Statement by India at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group 29th Session (15-26 January 2018): 3rd UPR of the Republic of Botswana – Interactive Dialogue, delivered by Ms. Mini Devi Kumam, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of India. [Geneva, 17 January 2018] 

Mr. Vice President,

India thanks the delegation of Botswana for the presentation of its National Report.

 2.          We welcome the amendment of the Ombudsman Act for establishing a National Human Rights Institution in the country and the efforts of the Government to develop it as a model on the lines of Paris Principles.

3.         We appreciate the steps taken by Botswana to address the problems of poverty and unemployment with a view to improving the human rights situation in the country. We also appreciate the efforts through various national programmes to empower women and youth and to promote gender equality and entrepreneurship development.

4.       We note the progress in the implementation of the right to health, including the development of a national strategy to combat HIV/AIDS. We however recommend further improvement in the health care infrastructure in Botswana and special attention to awareness raising programmes among women and adolescent girls in rural areas for addressing the challenge of HIV/AIDS.

5.       We encourage Botswana to ensure greater access to legal aid for its people. We recommend strengthening of its domestic criminal legal system in order to effectively investigate and prosecute crimes.

6.         We wish the delegation of Botswana all success.

Thank you Mr. Vice President.