Statement by India at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group 40^th Session (24 January – 04 February 2022) : 3rd UPR of Haiti - Interactive Dialogue, delivered by Ms. Seema Pujani, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India [Geneva, 31 January 2022]

Mr. President,

We warmly welcome the presentation by the delegation of Haiti.

2. 2.We commend Haiti for its efforts to promote and protect human rights since the last review in 2016 despite the devastating natural disasters, such as the August 2021 earthquake; the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the unfortunate death of President Moïse. We note with appreciation the adoption of the Ten-Year Plan for Education and Training (PDEF 2020-2030), National Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons 2017-2022 and the National Plan to Combat Violence against Women and Girls 2017-2027.

3.In the spirit of constructive cooperation, India recommends the following to Haiti:

1. Consider strengthening the National Human Rights institutional framework, in accordance with the Paris Principles;
2. Continue with measures for promoting gender equality and combatting gender-based violence, including by ensuring access to safe reproductive health services; and,
3. Consider further measures for promotion and protection of children’s rights by ensuring access to education and increasing the legal age of marriage for boys and girls to 18 years or more.

4. 4.We wish the delegation of Haiti all the success in its review.

Thank you, Mr. President.