Statement delivered at the 18th Session of the UPR Working Group - Review of Vanuatu

 STATEMENT BY MALAYSIA
Review of Vanuatu
18^th Session of the UPR Working Group of the
Human Rights Council

27 January – 7 February 2014

Mr. Vice President,

Malaysia welcomes the delegation of Vanuatu to the 18^th Session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council. We thank them for their presentation of the national report.

2.            Malaysia appreciates the update on the progress made by the Government of Vanuatu on the implementation of the recommendations received in 2009. We take positive note on Vanuatu’s on-going policies and programmes initiated by the Government to further enhance the promotion and protection of human rights of its people, particularly in improving the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities, as well as strengthening its efforts in the areas of heatlh and education.

3.            In particular, we are pleased that Vanuatu, with the assistance of regional organisations, has conducted human rights awareness activities on CEDAW, CRC and CRPD. We therefore recommend that Vanuatu continue its efforts to further improve the awareness on human rights issues and international human rights conventions in Vanuatu, particularly by providing training to government officials. We also note that Vanuatu needs further attention to establish an NHRI in the country. While noting that the Government had appointed an interim National Human Rights Committee, we would like to encourage Vanuatu to intensify its efforts to establish an NHRI, in accordance with the Paris Principles.

4.            Whereas efforts and progress have been made by Vanuatu in the promotion and protection of human rights, my delegation notes that challenges still remain which could hinder the full enjoyment of human rights in the country, particularly due to the lack of capacity and financial resources. In this regard, my delegation supports the request made by Vanuatu in paragraph 93 of its national report for additional technical and financial assistance from the international community for the implementation of human rights conventions.

I thank you.

GENEVA
30 January 2014