Statement by India - UPR of Angola (30 October 2014) Statement by India - UPR of Angola (30 October 2014)

Statement by India - UPR of Angola (30 October 2014)

Permanent Mission of India, Geneva

Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group

20th Session (27 October – 7 November 2014)

2nd Review of Angola under UPR – Interactive Dialogue

30 October 2014 - 1430-1800 hrs

Statement by India

Mr. President,

1. India welcomes the delegation of Angola led by H.E. Mr. RuiMangueira, Minister of Justice and Human Rights and thanks the delegation for the informative presentation and its National Report.

 

2. We welcome the broad range ofmeasures taken by Angola to strengthenits institutional and human rights infrastructure since the consolidation of the peace process and the adoption of the new Constitution. Angola has demonstrated its consistent commitment to human rights by signing/ratifying a number of human rights instruments in a short span of time and promptly responding to requests for visits by Special Procedures.

 

3. An independent National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) can further promote respect for human rights laws and monitor their effective implementation. We recommendthat Angola actively consider establishing a full-fledged NHRI in line with the Paris Principles.

 

4. We commend Angola’s efforts towards consolidation of the democratic process. We encourage Angola to expand the participation of civil society, including media, in all policy processes.

 

5. We appreciate the steps taken by Government of Angola, including the work being carried out by the Judicial Commission, to strengthen the independence of judiciary and reform the justice system. We recommendthat Angola accelerate the process of judicial reformswith a view to ensure access to justice, especially to women and other vulnerable sections of the society.

 

6. The National Policy for Gender Equality and Equity of 2013 is a step forward in integrating gender issues at the central, local and institutional levels and recommend that Angola devote adequate human and financial resources for its effective implementation.

 

7. We are encouraged by the multi-sectoral approach adopted by Angola to reduce poverty including the integrated rural development programmefor 2012-2017. We particularly appreciate the massive increase in budget allocations for social security programmes and the emphasis given to universalization of basic health and education facilities.

 

8. We wish Angola all success in itseffort to promote fundamental rights and achieve long-term development goals of “Angola 2025”.

 

I thank you.

 

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