Human Rights Council adopts outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Guyana

Human Rights Council
MORNING

2 July 2015

The Human Rights Council this morning adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Guyana. 

Beyon Rodin McDonald, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Guyana in Brussels, said that the Government was determined to refashion the society into one that promoted social cohesion, protected vulnerable groups, secured economic development, provided quality education to youth, protected people from violence and crime, and secured freedom of information.  It noted the recommendation on the death penalty which was still part of the  law in  Guyana, but a moratorium was placed on sentences.  It noted the recommendation on women’s rights and on torture.  It was noted that torture of inmates and detainees was strictly forbidden under the law, and any such cases were expeditiously investigated and perpetrators prosecuted. 

Speakers in the discussion noted significant efforts by Guyana in fighting poverty and ensuring equal access to public services, and welcomed that Guyana had met its objectives regarding free access to primary education.  They welcomed the initiative of Guyana to review the issue of corporal punishment and the draft Juvenile Justice Bill, and said that it was important not to lose sight of emerging issues, including possible exploitation of children in the natural resources and business sector.  Other speakers were disappointed at the lack of response regarding recommendations to repeal the criminalization of consensual adult same-sex activities, and condemned that homophobia was state-sponsored in Guyana, preventing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons from reporting abuses to authorities.

The Council then adopted the Universal Periodic Review of Guyana.

Speaking were: Brazil, China, Cuba, Ghana, India, United Nations Children Fund, and Venezuela.

The following civil society organizations also took the floor: Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Action Canada for Population and Development, and Amnesty International.

At 10 a.m., the Council will start to take action on draft resolutions and decisions.

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Guyana

BEYON RODIN McDONALD, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Guyana in Brussels, drew the Council’s attention to the recent elections which replaced the Government with a multi-party coalition.  The elections were free, fair and transparent.  The Government was committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, and was ready to work with international partners to achieve development for all its citizens.  It was determined to refashion the society into one that promoted social cohesion, protected vulnerable groups, secured economic development, provided quality education to youth, protected people from violence and crime, and secured freedom of information.  As for the Universal Periodic Review recommendations, the Government noted the one on the death penalty.  The death penalty was still part of the law, but a moratorium was placed on sentences.  The death penalty was retained in limited cases, such as murder of police officers.  On women’s rights, it noted the recommendation and was committed to the observance of the rights of women, and had incorporated the relevant international convention into domestic law.  As for the recommendations on torture, it was noted that torture of inmates and detainees was strictly forbidden under the law, and such cases had to be expeditiously investigated and perpetrators prosecuted.  As for enforced disappearances, Guyana had acceded to the relevant international convention.  The crime of genocide was recognized as reprehensible and Guyana was party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.  As a party, it was cognizant of its obligations. 

Guyana also established relevant commissions for the rights of the child, women’s rights, rights of indigenous peoples and the office of the ombudsman.  It would make every effort to protect women and children from conflicts.  Guyana noted the recommendation regarding the rights of lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and intersex persons and would convene a parliamentary session on the issue.  As for the rights of children and corporal punishment, it noted the recommendation and would convene a parliamentary session on the attitude of the Guyanese on the issue.  Corporal punishment was prohibited in institutional residences, and the protection of children was given the highest priority.  An independent organ had been put in place to investigate violations perpetrated by security forces, and Guyana had accepted the relevant recommendation.  As for juvenile justice, the relevant legislation was under review.   Guyana also noted the recommendation on freedom of expression and defamation, and the Government upheld it according to the Constitution and was committed to the modernization of laws.   It accepted the recommendation to improve the quality of education, as well as the one on indigenous people and their quality of life and it had started a consultation process to sign the indigenous peoples’ rights convention.

Brazil recognized with appreciation the advances that had taken place in Guyana, particularly the filling of the vacant post of the Constitutional Ombudsmen and the launching of the Ameridian Act 2006, an important tool to empower the indigenous peoples in the country.  China appreciated the acceptance of the many recommendations, including those made by China to improve education, the water supply and the health infrastructure.  The accepted recommendations should be implemented gradually, with the necessary support of the international community.  Cuba appreciated the acceptance of recommendations made by Cuba to accelerate poverty reduction and gender equality and recommended that the Council adopt the report.  Ghana commended Guyana for initiating steps to ratify a number of international human rights instruments, particularly the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and looked forward to the abolition of corporal punishment and the establishment of a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles.  India took positive note of the receptive and constructive manner in which Guyana participated in the Universal Periodic Review mechanism and trusted that it would accelerate efforts to implement the recommendations it had accepted.  United Nations Children’s Fund welcomed the initiative of Guyana to review the issue of corporal punishment and the draft Juvenile Justice Bill, and said that it was important not to lose sight of emerging issues, including possible exploitation of children in the natural resources and business sector.  Venezuela noted significant efforts by Guyana in fighting poverty and ensuring equal access to public services; it welcomed that Guyana had met its objectives regarding free access to primary education. 

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative called for the implementation of an independent body monitoring police activities, as well as for the establishment of a national human rights institution.  Concerning sexual orientation and gender identity, Guyana was encouraged to continue debates and consultations, hoping that they would lead to a positive outcome.  Action Canada for Population and Development was disappointed at the lack of response regarding recommendations to repeal the criminalization of consensual adult same-sex activities, and condemned that homophobia was State-sponsored in Guyana, preventing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons from reporting abuses to the authorities.  Amnesty International was concerned that death sentences continued to be imposed in Guyana, and urged Guyana to implement all recommendations regarding the death penalty without delay.  It also urged Guyana to ensure that hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity were investigated and prosecuted, and to repeal all legislation criminalizing same sex relations among adults. 

The President said that out of 143 recommendations received, Guyana accepted 88 while 55 had been noted. 

BEYON RODIN McDONALD, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Guyana in Brussels, said that the current Government, which was sworn in office on 10 June, was committed to the human rights of all Guyanese and was working to ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms of all its citizens.

The Council then adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Guyana.

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