Statement by India at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group 28^th Session (6-17 November 2017) : 3rd UPR of Switzerland – Interactive Dialogue. [Geneva, 9 November 2017]

Mr. President, 

1. India welcomes the delegation of Switzerland. 

2. We commend Switzerland for constantly keeping under review the possibility of withdrawing the reservations that it had made upon ratification of a number of international human rights instruments.

3. We have noted that the adoption of an anti-discrimination law in Switzerland has not won parliamentary majority. We therefore recommend that Switzerland intensify its efforts for a new comprehensive legislation on tackling discrimination. 

4. We appreciate the efforts of Switzerland in taking various measures at the level of the Confederation and Cantons to enhance the representation of women, who are still underrepresented, in politics and in the economy. 

5. The adoption of “Old-Age Provision 2020” policy by the Swiss parliament on 17 March 2017 is noteworthy. It focuses on the pension system in order to ensure the system’s financial stability while maintaining the level of benefits. 

6. Efforts of Switzerland to enhance extensive legal protection and other means of providing access to justice for persons in vulnerable situations, including free legal advice and aid are praiseworthy. We recommend that this be extended to persons appealing their conviction.

7. We recommend that Switzerland take measures to explore means to ensure the full implementation of its international human rights obligations by all constituent units of the Swiss Confederation.

8. We wish the delegation of Switzerland all success. 

Thank you Mr. President.