Permanent Mission of India
Geneva

Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group
24th Session (18-29 January 2016)

2ndUPR of Mozambique – Interactive Dialogue
[Tuesday 19th January 2016, 09:00 am - 12:30 pm]

Statement by India

Mr. President,

India extends a warm welcome to the delegation of Mozambique led by H.E. Mr. AbdurremaneLino de Almeida, Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs; and thanks them for the informative presentation on the action taken to implement the recommendations received during its first UPR.

2.            We note with appreciation that Mozambique has managed to implement about 90% of the recommendations received during its first UPR in 2011. It is also heartening to know that signing core international human rights instruments is one of the priorities of Mozambican foreign policy. On the political front, we welcome the regular conduct of elections every 5 years, including the ones held in 2014, as well as the new initiatives taken by the government towards decentralization aimed at improving transparency and accountability of local authorities.

3.            The establishment of the National Human Rights Commission and the election by the Parliament of an Ombudsman in the period since the last UPR are positive development. We commend Mozambique in this regard.

4.            We take note with appreciation of the fact that 40% of parliamentarians in the country are women. We, however, encourage Mozambique to address the vulnerability of women to discrimination under customary law. Over 57% of Mozambique’s population is between 0-19 years of age. We welcome the establishment of the National Council for Children’s Rights as well as the adoption of the National Action Plan for Children. In this regard, we request the delegation to share details of the progress made under the 2nd National Action Plan for Children.

5.            We appreciate Mozambique’s acknowledgement of corruption as a significant impediment to national development. In this regard, we encourage harmonization of Anti-Corruption Law in accordance with its international obligations.

6.            We commend Mozambique for the formulation of its Poverty Action Reduction Plan and would request the delegation for further details regarding its implementation. We also encourage Mozambique to streamline the government targeted food subsidy cash transfer for the vulnerable older people.

7.            Finally, we wish Mozambique all success in its future endeavors.

Thank you Mr. President.

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