Australia in Switzerland
Bern and Geneva
Switzerland, Liechtenstein

statement541

Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 18th Session
Universal Periodic Review of Comoros
Statement by Australia

31 January 2013

 

 

Australia recognises the consistent efforts of the Government of Comoros to improve its institutional legal framework for the advancement of human rights.

We welcome the establishment of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (2011) and note several initiatives to promote gender equality. We welcome recent efforts to address trafficking of women and children, including adoption of a comprehensive new labour code that prohibits forced child labour. To further these issues, we recommend Comoros ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (OP-CEDAW) and strengthen institutional capacity at the national and island levels to implement gender equality policies and programmes.

We commend the enactment of an anti-corruption law (2011) and establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (2012) and recommend that Comoros intensifies efforts to fight corruption, including by raising public awareness.

We applaud Comoros for the positive steps made toward the abolition of the death penalty and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. We recommend Comoros ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR.

We are concerned about reports of the irregular application of arrest procedures, the length of detention and prison conditions. Australia recommends that Comorian authorities review the rights of detainees and conditions in local prisons and detention facilities so that they meet international standards, in particular where juvenile offenders are concerned.