevent violence against members of religious minority communities (Canada);

156. Take appropriate, efficient measures to prevent discrimination and violence against religious minorities, bringing instigators to religious violence to justice (Slovakia);

157. Enforce the measures and policies that Pakistan has undertaken to ensure the participation of minorities in an appropriate way in the political life (Libya);

158. Start a national dialogue with the aim of enacting a national IDP policy consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (Austria);

159. Continue its efforts to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable economic and social development so as to allow its people to better enjoy all human rights (China);

160. Achieve MDGs in order to design and implement comprehensive prevention programmes, and address food insecurity and malnutrition by adopting policies at federal and provincial levels to make vaccines mandatory (Djibouti);

161. Continue its efforts to speed-up attaining Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly those related to health (Kuwait); 162. Increase efforts to enhance the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, which will enable the related rights to work, education, health and housing to be enforced (Saudi Arabia);

163. Continue its efforts to combat social inequality and poverty (Kuwait); 164. Continue its efforts to combat terrorism (Kuwait).

165. The recommendation below did not enjoy the support of Pakistan:

166. Halt operations aimed at silencing dissent in Balochistan and ensure laws are fully equally enforced to investigate and prosecute those responsible for torture and enforced disappearances nationwide (United States of America).

167. All conclusions and/or recommendations contained in the present report reflect the position of the submitting State(s) and/or the State under review. They should not be construed as endorsed by the Working Group as a whole.