Statement by India at the 45th Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group (22 Jan – 2 Feb 2024) for the 4th UPR of the Malta delivered by Mr. K.S.Mohammed Hussain, First Secretary on 31 January 2024
Mr. President,
India extends a warm welcome to the delegation of Malta.
2. We are happy to see the progress made by Malta since its previous UPR. We commend its action in implementing the Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disability, leading to a National Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disability; Extension of the Free Childcare Scheme to support childcare centres opening in the evening or at night providing flexibility to shift workers; and amendment in the Criminal Code, decriminalizing abortion, when the woman’s life was at immediate risk.
3. In the spirit of constructive cooperation, we recommend following to Malta:
i. Expedite work on establishing a national human rights institution in compliance with the Paris Principles for the promotion and protection of human rights.
ii. Reform its Freedom of Information Act, as recommended by UNESCO, to ensure the right to access information of public interest held by public authorities.
4. We wish Malta all success.
Thank you, Mr. President.
