Greece's Interventions to the 22nd Session of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council

UPR 22nd   Session
(Geneva, 07.05.15)
Review of Bulgaria
Intervention by Greece

Thank you Mr President,

Greece wishes to warmly welcome the Bulgarian delegation and to congratulate them upon the significant progress achieved in the enhancement of the already existing solid institutional framework, particularly through the work of the Commission for Protection against Discrimination and the Ombudsman, regarding the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, since the first UPR cycle. We particularly commend the practice of establishing Working Groups on the follow-up process of the UPR recommendations, as  bringing special added value to the purposes of this mechanism. Therefore, Greece recommends Bulgaria to continue spreading best practices in this field.

Greece also appreciates the progress achieved in the field of promoting  equal opportunities between men and women. We welcome recent amendments  strengthening the competences of the national Council on Gender Equality and regular multi-stakeholder public campaigns and initiatives aimed at raising awareness on domestic violence, and we recommend taking further positive actions in the above areas as well.

Thank you Mr President

UPR 22nd   Session
Review of Libya
(Geneva, 13.05.15)
Intervention by Greece

Thank you Mr President,

Greece welcomes the Libyan Delegation and believes that their presence here today bears testimony to the fact that the UPR mechanism is useful in helping them confront the ongoing serious challenges the country faces in the field of human rights. We would first of all like to use this opportunity to recognize the necessity of continued efforts so as to ensure success of the national dialogue aiming to a political consensus, as promoted by Mr Bernardino Leon, in the framework of the UN. We   express our solidarity to the Libyan people. A people confronted with an armed conflict that is not only exacerbating the security and political situation in the country, but also, regrettably increasing the death toll of those attempting to cross the Mediterranean.
Greece has the following recommendations:

-    That Libya, strengthens its cooperation with UNSMIL and OHCHR, in order  to resume capacity building of national  institutions dealing with human rights, transitional justice and the rule of law, according to its Government’s expressed wishes.
-    That Libya lift all reservations to the Convention to End All Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and allowwomen’s participation in all tracks of the national concord government formation process, as well as in decision-making positions.
-    That Libya investigates the killings of journalists since October 2011 and brings perpetrators to justice.

In this vein, our country endorses the UN Secretary-General’s recommendations on formalizing the role of UNHCR, thus contributing in curbing  mixed migration movements towards Europe.

Thank you Mr President

UPR 22nd   Session
(Geneva, 12.05.15)
Review Croatia
Intervention by Greece

Thank you Mr President,

We would like to warmly welcome the Delegation of the Republic of Croatia to the 22nd UPR Session and to congratulate it on the progress achieved in the field of human rights, since the 1st UPR cycle.

We note with appreciation several developments  with regard to the rights of women, in particular the "Gender Equality Act" and the "Development Strategy for female entrepreneurship 2014 - 2020". Furthermore, we commend  the activities of the State to increase the representation of women, as described in the national report.

Additionally, we commend the Republic of Croatia for the developments on the rights of children and the "National Strategy on the Rights of Children 2014-2020"  adopted last year as well as the efforts of the State to promote the rights of children with disabilities.

Greece recommends Croatia:

- To take further steps to ensure and enhance women's rights in all levels.
- To take all necessary measures to lift all existing barriers in the enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities, with particular attention to their right to live independently, to have access to adequate health care services and to be integrated in the community.

Finally, we would like to wish every success to the Delegation of the Republic of Croatia in their constant efforts to further enhance the protection of human rights in their country.

Thank you Mr President.

UPR 22nd   Session
(Geneva, 06.05.15)
Review Maldives
Intervention by Greece

Thank you Mr. President,

We would like to welcome the Delegation of the State of Maldives to the 22nd UPR Session and note with appreciation the progress achieved in promoting human rights. We welcome the positive actions taken by the Government to implement UPR recommendations since its first UPR cycle and note with appreciation the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, eight fundamental ILO Conventions and the adoption of the Anti-Torture Act in 2013.

We commend the State of Maldives on the preparation of the draft gender equality law which seeks to increase compliance of domestic legislation with CEDAW and increase women’s participation in all spheres.

We would also like to express our appreciation on the Government’ s ratification of the Right to Information Act in 2014 which led to the establishment of a commissioner of Information and installed information officers in government offices to promote good governance and transparency.

Greece would like to make the following recommendations:

1)    To strengthen efforts in implementing the rights and obligations towards the empowerment of women found in CEDAW.
2)    To withdraw the reservation to Article 18 of the ICCPR
3)    To strengthen efforts to protect the freedom of expression, including safety of journalists.

Finally, we would like to wish every success to the Delegation of Maldives in their ongoing efforts to further protect and promote human rights in their country. We wish them a successful UPR.

Thank you Mr. President