Permanent Mission of India

Geneva

UPR WORKING GROUP – NINETEENTH SESSION

[28 April – 9 May 2014]

UPR OF Portugal (30th April 2014)

INTERVENTION BY INDIA

Mr.President,

1.India warmly welcomes the delegation of Portugal led by H.E Mr.Bruno Macaes, Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal. We thank the delegation for its presentation  and the National report, giving an overview of its efforts to implement recommendations accepted during the first cycle of the UPR supplementing its mid-term report submitted in February 2012.

2. We commend Portugal for the establishment of the Portuguese National Human Rights Committee, which has effectively coordinated information sharing on human rights issues, which inter alia resultedin Portugal having no overdue reports.

3. We take note of the adoption of the National Strategy for the integration of Roma Community 2013-2020, comprising 105 measures spanning the areas of education, health, housing, employment, social security etc.  In this regard, India recommends that Portugal ensure that all measures and policies affecting the Roma communities are designed, implemented, monitored and evaluated with their full participation.  We also recommend that sufficient budgetary allocation for the effective implementation of these strategies be ensured. 

4. CERD and Human Rights Committee have expressed concerns about discriminatory conduct and manifestations of racist stereotypes and prejudice towards people of foreign origin by law enforcement officials.  In this regard, we would request the delegation to elaborate on the measures put in place to prevent such conduct by law enforcement personnel and hold them accountable.

5. We note with appreciation the steps taken by Portugal to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings, including the ongoing Third National Plan 2014-2017.  Werecommendthat Portugal redouble its efforts with a focus on trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation and special focus on trafficking in children.

6. We note the report’s acknowledgement of the challengesin paragraph 120.  In this regard, we would request the delegation to elaborate on its Social Emergency Plan of October 2011 and whether the plan deals with the disproportionate negative impacts of austerity measures on the poorest and vulnerable groups such as the Roma communities, immigrants and children.

Thank you Mr. President.

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