SIERRA LEONE

22nd Session of the UPR

BELARUS

4 May 2015

Mr President,

Sierra Leone welcomes the delegation of Belarus and thanks them for the comprehensive update on their national report.

My delegation acknowledges the progress made by Belarus since its last review in 2010. In particular, we commend Belarus for achieving five of the MDGs, for the creation of a National Plan of Action to Improve the Situation and Protect the Rights of Children (of 2012- 2016), and for the Human Rights Education Plan of Action (2011 - 2015).

Nevertheless, my delegation would also like to urge Belarus to consistently prosecute acts of domestic and sexual violence committed against women and further promote equal access of women to the labour market.

Sierra Leone would like to make the following recommendations:

Ratify the ICPPED and the ICRMW.

Put in place a national human rights institution which is in conformity with the Paris Principles.

Place a moratorium on the death penalty with of view of eradicating it.

Implement policies which guarantee better protection for asylum seekers and refugees.

To conclude, Sierra Leone wishes Belarus a successful completion to this second cycle of its national review process.

Thank you, Mr President.

Utilisateur1

2015-05-04

Valeriano De Castro