Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 17th Session
Universal Periodic Review of the Republic of Congo
30 October 2013
Australia acknowledges the Republic of Congo’s efforts to improve its national human rights framework, through its commitment to ratifying a range of human rights instruments.
We acknowledge that the Republic of Congo has observed a moratorium on the use of the death penalty since 1982. Australia recommends that Congo now abolish the death penalty for all crimes and ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The Australian Government commends the Republic of Congo’s efforts to improve the nation’s water infrastructure with a view to provide all citizens with access to safe drinking water. Australia recommends the Republic of Congo continue to work to reduce the occurrence of water-borne diseases such as cholera, and other infectious diseases.
Australia recognises and welcomes the Republic of Congo’s provision of access to education for every child under 16 years of age under the law of 1995. While we recognise the difficulties involved in providing access to education in rural areas, Australia recommends the Republic of Congo continues to take measures to ensure access to quality education and, in particular, to encourage girls and women to remain in education.