Statement by India at the 2nd UPR of Honduras during the 22nd Session of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group, Geneva, 8 May 2015 Statement by India at the 2nd UPR of Honduras during the 22nd Session of the Universal Periodic Revi..

Statement by India at the 2nd UPR of Honduras during the 22nd Session of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group, Geneva, 8 May 2015

Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group

22ndSession (04-15 May 2015)

2nd UPR of Honduras– Interactive Dialogue

Friday, 8 May 2015, 09:00 am - 12:30 pm

Statement by India

Mr. President,

1. India warmly welcomes the delegation of Honduras led by H.E. Dr. Jorge Ramon Hernandez Alcerro, Secretary of State and General Coordinator and thanks the delegation for its presentation.

 

Mr. President,

2. We commendthe adoption of the Public Policy and National Action Plan on Human Rights (2013-22), a first of its kind in Honduran history. We welcome the creation of a ministerial portfolio for human rights in September 2010 as well as amending of the Criminal Code to bring it in line with international human rights standards.We encourage Honduras to continue its efforts towards making its national human rights institution fully compliant with the Paris Principles.

 

3. We encourage Honduras to continue its cooperation with various UN human rights mechanisms as well as cooperation with Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The opening of the OHCHR’s country office later this year will be a welcome development.

 

4. Wewelcome the acceptance by Honduras of the need to improve the effectiveness of criminal investigations and to fight impunity with regard to drug trafficking and organized crime in the country.We note with appreciation that legislative measures are underway for protection of human rights defenders, journalists, social communicators and justice officials. We also welcome the amendments to the Code on Children and Adolescents as well as the Family Code in 2013 to enhance access to justice for women and children.

 

5. The National Report details the various steps taken to expand participatory democracy. We would encourage Honduras to continue working towards strengthening of the Public Information Institute by training of officials involved in information dissemination. We welcome the adoption of the new Education Act and hope for its wide implementation. The 2013 judgment by the apex Court in Honduras regarding right to healthcare in public hospitals is a positive development.

 

6. We welcome the adoption of the National Health Plan (2014-18) and commend the progress achieved in immunization for children. High coverage of the school meals programme is also commendable. We would request the delegation to share more information about the Presidential Programme on Health, Education and Nutrition involving cash transfers to households.

 

7. We note with appreciation the adoption of the National Plan to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (2014-22) and encourage the government to continue combating social exclusion of indigenous peoples and the Afro-Honduran community. The National Report refers to the issue of unaccompanied child migrants to the US. We would request the delegation to share with us some more information on this matter.

 

8. We wish the Honduran delegation all success in its current and future endeavors.

 

Thank you Mr. President.

***********