Universal Periodic Review – Bolivia

Intervention by the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Mr. President

The Netherlands would like to thank Bolivia for the introduction of the national report on the human rights situation.

The Netherlands welcomes the fact that the Government of Bolivia has ratified the main international and regional human rights covenants, conventions and protocols, and has a standing invitation to the UN special procedures mechanism. The Netherlands commends Bolivia for supporting the recommendations to uphold and improve the rights of women and girls, and to implement legislation to prevent and punish violence against women.

The Netherlands recommends, in order to achieve a full and effective implementation of the Strategic National Plan on Sexual and Reproductive Health, that the Government of Bolivia mobilizes adequate resources to improve access of women to the justice system.

The Netherlands has taken note of a number of elements in the new children’s law number 548 that strengthen the protection of children. However, we are concerned about the minimum age at which children will be allowed to work under this law. This law seems to be contradictory to the provisions of ILO-convention 138, which has also been ratified by Bolivia.

The Netherlands recommends the Government of Bolivia to take all necessary measures to bring its legislation on child labour in line with international obligations and continue implementing the programmes that provide education facilities for working children.

Thank you, Mr. President

Piebe Hoeksma

2014-10-28

Valeriano De Castro

Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken