Permanent Mission of India, Geneva

Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group
21st Session (19-30 January 2015)

2nd UPR of Guyana - Interactive Dialogue
Wednesday, 28 January 2015, 09:00 am - 12:30 pm

Statement by India

Mr. President,

1. India extends a very warm welcome to the delegation of Guyana led by H.E. Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and thanks them for the informative presentation on the action taken to implement the recommendations received during its first UPR.

Mr. President,

2. We commend the fact that, despite resource constraints, Guyana has been able to achieve socio-economic development and advance the enjoyment of human rights by its people. Guyana's continued commitment to HR is evident from its accession to the remaining core international human rights treaties including the two optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of Child (CRC), and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). We welcome the appointment of the Ombudsman Office, the establishment of sectoral commissions on child rights, women and gender equality and indigenous people and reforms to improve the administration of justice. We recommend Guyana to consider establishing a National Human Rights Institution in conformity with the Paris Principles.

3. Guyana's efforts at reducing poverty and hunger are praiseworthy. Guyana has made significant progress in the development of a national food and nutritional strategy and action plan that contained provisions relating to the right to food. We would like to request the delegation to share more details on these efforts and hope that their early implementation is prioritized.

4. We welcome the positive measures taken by Guyana to protect the rights and interests of children, including enactment of the Childcare and Development Services Act 2011, the establishment of the Childcare and Protection Agency; and the various campaigns against abuse of children. We commend the enhancement of resources for education in the 2014 National Budget. We encourage Guyana to develop a comprehensive national strategy to further promote children's rights.

5. Guyana has also taken a number of progressive steps to advance gender equality, increase women's participation in public life and combat violence against women. The representation of women in the parliament has reached 32% in 2012, which is commendable. We also welcome the enactment of the Sexual Offences Act of 2010. We commend Guyana's efforts at combating human trafficking. We encourage Guyana to continue to pursue efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women and improve their access to health and education.

6. We wish the delegation of Guyana all successes in its future endeavors.

Thank you Mr. President.

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