Permanent Mission of India, Geneva

Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group

21st Session (19 - 30 January 2015)

2nd UPR of Spain – Interactive Dialogue

Wednesday 21 January 2015, 09:00 am - 12:30 pm

Statement by India

Mr. President,

1. India welcomes the delegation of Spain led by H.E. Mr. Ignacio Ybanez, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

2. Spain’s National Report brings out human rights challenges facing the country, including those relating to asylum, immigration, trafficking, racial profiling and integration. However, there are concerns that recent budget cuts have disproportionately affected welfare programmes for marginalized communities including migrants.

3. We welcome the adoption of the National Strategy for the Social Inclusion of the Gypsy Population. We recommend that enhanced efforts be made to combat discrimination against Roma population to improve their access to education, housing, health and employment. We also recommend the review of the health reforms to ensure health-care services for migrants.

4. We recommend that Spain strengthen the measures to combat violence against women, especially domestic violence.

5. Many UN Treaty bodies have expressed concern at the practice of incommunicado detention. We recommend that the right of individuals to consular access is observed.

6. We would encourage Spain to share information on acts of ethnic profiling and racial discrimination and recommend it to take effective measures to put an end to ethnic and racial profiling.

7. We wish the delegation of Spain all success in its future endeavours.

Thank you Mr. President.

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