30th Meeting - 60th Session of Human Rights Council Human Rights Council Date: 26 September 2025 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/hrc/60/30 Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- HRC · Vice-President [0:01]: Excellencies, distinguished participants, I hereby declare open the 30th meeting of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council. We will continue this afternoon with the considerations of the outcome of Kenya. I will now resume with the list of Member and Observer States for their comments on the outcome of the review. The next speaker is Singapore. Singapore [0:33]: Madam Vice-President, Singapore congratulates the delegation of the Republic of Kenya on its fourth Universal Periodic Review. We commend Kenya for its engagement with the UPR process and its consideration of the various recommendations put forward by delegations. We thank Kenya for accepting both our recommendations, First, to continue to strengthen its efforts to facilitate women's participation in public life, including in leadership positions. Second, to continue to enhance its efforts to provide universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation for its people. Singapore supports the adoption of the Working Group's report on Kenya's UPR. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:25]: Thank you. The next speaker is Tunisia. Tunisia [1:29]: Thank you, Vice President. We'd. Very much like to extend a welcome to the distinguished delegation of Kenya, and thank you for submitting your report. We express our satisfaction. that it has accepted most of the recommendations, and we welcome the fact that they accepted our recommendations, namely, continue efforts to promote women's rights, to continue efforts to promote employment and economic opportunities for young people, and thirdly, to continue efforts to combat trafficking in persons and to rehabilitate victims. We would like to say that The Government of Kenya has harmonized its national human rights legislation with international treaties, and we pay tribute to the important reforms that have been adopted in the security and justice sectors. We wish every success to Kenya in the implementation of the accepted recommendations, and we recommend that the Council adopts the report. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:31]: Thank you. The next speaker is UN Women. UN Women [2:35]: Thank you, Ms. Vice President. UN Women commends the Government of Kenya for its continued commitment to advancing gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. To further accelerate progress, UN Women offers the following observations. We welcome the progress in women's representation in Parliament and the report of the Multi-Sectoral Working Group on the not more than two-thirds gender principle. UN Women urges expedited implementation of Articles 27 and 81 of the Constitution through legislation. Enforcing the two-thirds gender rule is essential to addressing systemic gender imbalances and promoting inclusive leadership. We also welcome the Presidential Technical Working Group report on gender-based violence, including femicide, and its recommendations to strengthen institutional, legal and policy responses. We further recognize the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act as an important step in expanding protection for survivors. UN Women supports enhanced enforcement through training of police, magistrates, and health providers, investments in public education, and empowerment and recovery of survivors through socioeconomic reintegration. Finally, UN Women reaffirms its readiness to continue supporting the government of Kenya in accelerating gender equality and advancing the implementation of UPR recommendations. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [3:56]: Thank you. The next speaker is UNDP. The next speaker is UN-Habitat. UN-Habitat [4:13]: UN-Habitat congratulates Kenya on its affordable housing program and its acceptance of recommendation 54, 105. We encourage Kenya to expand the public and social housing stock and to continue to support complementary efforts, including through access to land, preferential finance and appropriate technical assistance and support through physical planning. UN-Habitat appreciates Kenya's acceptance of recommendations on the rights to water and sanitation, particularly those for those in informal settlements, encouraging the further development of well-regulated water operators with sufficient public support to prioritize services to low-income and rural households and to achieve universal service objectives is essential. Kenya has high legal standards for rights related to evictions and forced evictions, reflecting the recommendations of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. However, implementation of these standards is challenging, and we encourage the government to work with all relevant authorities to respect tenure rights, including informal tenure where appropriate, and protect against forced evictions. UN-Habitat welcomes Kenya's commitment to addressing the land-related grievances of indigenous communities. The Community Land Act and the work of the National Land Commission on historical injustices provide a good foundation. We note that while progress has been made in recognizing women's and girls' rights to inheritance and marital property, continued efforts towards cultural change in this regard will be required to achieve equity. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [5:43]: I give the floor to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [5:48]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. We wish to thank Kenya for supporting two of the UK's three recommendations. We particularly welcome the presidential assent to the Conflict of Interest Bill in July. We encourage its swift and effective implementation through initially passing the conflict of interest regulations. We also encourage continued efforts to address corruption and illicit finance practices, such as implementing whistleblower protections. These steps are vital for safeguarding Kenya's economy and enhancing public trust in its institutions. We reiterate the importance of fully. Operationalizing the National Coroners Service Act 2017 to ensure independent and transparent investigations into suspicious, violent, or unexplained deaths. We urge Kenya to prioritize the establishment of the coroner service and allocate the necessary resources. We recognize Kenya's ongoing efforts to advance inclusive representation and encourage further progress to meet the two-thirds gender principle. We hope to see meaningful reforms that enable the full participation of women in elective and appointed bodies. Particularly ahead of the 2027 elections. We look forward to continuing our constructive engagement and reflecting on Kenya's progress at the next review. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [7:04]: Thank you. I now give the floor to United Republic of Tanzania. United Republic of Tanzania [7:10]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. The United Republic of Tanzania welcomes the delegation of Kenya. We thank the delegation for the updates of its review and commend Kenya's cooperation with the mechanisms of the Human Rights Council. We further commend Kenya for the 233 recommendations it has agreed to support, as well as the commitment to promote and protect human rights in the country. We wish the delegation of Kenya success in implementation of the accepted recommendations. Madam Vice President, thank you. HRC · Vice-President [7:50]: Thank you. This was the last speaker we could accommodate. Let me remind you that all statements, including those which could not be delivered due to time constraints, should be uploaded online. I will now give the floor to the other stakeholders to make their general comments on the outcome. The speaking time has been set at two minutes for all. The first speaker is the joint statement from Edmund Rice International Limited in person. Edmund Rice International [8:29]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Edmund Rice International, VIVAT International and partners commend the constructive participation of Kenya in its fourth UPR and its support for 233 of the 339 recommendations received. We commend the progress made since its previous UPR in ratifying core international human rights instruments and encourage it to ratify those remaining. We commend Kenya for supporting recommendations to continue to expand social protection coverage for all populations. We encourage it to ensure this protection, including unemployment benefits and health coverage, is extended to residents of informal settlements who are particularly vulnerable to economic insecurity. We commend Kenya's acceptance of recommendations to ensure access to education for all children and to protect and promote their rights. Education for children in informal settlements continues to be constrained with inadequate infrastructure and trained teachers. We commend Kenya for enacting the Persons with Disabilities Act in March 2025 and its commitment to the full inclusion of people with disability. We welcome its acceptance of recommendations to continue to strengthen supports and access for all people with disabilities, including those living in informal settlements, and protect their rights. We commend Kenya's development of the National Access Plan for addressing adolescent health and teenage pregnancy, and call on Kenya to invest in teacher training programs to ensure accurate, appropriate, effective delivery of comprehensive sexuality education curriculum with a focus on healthy relationships. Finally, we encourage Kenya to take proactive action before its next UPR to make progress on the recommendations that are supported and continue its efforts to improve access to all services, particularly for those who are vulnerable, people with disabilities and people living in informal settlements. We also encourage Kenya to continue to work towards the abolition of the death penalty. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [10:35]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Centre for Reproductive Rights by video. Center for Reproductive Rights [10:41]: Mr. President, while the Center for Reproductive Rights welcomes Kenya's acceptance of several recommendations on reproductive rights, we regret that Kenya has not supported key or specific recommendations on access to abortion, nor on access to sexual and reproductive health services and information for adolescents. The Kenyan Constitution enshrines the right to access reproductive health services and permits abortion where there is a need for emergency treatment or there is risk to the life or health of the mother. However, the penal code continues to impose a blanket ban on abortion, leading to Kenyan women and girls seeking abortion facing harassment, wrongful arrest, and prosecution. Healthcare providers are reluctant to provide abortion care due to fear of arrest and prosecution. Consequently, such care remains inaccessible, forcing women and girls to resort to unsafe abortions. Adolescents and girls in Kenya continue to face key barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health services and information. The Children Act imposes a mandatory parental or guardian consent requirement for children, including adolescents, to access reproductive health services. In 2023, Kenya withdrew from the East and Southern Africa ministerial commitments to comprehensive sexuality education, representing a weakening of regional efforts towards the realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights. The withdrawal took place in a context where the prevalence of teenage pregnancy amongst adolescents aged 15 to 19 years was already a worrying 15%. The failure of Kenya to provide access to sexual and reproductive health services and information to adolescents has led to new HIV infections. We encourage Kenya to decriminalize abortion and take measures to enhance access to sexual and reproductive health information and services for adolescents. Without this, the state will fail to implement the recommendations it has accepted to reduce maternal mortality, promote and protect sexual and reproductive health and rights, and ensure access to sexual and reproductive health services, and seriously undermine its health outcomes. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [12:33]: Thank you. I now give the floor to a joint statement from IIMA. IIMA [12:41]: IIMA, on behalf of this NGO coalition, commends Kenya for its constructive engagement in its fourth UPR. On the right to education, we welcome the acceptance of recommendations 54.137, 141, and 161 to enhance access to quality education and digital tools. Limited internet coverage and insufficient digital literacy continue to undermine children's learning opportunities. We call on Kenya to strengthen energy infrastructures and to improve access to affordable internet and digital technologies and learning. Accordingly, we welcome the acceptance of recommendations 54.78 and .203 on protecting children from violence, especially online. However, we remain concerned about the high risks of gross human rights violations to which young people are exposed online. We urge Kenya to ensure comprehensive digital literacy programs, especially for girls and young women, on how to use the internet safely and report abuses. Moreover, while welcoming the acceptance of recommendations 54.186 and 0.207, we report that violence against women and children continues to be one of the main challenges in Kenya. We regret that Kenya only took note of recommendation 56.88, and we urge Kenya to invest in prevention programs, ensure adequate psychosocial support for victims, and promote the reintegration of children into their families whenever possible. Finally, we welcome the acceptance of several recommendations on the right to health, but we regret that no specific mention of mental health was made. We recommend Kenya to particularly raise awareness and to develop effective policies on mental health issues affecting young people, including in remote areas. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [14:35]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Director Conic Axion. DKA Austria [14:42]: DKA Austria and its partner organizations in Kenya commend the participation of Kenya in the UPR. We welcome the acceptance of recommendation 54.137 to continue efforts to strengthen access to quality education, particularly in rural areas. However, we remain deeply concerned that the competency-based curriculum continues to disproportionately exclude children from rural areas due to barriers such as limited digital access. We call on the Government of Kenya to urgently develop and implement strategies ensuring access to quality education for all children, including by addressing the digital divide. We commend the acceptance of recommendation 54.25 to continue efforts in mainstreaming gender equality, particularly by promoting participation of women in decision-making. Nevertheless, we remain concerned that Kenya has merely noted recommendation 56.80, despite evidence by UN Women showing that women only hold 10.6% of elected positions in the country. We urge the government of Kenya to immediately adopt and implement strategies to enhance women's political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections. We welcome the acceptance of recommendation 54.44 to conduct impartial investigations into the excessive use of force against protesters. However, we regret that Kenya has only noted recommendations 56.70 and 56.78. We call on Kenya to undertake prompt, transparent and independent investigations into cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, and to ensure that perpetrators are held fully accountable in accordance with the law. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [16:42]: Thank you. I now give the floor to International Planned Parenthood Federation. IPPF [16:47]: Sexual reproductive health rights thematic group in Kenya appreciates the government of Kenya engagement in the fourth UPR and its acceptance of key SRHR recommendations. We commend its commitment to reducing maternal mortality, strengthening HIV response, enhancing mental health management, promoting universal health coverage, and ensuring SRH services for women, girls, and marginalized groups. We appreciate the emphasis on ending harmful practices like FGM by engaging communities and religious leaders to address stigma. However, commitment now need urgent action. Kenya still faces high maternal deaths, many teenage pregnancies, and unequal access to family planning and safe abortion services. Without clear budgets, proper implementation plans, and effective monitoring, the accepted recommendations may only remain to be on paper. Passing sanitary towel bill, removing taxes on menstrual products, and investing in menstrual health are urgent steps that will directly improve the dignity, health, and education of women and girls. We are concerned that Kenya noted instead of key recommendations on decriminalizing abortion, adoption of comprehensive sexuality education, and decriminalizing same-sex relations. These issues are important to the health, safety, and rights of all Kenyans. The current restrictive laws expose women to unsafe abortion, deny young people the information they need, and fuel stigma, discrimination, and violence against the LGBTQI community. We therefore ask the government of Kenya to, one, ensure accepted SRHR recommendations have costed implementation plans, clear accountability frameworks, both national and county levels. Remove barriers to safe abortion and comprehensive obstetric in line with the constitution and international human rights. Integrate CSE in and out of school so that young people can make informed choices. Kenya has demonstrated leadership in adopting progressive health policies in the past, such as its commitment to UHC and eliminating of FGM. We call on the government to take bold, right-based action to ensure that all Kenyans can fully enjoy their right to health. HRC · Vice-President [18:49]: I now give the floor to East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project by video. EHAHRDP [18:56]: Mr. President, we welcome Kenya's acceptance of 233 out of 339 recommendations it received, but flag minimal rate of acceptance at 69%. We regret Kenya's rejection of a recommendation on adoption of the comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation offered by Cameroon. On the positive side, we welcome the government's acceptance of recommendations on the following: investigations, which include recommendations to investigate extrajudicial executions and forced disappearances and excessive use of force, and to conduct investigation into excessive use of force against protesters; two, on civic space, which includes recommendations on bringing legislation and practices governing peaceful assembly into conformity with the ICCPR and on respecting the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and taking concrete measures to protect human rights defenders. We are concerned, however, about the disconnect between the official discourse and the practice. The government prioritized broad, vague recommendations over specific action-oriented ones. To take two examples, the government noted a recommendation to establish independent mechanism to investigate violence against peaceful protesters. It also refused to fully implement the National Coroners Service Act of 2017. This leads us to question the authorities' commitment to ensuring full accountability. In a context in which 2024 protests against a finance bill, protests that took place a year later, were met with brutal force, resulting in killings and the use of terrorism-related charges against protesters. Kenya's membership in the Human Rights Council should be an opportunity to reconsider its position on rejected recommendations, but more fundamentally, to change course and uphold its citizens' rights. We thank you. Mr. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [20:59]: I now give the floor to International Federation for Human Rights Leagues. FIDH [21:06]: FIDH and the Kenyan Human Rights Commission are deeply concerned by Kenya's reluctance to commit to fundamental protections during this UPR cycle. Kenya noted its highest number of recommendations to date, among which were critical calls to reform punitive laws affecting people with HIV, to decriminalize abortion, to expand reproductive health services, and to remove barriers for LGBTQ+ minorities. This rejection comes amid one of the gravest human rights crises since independence. In 2024, the Missing Voices Coalition documented 159 extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, an unprecedented surge. The Independent Medical Legal Unit recorded over 600 cases of police torture. Most victims were young Kenyans, many engaged in peaceful Gen Z protests in May and June last year. The government's violent response to these demonstrations claimed at least 65 lives, with mass arrests, abductions, and torture, yet accountability remains absent. Civil society itself has also come under attack. In July 2025, state-sponsored groups assaulted mothers at the KHRC offices on the eve of protests. Security forces have engaged in coordinated abductions, unlawful detention, and torture, ignoring urgent appeals from the UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances, among others. Kenya's trajectory from its last UPR in 2020 to rejecting key reforms in 2025 marks a systematic regression. FIDH calls on Kenya to reverse this course by engaging meaningfully with civil society in the implementation of its UPR recommendations, including in consideration of those recommendations it is currently noted. FIDH further urges states to monitor Kenya's implementation of its UPR recommendations, particularly regarding accountability for law enforcement officials and investigations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Kenya's youth demanded justice and were met with violence, and when civil society sought accountability, it was met with repression. It is essential that Kenya now take concrete action to reverse this backsliding on human rights. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [22:55]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Peace Brigades International. PBI [23:02]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. We deliver this intervention on behalf of the stakeholders coalition UPR Kenya. We welcome Kenya's engagement in its fourth UPR cycle and note progress on climate action, business and human rights, and social protection. However, serious human rights challenges remain. Despite legal reforms, extrajudicial killings and forced disappearance, torture, and excessive use of force by security agents persist. Implementation of the Prevention of Torture Act and the National Coroner Service Act remains slow with weak accountability. Femicide, sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation remain widespread. Technology facilitated gender-based violence is increasing and demands stronger legal protection, enforcement and survival support. Freedom of expression, assembly, and association are undermined by restrictive laws, harassment of human rights defenders and journalists, and excessive policing of protests, with the proposed assemblies and demonstration bill threatening constitutional guarantees. Barriers to safe abortion, sexuality education, services for marginalized groups, including LGBTIQ+ persons, persist and contravene international standards. Kenya has yet to ratify the Convention on Enforced Disappearance, the second Optional Protocol on the Death Penalty, and the Convention on Migrant Workers. We urge the government to fully implement UPR recommendations, ensure robust follow-up with civil society participation, and adopt legislative policy and budgetary measures that protect all Kenyans without discrimination. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [24:37]: I now give the floor to Minority Rights Group by video. MRG [24:42]: Mr. President, Minority Rights Group and the Endorois Welfare Council welcome Kenya's stated intention to address the long-standing grievances of indigenous communities such as the Endorois, Wokeek and the people of Mbotutu. And to resolve long-standing issues, we strongly support the recommendation made by Zambia and Sweden in that regard. However, we remain gravely concerned by the ongoing failure to implement binding decisions from the African Commission and the African Court of Human and People's Rights, and by continuing forced and violent evictions of indigenous communities from their ancestral lands. In 2010, the African Commission found that the indigenous Endorhiz community eviction from Lake Bogoria violated multiple charter rights. 15 years later, Kenya has still not implemented that decision. Similarly, in 2017 and 2022, the African Court issued a twin judgment affirming the indigenous Ogiek people's land and cultural rights in the Mau Forest. Yet these rulings remain unimplemented. Two years ago, over 700 Ogiek were forcibly evicted in direct breach of the court's orders. We acknowledge Kenya's participation in the African Court public implementation hearing in June, a historic moment for the African human rights system. However, we remain concerned that no progress has been made on the ground regarding implementation of the Court's orders. Consultations with the OGEK remain superficial, task forces are ineffective, and evictions continue. We urge Kenya government to fully implement the African Court and Commission decision in close consultation with the Ogiek and Endorhiz communities, immediately to halt all forced evictions and operationalize the Community Land Act. HRC · Vice-President [26:42]: Thank you. I now give the floor to COC Nederland by video. COC Nederland [26:49]: President, my name is Caroline Ruka. This statement is drafted in consultation with the Kenya Human Rights Platform, a coalition of over 50 SoGEs, CSOs and key population networks. We extend our sincere gratitude to member states that presented 12 crucial UPR recommendations to Kenya, addressing the human rights of SoGEs, minorities and key populations. We also commend the Kenyan government for its vote to renew the mandate of the independent experts on SoGE, a step that signals a commitment to human rights obligations. However, we must express our profound disappointment with the response of the government. Their official position fails to adequately reflect the recommendations made by this council. We view this as a failure of responsibility and a missed opportunity to genuinely address the systemic discrimination and escalating violence faced by our communities, which denies us access to justice and essential services. In light of this, we urge the government of Kenya to take three concrete steps. First, remove all discriminatory barriers to healthcare and ensure the full and equal inclusion of SOGIESC persons and key populations in UHC frameworks. Second, adopt gender transformative and inclusive disaster risk management policy that explicitly address the specific vulnerabilities of all marginalized groups, including SOGIESC persons. all phases of disaster preparedness and response, enact evidence-based equality and non-discrimination legislation that explicitly prohibits violence and discrimination based on SOGIESC. To ensure accountability, this legislation must be supported by systemic collection of disaggregated data. Finally, we call upon all CSOs, this Council and Member States to provide technical and financial support to Kenya to assist the urgent implementation of these measures, the dignity, safety and human rights of persons of diverse SOGIESC and keep populations depend on it. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [28:37]: Thank you. This was the last speaker we could accommodate. Before giving the floor to the delegation of Kenya for concluding remarks, allow me to inform that out of 339 recommendations received, 233 enjoy the support of Kenya, and 106 are noted. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Chep Moi II for concluding remarks. Excellency, you have the floor. Kenya [29:08]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. On behalf of the government of Kenya and my delegation, I extend sincere gratitude to you, Madam President, for your steadfast leadership and guidance through this adoption process. Your dedication to upholding the principles of human rights through constructive dialogue has been invaluable. I also wish to express our appreciation to the Troika members, Morocco, Kuwait, and Georgia, along with the UPR Working Group and the Secretariat for their diligent efforts in preparing and presenting this report. Their commitment to ensuring a thorough, transparent, and meaningful review process reflects the spirit of collaboration that defines the Universal Periodic Review mechanism. Kenya remains deeply grateful to all member states who participated in this review, engaging in open and productive discussions about our human rights commitments. We welcome the recommendations made and recognize their significance in strengthening human rights protection for all Kenyans. Our review on May 1, 2025, provided an opportunity for Kenya to receive constructive and insightful feedback, reinforcing our determination to uphold fundamental human rights principles. We take all comments and recommendations made in good faith, fully aware that this contribution will enrich and improve the human rights situations in Kenya. The exchange of perspective and best practices strengthens our collective resolve to promote dignity, fairness, and justice for all. We are proud of our progress, mindful of our challenges, and committed to the journey ahead. Madam Vice President, Kenya recognizes that the Universal Periodic Review process is not just an assessment, but also about action. The successful implementation of these recommendations will require a robust institutional framework, strengthened accountability mechanisms, and the participation of all sectors of the society. Kenya remains committed to translating these recommendations into tangible outcomes that enhance human rights protection across our country. Madam Vice President, in reaffirming our dedication, I wish to underscore the unwavering commitment of our government and the people of Kenya to continue promoting, respecting, and fulfilling human rights obligations. Our shared values and collective aspirations drive us towards ensuring that human rights remain central to our national development agenda. Following the adoption, Kenya will embark on the critical phase of implementation, a task that requires continued engagement, resource allocation, and unwavering dedication from all stakeholders. Kenya will keep the Council informed of its progress through a mid-term report, outlining key achievements, challenges, and ongoing measures to ensure compliance with the commitments under the TACANEDIS review. We remain fully engaged with the Human Rights Council, member states, and all partners committed to advancing universal human rights standards. I conclude by reaffirming Kenya's full cooperation with this mechanism and our deep appreciation to all who contributed to this meaningful dialogue, and look forward to the adoption of this report by consensus. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [32:05]: I thank Her Excellency for this presentation and the constructive participation of Kenya throughout the UPR process. I now propose that the Council adopts the decision on the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Kenya, as it appears on the screen. I see no objection. The decision is adopted. We will briefly suspend the meeting before the consideration of the outcome of Armenia. Excellencies, distinguished participants, we will now proceed with the consideration of the outcome of Armenia. The outcome is based on the report of the working group on the Universal Periodic Review of Armenia and its addendum. These documents, together with the additional information that will now be provided by Armenia, will constitute the outcome of the review. and shall be adopted by the Council through a standardized decision. I now have the pleasure to give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Hasmik Tolmajyan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, to present additional information on the review. Excellency, you have the floor. Armenia · Ambassador and Permanent Representative [37:55]: Thank you, Madam President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. At the outset, on behalf of the Government of Armenia, I would like to reiterate our firm support and commitment to the Universal Periodic Review process, which remains a unique, universal mechanism for the promotion and protection of human rights, both nationally and internationally. Armenia expresses gratitude to all delegations that engaged in its fourth cycle of the UPR, We highly value the constructive dialogue held on 1 May 2025 and the many recommendations provided, which reflect the shared commitment of Member States to strengthening the global human rights system. We would like to thank the UPR Working Group for their tireless efforts in preparing the report that captures the exchange, as well as OHCHR for the invaluable support throughout the current cycle. Armenia received 265 recommendations during this review. Following careful consideration and consultation across relevant ministries and institutions, we are pleased to announce that Armenia has supported the overwhelming majority of them. This reflects not only our strong commitment to advancing human rights, but also the ongoing alignment of the recommendations with reforms and initiatives already underway at the national level. A significant cluster of recommendations focused on the ratification of international and regional instruments. Armenia supported these, including calling for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. The ratification process is advancing in parallel with legislative reforms. Awareness raising measures and the 2025 to 28 gender policy implementation strategy which sets clear priorities for preventing, protecting and survivor support. Earlier this month, Armenia ratified ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work, in fulfilment of a recommendation received during the review and in reaffirmation of unwavering commitment to advance standards on protection and equality. The protection of women's rights, gender equality and women's empowerment are key priorities for Armenia, with these being systematically integrated across national strategies and public budgeting. Reforms have been made to domestic violence legislation, while support services have been expanded to include shelters and economic empowerment initiatives. The implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security remains an important priority, both at national and international levels. Armenia is currently embarking on the development of its third national action plan under this framework. Armenia's contributions in this field also include the Human Rights Council's work. We were pleased to join forces with Estonia, France, Japan, Costa Rica, Chile and Kenya to present a joint statement at HRC 58 on the digital technologies and the role of women and girls and at the side event on the role of international cooperation in closing the gender digital divide organized during Human Rights Council 59. Armenia further supported recommendations to strengthen justice, accountability and institutional reforms. Reforms have been introduced through the new criminal procedure code, expanded oversight by the human rights defender, and the work of public monitoring groups. These measures are reinforcing protections against torture and ill treatment, addressing excessive pre-trial detention, and ensuring access to justice consistent with international standards and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights. We also supported recommendations on the adoption of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation. The draft law on ensuring equality has entered parliamentary consideration and is designed to provide robust protection against all forms of discrimination. This will complement the safeguards already provided by Armenia's criminal code, labour legislation and existing mechanisms for the protection of vulnerable groups. Another broad cluster of supported recommendations relates to economic, social and cultural rights. Important steps are being taken to expand social protection, promote employment and women's empowerment, and advance universal health coverage and quality education. Key measures include the launch of the new vulnerability assessment system, the adoption of the employment strategy, and targeted policies for rural and agricultural development. These reforms are complemented by Armenia's efforts on climate action and environmental protection to ensure a rights-based approach to sustainable development. Armenia upholds a robust legal and institutional framework to combat trafficking in persons, with efforts directed at expanding access to state-funded services for victims and increasing budget allocations for medical care, shelter, education, psychological counseling, legal aid, and rehabilitation. Work is ongoing to strengthen quality standards, refine victim identification criteria, and introduce targeted legal amendments. While awareness raising, professional training, and the use of digital tools further enhance prevention and labour oversight, consultations are currently underway for Armenia's eighth national programme on combating trafficking, which will focus on reducing vulnerability. On children's rights, Armenia has developed a new draft law on the rights of the child and expanded the scope of family-based care options, including foster care and daycare. Institutional mechanisms to prevent early marriages, strengthen child protection and support inclusive education have been enhanced. Juvenile justice processes have been revised and efforts made to ensure that the voices of children are heard and protected. On the right to education, I should emphasize that ensuring quality, accessible, inclusive education remains a top priority in the government's 2021-2026 action plan. In 2022, the government approved the Education Development State Program to 2030, which is the sector's main strategic document, with the overarching goal of ensuring inclusive, accessible, equitable, quality education for all at every stage of life. Armenia is committed to promoting and further protecting the rights of persons in situations of vulnerability, including persons with disabilities, in compliance with the CRPD. Armenia has undertaken important efforts to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities through the adoption of a rights-based legal framework and the implementation of a new WHO-aligned functionality assessment system. State-funded services such as personal assistance and inclusive education have been reinforced. Reforms to enhance accessibility and public awareness are contributing to increased total participation and reduced discrimination. At the same time, a limited number of recommendations were noted. For example, those relating to notions defined in Armenia's constitution, such as the definition of marriage, or those tied to ongoing processes under Armenia's migration, labor, or security policies. Armenia also noted recommendations where our current legal framework already provides broad guarantees, such as in relation to hate crimes, or where premature legislative action, including in the area of artificial intelligence, could risk inconsistencies. Armenia will not be in a position to accept recommendations inconsistent with the principles enshrined in Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, or that do not reflect the impartial spirit of the universal periodic review. Armenia reiterates its commitment to continuing constructive cooperation with this Council, with UN treaty bodies and special procedures, and with our international partners. We remain firmly engaged in strengthening our national mechanism for implementation, reporting and follow-up to ensure the effective translation of recommendations into concrete improvements. It is in this spirit that Armenia has recently joined the group of friends of NMIRFs to further advance closer international cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights. In conclusion, as we recognize that the promotion and protection of human rights is a continuous process, I wish to reaffirm the importance and value of the Universal Periodic Review as it remains an essential mechanism for enhancing the effectiveness of our national human rights framework and translating our commitments into tangible progress. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [47:14]: I thank Her Excellency for this presentation. In accordance with paragraph 13 of the annex of Human Rights Council resolution 16/21, I will now give the floor to the human rights defenders of Armenia. Presentation by video. Armenia · Human Rights Defender [47:33]: Distinguished colleagues, excellencies, the Human Rights Defender plays an imperative role in monitoring and guaranteeing the implementation of the international human rights obligations assumed by Armenia and their adoption into national policies and laws. In its alternative UPR report, the Defender's Office referred to a number of priority directions of its activities. For example, the Defender's Office continues to highlight that investigation of possible torture cases should be conducted when there are sufficient indications, and these investigations should be prompt and effective. Although progress in this regard has been registered, I would like to highlight that there are cases of not observing the required standards for initiating and examining cases of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, and there is a need for further development. The Defender's Office has also been actively developing its anti-discrimination mandate and capacities, has conducted activities regarding the exclusion of discrimination and guaranteeing of equality in Armenia, as problems in the sphere, including the existing stereotypes, continue to persist. For example, the Defender's Office has implemented important measures regarding gender equality, including the initiation of the Gender Equality Seal, as well as the protection of rights of persons with disabilities, national minorities and other groups. Thank you for your attention. HRC · Vice-President [49:13]: Thank you. I will now open the floor to Member and Observer States for their comments on the outcome of the review. The speaking time has been set at one minute and 30 seconds for all States. The first speaker is Philippines. Philippines [49:35]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. The Philippines warmly welcomes the delegation of Armenia and appreciates its acceptance of the Philippine recommendations to, one, strengthen the enforcement of laws and programs aimed at combating trafficking in persons, especially women and girls, for sexual and labor exploitation, including through enhanced cross-border and regional cooperation; and, second, to step up efforts to advance women's empowerment and participation in all spheres of the nation's life, and address persistent gender stereotypes and harmful social norms. We positively note the significant progress Armenia has made in promoting and protecting human rights, notably by reinforcing its legal frameworks and expanding protection and inclusion for vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and refugees. Madam Vice-President, the Philippines is pleased to support the adoption of the UPR Working Group's report on Armenia. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [50:42]: I now give the floor to Russian Federation. Russian Federation [50:47]: President, the Russian delegation welcomes Armenia's fourth cycle of the UPR. We note with satisfaction that Armenia accepted most of the recommendations, including the Russian ones. We note the constructive attitude of the delegation to the APR and the country's steps to adopt human rights instruments, including new acts on administrative liability, the judicial code and the three levels of action to combat corruption, as well as the bankruptcy code, show the country's efforts to strengthen its potential in promoting and protecting human rights and to continue improving the national human rights system. We wish Armenia every success in these efforts. Russia recommends adopting the report on Armenia's fourth cycle of the UPR. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [51:48]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone [51:53]: Madam Vice-President, Sierra Leone welcomes Armenia's delegation and commends its constructive engagement and commitment to advancing human rights. We recognize Armenia's ongoing dedication to promoting and protecting human rights through reforms and other policy measures rooted in democracy, human dignity, and the rule of law. We note with appreciation that Armenia submitted its third voluntary midterm report in February 2023. We note also that, uh, the reform of the electoral process is to promote civil and political rights with improved accessibility and transparency measures being introduced, including the use of voter identification technology and live streaming at polling stations. We also welcome Armenia's efforts to promote gender equality through national strategies and legal reforms that address domestic violence. Say you notes with appreciation that Armenia has accepted all our recommendations. My delegation extends its best wishes to the Republic of Armenia for the successful implementation of all accepted recommendations and invites the Council to adopt the outcomes report by consensus. I thank you, Madam Vice President. HRC · Vice-President [53:06]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Tunisia. Tunisia [53:11]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. We would wish to be the warm welcome to the delegation of Armenia. We thank them for the presentation of the report. We express our welcome to accept their acceptance of the majority of recommendations, particularly the two recommendations of Tunisia. regarding continuing efforts to strengthening the right to education and vocational training, particularly in rural areas, two, to continue efforts aimed at strengthening the, uh, healthcare for, uh, mothers and children, and to secure, reproductive health services to all women. We also value the ratification by Armenia of a large number of international instruments that are related to human rights and taking measures to align the international instruments with its national legislations. We also welcome the adoption of the National Human Rights Plan 2023-2025. In conclusion, we wish Armenia all success to implement the accepted recommendations, and we recommend the Council to adopt the report. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [54:25]: Thank you. I now give the floor to UN Development Cooperation Office. video. UN DCO [54:31]: Mr. President, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, member of the Armenia delegation, excellencies. The UN team in Armenia commends Armenia's active engagement in the UPR process and its strong cooperation with UN human rights mechanism. The high rate of supported recommendations reflect the country's commitment to advancements of the human rights agenda. We welcome Armenia's progress, including the fulfillment of the pledge announced at the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, such as the establishment of the National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up. We also welcome the significant efforts made in refugee rights, the progress on gender equality, and we encourage continued efforts to fulfill remaining pledges, including the adoption of a comprehensive equality law. The UN remains fully committed to supporting Armenia in realizing its human rights ambitions. As we finalize our cooperation framework for 2026 to 2030, the UPR priorities are already shaping our planning, linking sustainable development with human rights and peace. We look forward to continuously work with all stakeholders in the realization of this agenda. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [55:59]: Thank you. I now give the floor to UNFPA. UNFPA [56:05]: The United Nations Population Fund congratulates Armenia on the successful completion of its fourth Universal Periodic Review cycle, commending the country's continuous effort to improve the rights and choices for all, especially for women and girls. Armenia's dedication is evident in several key areas. Significant legal reforms and the training of police and social workers have improved protection for domestic violence survivors. while digital tools like the centralized system for registering domestic violence cases and the enhanced SAFU mobile application further demonstrate this commitment. Additionally, the introduction of a healthy lifestyle course in schools ensures young people receive crucial education, including on sexual and reproductive health. Our support will remain focused on eliminating gender-based violence, promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, empowering youth and investing in demographic resilience, with a special emphasis on the empowerment of vulnerable groups. The UNFPA is proud to be a partner in these efforts and will continue to support Armenia in implementing the UPR recommendations through its new fifth country program. HRC · Vice-President [57:25]: Thank you. I now give the floor to UNHCR. UNHCR [57:32]: Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. UNHCR applauds the efforts by the Government of Armenia to strengthen its protection system for forcibly displaced and stateless persons. UNHCR welcomes Armenia's commitment to lasting solutions, including strengthening the inclusion of refugees and stateless persons in line with the 1951 Refugee Convention, as well as the 1954 and 1961 statelessness conventions. Reflecting the recommendations from the fourth cycle, UNHCR supports Armenia to, one, make further efforts to ensure the full respect for the rights of refugees in line with the 1951 Convention. Two, to ensure the non-penalization of irregular entry for asylum seekers, exempting them from criminal liability for a regular border crossing in line with Article 31 of the 1951 Convention. And third, to adopt a comprehensive strategy for the inclusion and integration of refugees to ensure that they can effectively access their rights. while strengthening inclusion for all forcibly displaced and stateless persons in Armenia and ensuring their equitable access to social services, to justice, and to civil registration. UNHCR remains committed to supporting the Government of Armenia in achieving these goals and implementing UPR recommendations, leaving no refugee or stateless person behind. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [58:44]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Uzbekistan by video. Uzbekistan [58:50]: Thank you, Chair. Uzbekistan warmly welcomes the. Delegation of Armenia for the adoption of report on working group of its fourth cycle of the Universal Periodical Review. We know that the review was active. With the participation of 98 delegations taking the floor and making a total of 274 recommendations. We appreciate the constructive engagement of the delegation of Armenia during the entire review, which reflects the strong commitments. That are attached to the UPR process. We appreciate that 249 recommendations have been supported by Armenia, including three recommendations made by Uzbekistan. We commend Armenia for its progress in advancing judicial and legal reforms, enhancing child protection programs, strengthening social protection systems. And promoting women's empowerment. We congratulate the delegation of Armenia on successful. Review and wish them success in their efforts for implementing the accepted recommendations. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [59:56]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) [1:00:03]: Thank you, Vice President. We'd like to welcome the delegation of Armenia. We'd like to thank them for their presentation. We've taken note of their cooperation with the UPR. We believe that voluntary mechanisms, rather than imposed mechanisms, ensure better results in promoting and protecting human rights. We welcome the full acceptance of Venezuela's recommendations during the interactive dialogue aimed at strengthening human rights in the country, including the promulgation of bills in this area, strengthening the Office of the Ombudsman with appropriate resources, promoting better participation of women in political and public life, as well as rolling out educational opportunities which are inclusive for children with disabilities, ensuring accessibility and specialized support. We encourage Armenia to continue to promote these successful policies in the area of human rights, mainstreaming within those the implementation of those recommendations accepted in the fourth UPR cycle. For all these reasons, we support the adoption of the report. Many thanks. HRC · Vice-President [1:01:05]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Vietnam. Viet Nam [1:01:09]: Madam Vice President, Vietnam thanks the delegation of Armenia for its constructive engagement and congratulates them on the successful convening of this UPR session on May 1, 2025. Vietnam commends Armenia for supporting most of the recommendations received, including both recommendations made by Vietnam. These recommendations call for enhancing vocational training and skills development for youth and vulnerable groups, with a focus on digital literacy and employment readiness, and expanding sustainable rural development initiatives, including access to clean water, healthcare, and livelihood support in remote areas. My delegation applauds Armenia's commitment and continued efforts to meet its national human rights obligations and wishes the country success in implementing the accepted recommendations. Finally, Vietnam recommends the Council to adopt the outcome of the Armenia UPR review by consensus. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:02:02]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Albania. Albania [1:02:06]: Madame la Vice. Vice President, Albania would like to greet the delegation of Armenia and congratulate them on the presentation of their report and their continued commitment to UPR. We congratulate them on the success of the UPR and having accepted a large number of recommendations that will further progress the protection and enhancement of human rights in the country. It's a pleasure to recognize that the Armenian Government accepted three recommendations from Albania regarding, one, improving representation of women in the public and private sector, two, pursuing efforts to combat domestic violence, setting up proper support for victims services, and thirdly, improving support for those children victims of sexual violence. On the basis of these acceptance recommendations, we're convinced that Armenia will continue to improve, particularly in the area of its legislation, institutional area regarding human rights. By way of conclusion, Albania would recommend that Council adopts the UPR report on Armenia. Many thanks. HRC · Vice-President [1:03:08]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Algeria. Algeria [1:03:12]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. The Algerian delegation warmly welcomes the delegation of Armenia and thanks them for their commitment to the UPR process. Algeria particularly welcomes Armenia's acceptance of the recommendations we put forward, which demonstrates its commitment to constructive dialogue and multilateral cooperation. We wish Armenia success in implementing all accepted recommendations from the UPR session and respectfully request the Council to adopt the UPR outcomes of Armenia. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:03:43]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Bahrain. Bahrain [1:03:50]: Thank you, Vice-President. We would like to extend a welcome to the delegation from Armenia. We'd like to thank them for the efforts they've made, particularly regarding the report as part of the fourth cycle of the UPR. We welcome the fact that Armenia accepted the recommendations made. And I think this illustrates the cooperative spirit to strengthen human rights. We also welcome the progress made by Armenia in the area of human rights. We know that national authorities attach a great deal of importance to this issue. Armenia accepted many recommendations made during the fourth cycle, and that is why we would recommend that the report be adopted. And we wish every success and prosperity to Armenia. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:04:47]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Plurinational State of Bolivia. Bolivia (Plurinational State of) [1:04:54]: Gracias. Thank you, Vice-President. We'd like to extend a welcome to the delegation of Armenia. We welcome the fact that they've accepted all the recommendations made by our country, particularly when we refer to the protection of rural women and farmers. We recognise the commitment of Armenia in this regard, and we know this is something that is being implemented, that you have a gender perspective as part of this agricultural development. This reflects our gender policy as well, which includes specific measures to support rural women, and also as part of your rural agricultural policy 2020-2030, stressing inclusive development and sustainable development, devoting particular attention to the needs of women who are working in farming. We express our readiness to share experiences in terms of implementing the recommendations accepted. We welcome the constructive dialogue that was held and the work of the troika. Bolivia supports the adoption of this by consensus, and we wish every success in implementing those commitments entered into. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:06:11]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Botswana. Botswana [1:06:17]: Madam Vice President, Botswana warmly welcomes the delegation of Armenia to the adoption of the UPR outcome. Botswana made two recommendations to Armenia, which are to adopt. Comprehensive legislation to combat and intersecting forms of discrimination and address gender-based violence against women and girls. As well as those living with disability, and to accelerate and expand and expansion of exclusive educational opportunities for children with disabilities, including by improving educational infrastructure and ensure accessibility. We are pleased that Armenia accepted both of our recommendations and look forward to the implementation. Finally, Botswana supports the adoption of the Armenia UPR outcome and wishes them success in implementing the accepted recommendations. I thank you, Madam Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President [1:07:08]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Brunei Darussalam. Brunei Darussalam [1:07:13]: Madam Vice-President, Brunei Darussalam thanks the delegation of Armenia for the updates provided today on the encouraging steps undertaken since its review. We are pleased to note that Armenia has accepted the majority of the 265 recommendations it received. including the two presented by Brunei Darussalam relating to the promotion of the rights of the child and the social inclusion of persons with different abilities. In this regard, we recommend the adoption of the UPR Working Group report and wish Armenia every success in the implementation of the accepted recommendations. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:07:49]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Cambodia. Cambodia [1:07:54]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Cambodia warmly welcomes the distinguished delegation of the Republic of Armenia to the adoption of the UPO outcome. We commend Armenia for its engagement with the UPO process and for the spirit of openness and cooperation it has shown throughout the review. We also welcome the progress made in strengthening the protection of human rights, including efforts to advance judicial reforms, promote gender equality, and enhance the protection of vulnerable groups. In closing, Armenia joins other delegations in recommending the adoption of the UPO outcomes for the Republic of Armenia and wishes the success of the implementation of the accepted recommendation. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:08:42]: Thank you. That was the last speaker we could accommodate. Let me remind you that all statements, including those which could not be delivered due to time constraints, should be uploaded online. I will now give the floor to the other stakeholders to make their general comments on the outcome. The speaking time has been set at two minutes for all. The first speaker is from Action Canada for Population and Development. Action Canada [1:09:14]: Thank you, President. I deliver this statement on behalf of the Women's Resource Centre and the Sexual Rights Initiative. We welcome Armenia's constructive engagement in the UPR process and its acceptance of recommendations related to sexual and reproductive health and rights. We welcome the commitments made to expand access to modern contraceptives, ensure adolescent-friendly and age-appropriate sexuality education, and to strengthen access to reproductive health services. However, for these commitments to be meaningful, some important challenges and gaps must be addressed. For example, Armenia must adopt evidence-based, right-based and inclusive sexuality education in line with international standards. At present, sexuality education continues to be delivered largely through abstinence-based or morality-driven approaches, which fail to equip young women with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed choices. Further, Armenia must address uneven access to reproductive services, including abortion, which is legally permitted in the country. Rural women, women with disabilities, LBT women, and women living with HIV face systemic barriers due to stigma, lack of trained providers, and gaps in service delivery. The government must take proactive steps to ensure abortion is accessible, affordable, and safe for all women, regardless of their social status, genetics, or personal characteristics, or geographical location. Finally, we stress the urgent need to guarantee access to affordable modern contraceptives throughout the country. This is a cornerstone of reproductive autonomy and gender equality, yet many women, particularly from the marginalized communities, continue to lack reliable access. We therefore call on Armenia to prioritize implementation of these recommendations with concrete measures, adequate funding and rights-based approach that leaves no women behind. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:11:11]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Oeuvre d'Orient. Oeuvre d'Orient · General Director [1:11:19]: Thank you. I am General Director of Oeuvre d'Orient. which is now commemorating 170 years in 23 countries, supporting local Christian communities in the area of education, social action and safeguarding heritage. I would like to pay tribute to the efforts of the Republic of Armenia for respecting its international commitments in the area of human rights. It's been present for more than a century in Armenia. We can testify to the fact that there was a generous welcome to those refugees, and particularly 120,000 people who fled Nagorno-Karabakh after the tragic events of September 2023. We'd like to raise awareness about the fate of these people who are still disappeared and arbitrary detention in Baku and dozens of war prisoners and Armenian civilians. We'd like to express our profound concern at the systemized and systematic erasure of religious and cultural Armenian heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh. It's not just a question of history, but a key element of collective memory of the Armenian people. We call on the international community to ensure the right to return of Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh, back to their lands, shed light on all the violations committed, ensure that and say that without truth, without justice, there won't be a better future, nor lasting peace. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:12:43]: Thank you. I now give the floor to advocates for human rights. Advocates for Human Rights [1:12:50]: Mr. President, the Advocates for Human Rights and Pink Armenia welcome the UPR process as an opportunity to highlight the need for strong human rights protection for LGBT+ people in Armenia. We applaud the 12 member states who recommended explicitly including sexual orientation and gender identity as enumerated categories in the draft Law on Ensuring Equality. This is a comprehensive anti-discrimination law that has entered parliamentary consideration. Neither the draft law nor the newly adopted criminal code specifically prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, leaving LGBT+ people vulnerable to discrimination. We are pleased that Armenia has supported these 12 recommendations, and the government notes that they are currently being implemented as the draft law is under parliamentary consideration. At the same time, the government has ended its dialogue with civil society without considering civil society's recommendations on the draft law. Nor has the draft law been sent to Parliament, which makes its status uncertain. We also want to thank those member states who made recommendations to specifically criminalize hate speech and hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Fortunately, Armenia has also supported these recommendations, and we call on the government to work closely with LGBT+ organizations on the specifics of how these recommendations should be implemented. We note, however, that although the criminal code has extended the regulation on hate crimes and speech, three years of monitoring data shows that the government does not effectively implement those provisions, nor provide effective and comprehensive investigation of hate crimes and hate speech towards LGBT+ people. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:14:43]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Conscience and Peace Tax International. Conscience and Peace Tax International [1:14:52]: Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. Following the second UPR cycle, we welcomed the adoption by Armenia of the 2013 Alternative Service Act, which at last created a genuinely civilian alternative service for conscientious objectors, even though its provisions were not perfect, notably including a punitive duration of the alternative service. Disturbingly, however, on 20 August 2024, after the documentation for the latest cycle had been prepared, 21-year-old Baptist conscientious objector Davit Nazaryan began a two-year sentence of imprisonment for his refusal of military service, coming after the similar rejection in recent years of at least two Molokans It raises the fear that the courts may in fact be interpreting the law in a discriminatory way, applying it only to Jehovah's Witnesses. We call upon Armenia to ensure that in its recognition of the right of conscientious objection to military service, it does not discriminate between objectors on the basis of the beliefs on which their objection is grounded, and that it review the duration of civilian alternative service. As a postscript, to its credit, Armenia has been helpful to conscientious objectors who have deserted the Russian armed forces. It refused to extradite Yuri Trostiansky, protested strongly at the abduction of Dmitry Setrakov and thwarted an attempt this July to abduct Semyon Sobotin. We hope that it accepts Sobotin's urgent appeal for permission to leave Armenia, where he believes that another abduction attempt is probable. Thank you very much, Madam Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President [1:16:42]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Human Rights House Foundation. Human Rights House Foundation [1:16:47]: Thank you, Vice-President. This statement is delivered on behalf of Human Rights House Foundation and our partners in Human Rights House Yerevan. We welcome Armenia's positive engagement with the UPR process and acceptance of a number of recommendations concerning the protection of human rights defenders, journalists and civil society. However, concerns remain. Human rights defenders continue to face harassment, intimidation, and physical attacks. Authorities have often failed to provide public support for human rights defenders or to ensure thorough investigations into such attacks. Despite a narrative of there being a safe environment for civil society, our partners have recently witnessed attempts to silence the voices of human rights defenders when raising legitimate criticisms of state agencies. We also remain concerned about the use of force and arbitrary detention by law enforcement during peaceful protests. There have been repeated reports of protesters and journalists being injured or detained without legal justification, with no perpetrators being held accountable. Finally, the rise of strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPPs, represents a growing threat to civic space. Journalists, environmental activists, and women's rights defenders in particular are targeted with legal actions designed to silence criticism and drain resources. We therefore urge Armenia to, one, conduct prompt, independent investigations into threats and attacks against defenders and end the culture of impunity; two, hold law enforcement accountable for disproportionate use of force at assemblies, while strengthening training and safeguards to protect demonstrators and journalists; And three, introduce judicial safeguards to recognize and dismiss slaps and ensure public officials do not misuse the legal system to intimidate critics. We and our partners in Yerevan stand ready to assist Armenia in implementing these recommendations. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:18:47]: This is the last speaker on our list. Before giving the floor to the delegation of Armenia for concluding remarks, allow me to inform that out of 274 recommendations received, 249 enjoy the support of Armenia and 25 are noted. I now give the floor back to Her Excellency for concluding remarks. Excellency, you have the floor. Armenia · Ambassador and Permanent Representative [1:19:21]: Thank you, President. Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Government of Armenia, I'd like to express our sincere appreciation to all delegations and to civil society and human rights institutions for their observations shared during the session. The adoption of the UPR represents an important stocktaking exercise for Armenia. It provides us with a forward-looking roadmap for further advancing human rights. and also charting a course to strengthen justice and upholding and promoting the rule of law in Armenia. For Armenia, the Universal Periodic Review is more than simply a reporting obligation. It is a process of continuous reflection, progress and partnership. based on meaningful dialogue, mutual learning, exchange of good practices. This is added value, creating a great space for this dialogue and commitment for human rights. By adopting this report as part of our fourth cycle, we're now on the next stage, namely implementation and follow-up, and we will continue to listen to the stakeholders' contributions, we'd like to restate our determination to press on with this and turn these into proper actions, enhancing and improving dialogue, inclusive dialogue, transparency, and close cooperation with all stakeholders, particularly civil society and our international partners. I'd like to thank you all for your kind attention and for your contribution to a dialogue and a process. We're absolutely convinced that it will allow us to better improve promotion and protection of human rights and for the universal respect of human rights. We're convinced that only collective and tireless commitment towards human dignity and fundamental freedoms born by multilateralism and international cooperation will allow us to build a fairer future, one that is more inclusive and more peaceful for all. Many thanks. HRC · Vice-President [1:21:33]: I thank Her Excellency for this presentation and for the constructive participation of Armenia throughout the UPR process. I now propose that the Council adopts the decision on the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Armenia. as it appears on the screen. I see no objection. The decision is adopted. We will briefly suspend the meeting before the consideration of the outcome of Guinea-Bissau. Excellencies, distinguished participants, we will now proceed with the consideration of the outcome of Guinea-Bissau. The outcome is based on the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of Guinea-Bissau and its addendum. These documents, together with the additional information that will now be provided by Guinea-Bissau will constitute the outcome of the review and shall be adopted by the Council through a standardized decision. I now have the pleasure to give the floor to Her Excellency, Ms. Maria do Socorro Monteiro, Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Guinea-Bissau, to present additional information on the review through a video statement. Excellency, you have the floor. Guinea-Bissau · Minister of Justice and Human Rights [1:25:14]: Excellency, President of the Human Rights Council, Excellencies, representatives of Member States of Council, dear observers and participants, ladies and gentlemen, President, it is a great honor and a source of satisfaction for me to be able to address you on behalf of Guinea-Bissau at this very important meeting held in the Human Rights Council. I'd like to start by expressing thanks to all members of Council for their commitment and the work that they have been doing in order to build fairer societies, ones that are increasingly based on the structuring principles and values of the rule of law. Guinea-Bissau is a developing country. We have spared no effort to honour our commitments, our international commitments, particularly those before the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. Our country was present at the 49th session of the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, with a government delegation present. During that session, they submitted the national report on the situation of human rights in the country. In the wake of the interactive dialogue with the HRC working group, 224 recommendations were made to the State of Guinea-Bissau. Our position on this has been conveyed to Council. We would very much like to highlight, with a great deal of satisfaction, the nature of the constructive dialogue that governed the work as we submitted our report, and we would like to restate our desire to continue to work in implementing these recommendations. as well as consolidating gains already made and in strengthening our collective response for future exercises. Allow me also to express our gratitude. We are convinced that recommendations shall increasingly improve our social fabric, They will influence future strategic planning exercises. They will strengthen both the ideals and the basis of our rule of law, in turn grounded in the respect for human dignity, as well as respect for the primacy of law. Dialogue with the Human Rights Council yet again led to a constructive and fruitful interaction with a view to seeking out best practices and in order to get solutions that will contribute significantly to improve the human rights indicators. Guinea-Bissau, President, has entered into this clear commitment to promote and strengthen the democratic rule of law and also to enhance the fundamental freedoms and fundamental guarantees of our citizens. We will be particularly paying a great deal of attention to implementing those recommendations stemming from this exercise, and we will also be looking very closely at our strategic document for human rights, which will set out a course to try to get perfection. On behalf of Guinea-Bissau, I would like to thank the United Nations for all its support. We would also like to extend these thanks to members of the Human Rights Council. and to the troika for the way in which they have conducted the work during the fourth cycle session. And allow me to repeat our thanks as well as our commitment, an unwavering commitment, in order to enhance and strengthen the rule of law in Guinea-Bissau. Many thanks. Thank you to you all. HRC · Vice-President [1:30:12]: I thank Her Excellency for this presentation, and also thank the interpreter for the interpretation, courtesy. I will now open the floor to Member and Observer States for their comments on the outcome of the review. The speaking time has been set at one minute, 30 seconds for all States. The first speaker is from Eritrea. Eritrea [1:30:41]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. We express our sincere appreciation to Guinea-Bissau for its constructive engagement with the UPR process and for the acceptance of our humble recommendations. In particular, we welcome the commitment to accelerate the adoption and implementation of the Disability Rights Bill, as well as the strengthening of routine immunization systems to ensure and maintain high coverage. We recognize that these efforts are being undertaken despite significant challenges, and we commend the determination shown. We also welcome the adoption comprehensive child protection policy and the development of a long-term action plan alongside the Education Sector Plan 2017-2025, which prioritizes the inclusion of children with disabilities. These initiatives represent meaningful progress toward promoting equal access, social protection, and inclusive participation in education and public life. Eritrea supports the adoption of Guinea-Bissau's outcome document. We extend our best wishes to the Government of Guinea-Bissau for the successful and effective implementation of the accepted recommendations. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:31:44]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Gabon. Gabon [1:31:50]: Thank you, Vice-President. Gabon welcomes Guinea-Bissau's cooperation with the APR. It has accepted most of the recommendations made during the recent review, including those from my country. We note its considerable efforts within the context of promoting and protecting human rights. My delegation commends the reform of the legal framework, which seeks to strengthen human and material resources for justice system officials and the establishment of policies to eradicate corruption and transnational crime, including the adoption of our national strategy to combat corruption 2021-2030. Gabon reaffirms its support to these actions and recommends that the Council adopt the final report on Guinea-Bissau. We wish Guinea-Bissau every success in implementing the recommendations accepted. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:33:02]: Thank you. I now give the floor to India. India [1:33:07]: India warmly welcomes the delegation of Guinea-Bissau for the adoption of the UPR Working Group's report on its fourth UPR held on 2nd May 2025. The review saw substantive participation with 79 delegations taking the floor and making a total of 224 recommendations. We appreciate the constructive engagement of the delegation of Guinea-Bissau during the entire review, which reflects their commitment to the UPR process. India appreciates that as many as 221 recommendations have been accepted by Guinea-Bissau, including the three recommendations made by us. While recommending the adoption of their UPR report, We congratulate the delegation of Guinea-Bissau on a successful review and wish them success in their efforts towards implementing the accepted recommendations. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:33:46]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Maldives. Maldives [1:33:50]: Madam Vice-President, the Maldives warmly welcomes the distinguished delegation from Guinea-Bissau to the. Adoption of the UPR report and compliments Guinea-Bissau's commitment to the UPR process. We commend the Government of Guinea-Bissau for accepting the majority of the recommendations, including the two recommendations made by the Maldives. During the UPR Working Group session in May. We wish the Government of Guinea-Bissau success in the implementation of the accepted recommendations and request the Council to adopt the UPR outcome report of Guinea-Bissau by consensus. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:34:25]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Mali. Mali [1:34:30]: Thank you, Vice-President. At the outset, I thank Guinea-Bissau for its participation in the APR. We commend its acceptance of a high number of recommendations, including those from my country, notably on the national policy to measure the impact of budget allocations on health, capacity building, on community health centers and midwives. We wish Guinea-Bissau every success in implementing the recommendations. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:35:09]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Morocco. Morocco [1:35:13]: President, my delegation wishes to express its appreciation of Guinea-Bissau's constructive engagement in the universal periodic review process, reflecting its dedication to strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights. We commend Guinea-Bissau for accepting the recommendations made by Morocco, particularly those aimed at aligning the legislative provisions governing the National Human Rights Commission with the Paris Principles, establishing a national mechanism for implementation, reporting, and follow-up, and implementing the national strategy against corruption to promote good governance and sustainable development. These commitments represent important steps toward consolidating democratic institutions, enhancing accountability, and fostering inclusive development. We extend our best wishes for Guinea-Bissau's success in implementing the accepted recommendations. Thank you, Mr. President. HRC · Vice-President [1:36:06]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Mozambique. Mozambique [1:36:13]: Thank you very much, Madam Vice President. Mozambique welcomes the distinguished delegation of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. to the adoption of its fourth cycle universal periodic review report. We commend Guinea-Bissau's constructive engagement with the UPR process and its demonstrated commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. In particular, we welcome Guinea-Bissau's acceptance of nearly all the recommendations received, including the four recommendations made by Mozambique. Mozambique fully supports the adoption of Guinea-Bissau's UPR report and wishes the Government every success in implementing the accepted recommendations. Thank you very much. HRC · Vice-President [1:37:08]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Nepal. Nepal [1:37:12]: Madam Vice-President, Nepal warmly welcomes the delegation of Guinea-Bissau to the adoption of the UPR outcome and thanks them for their constructive engagements with the human rights mechanisms. We thank Guinea-Bissau for accepting all three recommendations that we offered. We commend the efforts of Guinea-Bissau towards protecting and promoting the rights of children, women and persons with disabilities through its social protection measures. Nepal wishes Guinea-Bissau all success in implementing the accepted recommendations and supports the adoption of the UPR outcome report by consensus. I thank you, Madam Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President [1:37:45]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Philippines. Philippines [1:37:49]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. The Philippines warmly welcomes the delegation of Guinea-Bissau and its decision to accept 221 of 224 recommendations, a commendably high rate of acceptance, including the three recommendations offered by the Philippines, which are to effectively implement the action plan to combat human trafficking by allocating adequate resources to step up measures to reduce school dropout rates, especially among girls in rural areas, and strengthen community-based interventions for improved maternal and child health outcomes, and to continue to ensure robust enforcement of laws against gender-based violence particularly domestic violence, female genital mutilation, child marriage, and enhance access to justice and support services for victims and survivors. Madam Vice-President, the Philippines is pleased to strongly recommend the adoption of the Working Group report on Guinea-Bissau and extends its best wishes for the successful implementation of the supported recommendations. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:38:59]: I now give the floor to Portugal. Portugal [1:39:02]: Madam. Vice President, Portugal welcomes Guinea-Bissau's constructive engagement, which allowed a fruitful dialogue on human rights and the existing challenges. We welcome the large number of recommendations, including those by Portugal on criminalising all forms of violence against children, combating human trafficking and eradicating poverty. Portugal stands ready to cooperate with Guinea-Bissau bilaterally through Strategic Cooperation Programme 21-21 and through the CPLP, which provides a multilateral framework. This framework is not this this exercise is not limited to the recommendations it requires ongoing monitoring and we wish Guinea-Bissau every success in implementing the recommendations of this cycle thank you HRC · Vice-President [1:40:11]: I now give the floor to Russian Federation. Russian Federation [1:40:18]: Madam Vice-President, Russia notes with satisfaction Guinea-Bissau's passage of the fourth cycle. The vast majority of the recommendations, including the Russian ones, were accepted, which shows the government's efforts to promote and protect human rights and readiness to continue cooperating with international human rights mechanisms. We note the positive effect of the Government's steps to improve the justice system and improve the conditions of detention, as well as the broadening of public access to free healthcare and education. That is important work. We hope that the November The 2025 elections will be carried out strictly in compliance with the law and fundamental rights and freedoms. Russia recommends adopting the report on Guinea-Bissau's fourth cycle of the UPR. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:41:18]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Senegal. Senegal [1:41:23]: Madame Vice President, Senegal warmly welcomes the delegation of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. and thanks it for the updated information provided by it to the Council. My delegation notes with satisfaction the progress made by Guinea-Bissau in implementing commitments to promote and protect human rights, particularly through the strengthening of its legal and institutional framework. Senegal commends the adoption in March 2023 of the National Strategy for Inclusive Education in line with the implementation of measures to promote and include, promote the rights and include persons with disabilities in education. While calling for the adoption of the report, Senegal reiterates to Guinea-Bissau its wishes for every success in the implementation of the recommendations accepted. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:42:24]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone [1:42:31]: Madam Vice-President, Sierra Leone extends a warm welcome to the distinguished delegation of the sister Republic of Guinea-Bissau and thanks them for their continued cooperation and constructive engagement throughout the fourth cycle of the UPR. We commend Guinea-Bissau for accepting almost all, with only three noted recommendations, reflecting its strong commitment to addressing critical human rights challenges. Sierra Leone welcomes Guinea-Bissau's acceptance of all three of our recommendations, particularly to consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. We encourage Guinea-Bissau to prioritize the full implementation of these recommendations and to continue engaging with other human rights mechanisms to ensure sustained progress. Sierra Leone expresses its best wishes for the successful implementation of all UPR recommendations by Guinea-Bissau, and request the Council to adopt the outcome report by consensus. I thank you, Madam Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President [1:43:34]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Sudan. Sudan [1:43:41]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. We commend the progress made in the area of promoting and protecting human rights in Guinea-Bissau, and we welcome the active participation in the UPR, while accepting the recommendations provided by the States, including those provided by the Sudan, to strengthen the legal framework to protect the rights of children and that of the rights of the of persons with disabilities along with the national strategies and program to achieve the sustainable development goals including providing services of sanitation and potable water in conclusion we recommend the acceptance of the adoption of the report and we wish Guinea-Bissau all success in the implementation of the recommendations accepted thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:44:41]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Tibor Este. Timor-Leste [1:44:50]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Tibor Este thanks the delegation of Guinea-Bissau and commends its constructive engagement in the fourth cycle of the EPR. We encourage it to continue advancing the revision of key legal frameworks as an important step towards strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. Timor-Leste particularly welcomes the acceptance of the four recommendations that we submitted, notably those aimed at strengthening and upholding the rights of children. In that connection, we recommend the adoption of the UPR report and wish Guinea-Bissau every success in the effective implementation of the recommendations it has accepted. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:45:45]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Tunisia. Tunisia [1:45:50]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. We welcome the distinguished delegation of Guinea-Bissau. We thank them for their report. We warmly welcome the acceptance of a large majority of the recommendations, particularly the recommendation by Tunisia on continuing efforts aimed at strengthening equality between genders and the rights of women and to complete the procedures to ratify the law, to enact the law on the rights of children, as well as the legal strengthening the legal framework for good governance. We also recommend Guinea-Bissau to align its national legislations with international instruments of human rights, particularly the adoption of the National Plan for Human Rights. In conclusion, we wish all success to the delegation of Guinea-Bissau to implement the accepted recommendations, and we recommend the Council to adopt the report. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:47:00]: Thank you. I now give the floor to UN Development Coordination Office. UN DCO [1:47:07]: President and distinguished members of the Human Rights Council, It's an honor for me to address this Council on behalf of the United Nations Country Team in Guinea-Bissau. We commend the Government of Guinea-Bissau for its active participation in the fourth cycle of the UPR and for its openness to dialogue and scrutiny. We welcome its adoption of most of the recommendations and we encourage the Government to move forward with particular emphasis on four areas: Strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law; promoting gender equity and upholding children's rights, enhancing access to justice and public services, and strengthening civic space and media freedom. The United Nations in Guinea-Bissau stands ready with other partners to support the government in the implementation of these recommendations. We urge them to have a transparent and inclusive process to develop a roadmap for this implementation and to put these at the core of the national development plan that is currently being developed. Mr. President, the UPR is not only a review mechanism, it's a platform for transformation. Guinea-Bissau has taken a definitive and very important step, and the United Nations remains committed to be a partner in this journey. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:48:32]: Thank you. I now give the floor to UN-Habitat. UN-Habitat [1:48:37]: UN-Habitat welcomes Guinea-Bissau's efforts towards improving access to an adequate standard of living, including adequate housing and equal access to land rights. UN-Habitat welcomes the steps taken by the government to implement the land law, Lei de Terra, through Decree No. 6/2018 and the establishment of land committees at the national, regional and sector levels with the participation of different groups, including women and youth. These committees have been successful in land-related conflict resolution. UN-Habitat congratulates the government for the initiative to increase the quality and quantity of the housing stock accessible to low-income households with the construction of 1,500 new units. We encourage the government to explore further options to expand the non or limited profit housing stock through all available options, including public and social housing programs, cooperatives, and enhancing access to land, basic services, and technical assistance for construction and maintenance. UN-Habitat welcomes Guinea-Bissau's acceptance of recommendations on access to basic services such as water, sanitation and power, which remain a challenge for most people in Guinea-Bissau. Women and girls have a particular urgent need to access adequate water and sanitation, and the lack thereof means that women and girls must travel greater distances to access these services and in turn augments their risks of gender-based violence. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:50:00]: Thank you. This is the last speaker that we could accommodate. Let me remind you that all statements, including those which could not be delivered due to time constraints, should be uploaded online. I will now give the floor to other stakeholders to make their general comments on the outcome. The speaking time has been set at two minutes for all. The first speaker is Union of Arab Jurists. Union of Arab Jurists [1:50:29]: Thank you. We know the efforts made by Guinea-Bissau in strengthening its legislative and regulatory framework for human rights by adopting several pieces of legislation. The state's acceptance of 203 out of the 213 recommendations made during the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review is a true reflection of cooperation and determination. Implementation is also encouraged as it is pivotal for improving human rights. We welcome the Court's ruling on July 24 in relation to the 28 September 2009 massacre of pro-democracy protesters that resulted in at least 150 deaths and brutal and sexual abuses of more than 100 women and girls. Although this was a horrible experience, but the compensation for the victims of those atrocities will enable them to mourn their losses and begin the healing process after decades of waiting. While we acknowledge Guinea's efforts, we remain concerned by the numerous challenges and barriers that continue to obstruct progress and efforts. This included the reports of continued limitation of political and civil rights, including restrictions on freedom of speech, the press and assembly, and about instances of forced disappearances. Secondly, the large number of children exploited in economic activities and the high rates of dropout from primary and secondary schools. Lastly, maternal and child mortality. We then recommended the state to implement the following recommendations. Continue fight against enforced disappearances and support for civil society organizations in order to promote a culture of free expression. improve healthcare systems and intensify efforts to reduce the prevalence of HIV and AIDS. Lastly, stop child labor and continue the implementation of the national education plan to reduce high rates of dropouts and also continue working with the United Nations mechanisms. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:52:31]: Thank you. I now give the floor to a joint statement by internationallawyers.org. internationallawyers.org [1:52:39]: Thank you. We commend Guinea-Bissau's work to implement the recommendations from the last UPR cycle, reflecting its commitment to advancing democracy and social justice. The government's approval of a national anti-corruption strategy is a significant step towards improving the rule of law. Guinea-Bissau must now intensify its efforts to implement this strategy to guarantee the full respect of freedom of assembly, expression, and press, which continue to face major restrictions. Moreover, although the creation of the project on the right to a life free from violence is encouraging, the judicial system must be strengthened to combat violence and discrimination against women. According to data from the June 2025 meeting of the Human Rights Committee, About 50% of women in Guinea-Bissau have undergone female genital mutilation, and in the Gabu region, 95% of women are affected. This figure highlights the critical need for the full implementation of the national strategy for the elimination of this practice, alongside adopting legislation setting the minimum marriage age at 18. Another critical area of concern is education. The adoption of a national strategy for out-of-school children and the corresponding budget implementation plan deserve recognition. However, access to education, especially for girls and children in rural areas, remains insufficient. Further work is required to ensure that all children receive a free and inclusive education. We emphasize the need to strengthen the legal and institutional framework protecting fundamental rights in the country. Guinea-Bissau must reinforce national human rights mechanisms, enhance cooperation with the United Nations system, and fully implement the report's recommendations to reaffirm its commitment to justice, equality, and human dignity. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:54:38]: Thank you. I give the floor to Interfaith International. Interfaith International [1:54:48]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. Interfaith International welcomes the participation of Burkina Faso in the fourth cycle of the UPR and commends the efforts made by the country, in particular the adoption of the Code for the Comprehensive Protection of Children, the strategy to combat corruption, and the policies on labour rights, social protection, and inclusive education. We remain concerned at drastic restrictions on the freedom of the press, the rise in gender-based violence, and the increase in FGM in the country in recent years. For our organization, combating corruption and ensuring judicial independence must move beyond policy frameworks to provide tangible results. in terms of accountability and justice for all. In conclusion, we call on Guinea-Bissau to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons against Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment. We call on Guinea-Bissau to create the conditions for the opening of civic space and to make appropriate measures to ensure the organisation of free, transparent elections in line with international standards. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:56:24]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Rado. RADO [1:56:29]: Madam Vice President, Rado congratulates Guinea-Bissau on accepting most of the recommendations and on its efforts on human rights. However, It continues to have an institutional and security crisis, which undermines the rule of law and the enjoyment of fundamental rights. Impunity, endemic corruption, and drugs trafficking continue to impact institutions and erode the trust of the population and state. We regret the ongoing attacks on freedom of expression of the press. Journalists and human rights defenders are regularly threatened and harassed. The judicial system is weakened underfinanced and cannot provide effective protection. Extreme poverty, aggravated by poor governance, deprives a large part of the population of equitable access to basic social services, including health and education. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence, child labour and early marriage. We call on the authorities of Guinea-Bissau to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, protect journalists and human rights defenders, step up the fight against corruption and drugs trafficking, and ensure that vulnerable population groups have an effective access to basic social rights. We call on the Council and international community to support Guinea-Bissau in holding free, transparent, inclusive elections and strengthening the democratic institutions. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:58:02]: Thank you. I now give the floor to International Communities Organisation. ICO [1:58:09]: Thank you, Madam President. International Communities Organization remains deeply concerned about the ongoing marginalization of minority groups in Guinea-Bissau and appeals to the Human Rights Council today to give urgent attention to the situation of these vulnerable communities. Last year, the ICO, together with civil society partners in Guinea-Bissau, submitted a joint UPR stakeholder report that was extensively cited in the summary of stakeholders' submissions. That report highlighted the prominence of intersectional discrimination for minority groups, particularly the Fula and Bijagos peoples, in areas such as gender-based violence, linguistic prejudice and economic marginalisation. Whilst ICR welcomes Guinea-Bissau's accession to several international conventions, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, we are concerned by the persistent gap between formal commitments and implementation. We call on the international community to work closely with the Government of Guinea-Bissau to ensure full implementation of international treaties and human rights agreements ratified by Guinea-Bissau, and to translate legal protections into real improvements in the daily lives of minority groups. We therefore urge the Human Rights Council to: encourage the Government to officially and legally recognise minority groups, including the Fula and Bijagós peoples; 2. Ensure equal access for linguistic and ethnic minority groups to public services, such as education and healthcare. 3. Support NGOs in conducting research and data collection to better understand and address the needs of minority groups. 4. Promote stronger implementation of international covenants and treaties and encourage Guinea-Bissau to ratify additional protections, such as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:00:12]: Thank you. This was the last speaker on the list. In continuing, allow me to inform that out of 224 recommendations received, 221 enjoyed the support of Guinea-Bissau, and three are noted. I thank again Her Excellency for the presentation delivered today by video, and for the constructive participation of Guinea-Bissau throughout the UPR process. I now propose that the Council adopts the decision on the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Guinea-Bissau as it appears on the screen. I see no objection. The decision is adopted. We will briefly suspend the meeting before the consideration of outcome of Spain. Thank you. Excellencies, distinguished participants, we will now proceed with the consideration of the outcome of Spain. The outcome is based on the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of Spain and its addendum. These documents, together with the additional information that will now be provided by Spain, will constitute the outcome of the review and shall be adopted by the Council through a standard decision. I now have the pleasure to give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Marcos Gomez Martinez, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations Office in Geneva, to present additional information on the review. Excellency, you have the floor. Spain · Ambassador and Permanent Representative [2:03:57]: Many thanks, Vice President. Vice President, ladies and gentlemen, it's a great honour to take the floor before the Human Rights Council in the session where we adopt the Universal Periodic Review of Spain in the 4th cycle. We'd restate our commitment to this universal exercise of transparency and reflection. It acts as a guide as to the progress being made in promoting and protecting the human rights in all our countries. And also, with an open gaze, we're able to see ourselves reflected in this mirror in order to improve. I'd like to start by passing on our thanks to the 120 delegations that, in a constructive spirit, took part in the interactive dialogue with Spain on 30 April last. We'd really like to thank them for their recommendations, which, most of them, are extremely useful, both in the legislative arena and in administrative practice. Similarly, I'd like to thank the Ombudsman person's office for their contributions at the National Human Rights Institution, Spanish Parliament and civil society there made huge contributions both in the consultation process to draft the national report and also their participation in this April session. Making progress in guaranteeing human rights is tantamount to protecting human dignity. It requires the involvement of everyone, which is why we restate our desire to keep open channels of communication with everyone so we can mutually benefit from contributions as we continue looking and following up on the recommendations made in the UPR. We welcome the contributions, recommendations by treaty bodies, special procedures, which have been compiled by the Office of the High Commissioner. Vice-President, the UPR is an exercise, a notable exercise. It mobilises the entire Spanish administration so that this is translated into public policies and real improvements. I'd like, and it's a pleasure to share with you, that the competent bodies and ministries have analysed and assessed with the utmost care the 324 recommendations received. As a result of this process of assessment and analysis, Spain has decided to accept 303 recommendations, in other words, 93.52% of the total. These recommendations reflect real milestones that we are committed to, including recommendations that are already being complied with. In addition, Spain accepts partially three recommendations because of constitutional, legal and budgetary reasons which impede their full application. And finally, we take note of 18 recommendations which we will not be able to apply at this stage. I'd now like to refer if I may, to some of these recommendations, the 324 that we received, and say something about the initiatives and commitments already adopted by Spain. And I'm going to refer to four clusters of recommendation that I think sparked the interest of delegations. Many delegations made recommendations on gender violence. This is something which afflicts all countries, of course, in that regard. I want to restate the untiring commitment to Spain to combat this scourge. Despite all our efforts, it still is taking a heavy toll in lives. We must never lose sight of these people who are really suffering extremely from this violence. There are real challenges, but in 2025 we renewed the state pact against gender violence with 461 measures, tangible measures. for the upcoming five years, and we will continue to apply organic law 10/22, which provides comprehensive guarantees regarding sexual freedom and strengthens the protection of victims of sexual violence, using a comprehensive approach that is focused on victims. We are complementing that with the first strategic plan to prevent sexual violence, which promotes institutional co-ordination and specialised training for public officers who work in this area. Also, the issue of human trafficking was raised by many states, despite the fact that we have this offence criminalised in our criminal legislation. We are still drafting a comprehensive preliminary draft bill against trafficking, specifically covering the recognition of rights, assistance mechanisms and protection of all victims of exploitation of human beings as well as trafficking, irrespective of their nationality, their administrative situation or any other personal or social circumstance. We also welcome the recommendations made regarding, and this encourages to make progress for effective equality. We're convinced that gender equality strengthens and is a key component of democracy. That is why we have the organic law 2/2024 on joint representation and balanced presence of men and women. It's introduced substantial modifications into our legal apparatus regarding decision making sphere of political and economic life, including in Parliament, government, the judiciary, and those are the three states of the power. And this is important also in the boards of companies. So that's the first cluster of recommendations. The second one, several countries expressed interest in how we are combating racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance. We would like to restate our commitment to eradicating racism. This is of course something that affects all our societies, particularly stressing structural racism and racial and ethnic discrimination from an intersectional perspective. Given the increasing threat of hate speech and we've seen this in Spain as well, and disinformation coming from digital platforms, we defend tolerance, respect, coexistence and inclusive societies. Spain is really pushing combating racism and discrimination with the creation of a prosecutor's officer on hate crime. The National Office Against Hate Offences, cooperating with the police force, and our strategic framework on citizenship and inclusion against racism and with denounce and complaints mechanisms, we also have an independent authority for. equal treatment, guaranteeing compliance with the norms and protecting victims, we've strengthened what we call our observatory, Oberakci, which is key to reduce violence. Some recommendations said we need to prevent the use of racial profiling from our security forces and law enforcement apparatus. I would like to say that any form that is discriminatory behavior is prohibited and it can actually give rise to serious consequences and criminal responsibility. Then, third block of recommendations, childhood. We are committed to the rights of all our children, particularly the right to health and the right to education. Preventing violence is equally important. We have Organic Law 8/2021 on the comprehensive protection for childhood and adolescence against violence in order to guarantee protection of all girls, boys and teenagers in Spain, naturally including migrant children. The fourth group of recommendations had to do with economic, social and cultural rights. Spain is implementing policies to ensure social justice, strengthening cohesion, preventing exclusion, particularly those people who are in a situation of greatest vulnerability. Purchasing power of households has been impacted by economic crisis also. health crisis and geopolitical crises, but we have guaranteed what we call a minimum income. We also want to attack poverty. Another concern that we have is the access to housing for young people, which is very difficult at the moment. We are trying to develop law 12/2023 to include measures to increase affordable housing. We'd particularly like to thank those recommendations which have to do with new challenges regarding human rights, two specific areas, the climate emergency, first of all, and AI, artificial intelligence. Before I conclude and hear what you also have to say in your contributions, Spain will be submitting as a good practice, and we've done this before in our last cycle, a mid-term report in order to facilitate the follow-up given to those recommendations accepted. Many thanks, Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President [2:13:04]: I thank His Excellency for this presentation. I will now open the floor to Member and Observer States for their comments on the outcome of the review. The speaking time has been set at one minute and 30 seconds for all states. I now give the floor to Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic [2:13:26]: Many thanks, Vice-President. The Dominican Republic would like to congratulate Spain. Thank you for your commitment to the UPR and indeed for the constructive spirit that you've shown during the process. As we've just heard from the Ambassador, Spain has approved 93.52% of the overall recommendations. It leaves no doubt as to the resolute will of this country to advance the promotion and protection of human rights. Also, I'd like to highlight the acceptance of recommendations submitted by our country, including broadening efforts in the South-South and triangular cooperation, particularly in programs to prevent gender violence and comprehensive care for victims. We already know what bilateral and multilateral efforts Spain is deploying in this area. Also, I'd like to highlight the exceptions of our recommendation on rolling out initiatives as part of academic and technical exchanges in the Ibero-American region. Spain is one of the main academic points of destination for Dominican students who are able to benefit from high quality training. and technical cooperation, which strengthens our regions. We wish every success to Spain in implementing those recommendations accepted, and we recommend that Council approves this report by consensus. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:14:57]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Eritrea. Eritrea [2:15:02]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. We warmly welcome the distinguished delegation of Spain to this session for the adoption of its universal periodic review outcome. We commend Spain for its sustained efforts to combat racism, xenophobia, and all other forms of intolerance, as well as for the measures it has taken to foster the integration and inclusion of persons of foreign origin. These are important steps that reflect a strong commitment to upholding human dignity and equality. In this regard, we express our particular appreciation to Spain for accepting the two recommendations that we put forward. These include, first, the strengthening of its commitment to the strategic framework for citizenship and inclusion against racism and xenophobia, and second, the advancement of the master plan for Spanish cooperation. Both frameworks represent significant avenues to promote tolerance, diversity, and international solidarity. Eritrea fully the adoption of Spain's outcome document, and we extend our sincere best wishes to the government of Spain for the successful realization of the recommendations they have accepted. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:16:03]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Ethiopia. Ethiopia [2:16:08]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. Ethiopia warmly welcomes the delegation of Spain to the outcome review of the UPR and commend Spain for its constructive participation in the fourth UPR cycle. We take positive note that Spain has accepted a significant number of recommendations, including those put forwarded by Ethiopia. We appreciate its con- constructive engagement in this regard. In particular, we welcome Spain's expressed commitment to strengthen national frameworks aimed at promoting and protecting human rights. Ethiopia emphasized the importance of sustained efforts to ensure effective implementation of the accepted recommendation. In conclusion, Ethiopia supports the adoption of the UPR outcome report. of Spain and wishes the country every success in advancing its human rights agenda. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:17:05]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Gabon. Gabon [2:17:10]: Thank you, Vice-President. The delegation of Gabon would like to extend a welcome to the delegation of Spain. We welcome this full, wholehearted cooperation of this country with the UPR mechanism. which can be seen with the acceptance of 303 recommendations out of the 324 received during the last review, 93.52% of the overall amount. We are grateful to Spain for the fact that they have taken on board their recommendations, namely eradicating violence against women and forced marriages, as well as FGM in this regard. We congratulate Spain on the drafting of their national strategy to combat machista violence and the third strategic plan for effective equality between women and men. For all these reasons, and given what has been mentioned in the report, we would ask Council to validate the UPR report of Spain. We wish them every success in the implementation of the recommendations accepted. Many thanks, Vice President. HRC · Vice-President [2:18:16]: Thank you. I now give the floor to India. India [2:18:22]: Madam Vice President, India warmly welcomes the delegation of. Spain for the adoption of the report of the working group on its fourth. Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review held on 30th April 2025. The review saw substantive and constructive participation with 120 delegations taking the floor and making a total of 324 recommendations. We appreciate the constructive engagement of the delegation of Spain during the entire review, which reflects the strong commitment they attach to the UPR process. We appreciate that as many as 303 recommendations have been accepted by Spain, including two recommendations made by us. While recommending the adoption of their UPR report, we congratulate the delegation of Spain on a successful review and wish them success in their efforts for implementing the accepted recommendations. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:19:10]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran (Islamic Republic of) [2:19:17]: Thanks, President. Iran welcomes the delegation of Spain. We remain concerned about the human rights situation in Spain, particularly the disturbing trend in human trafficking and exploitation, the imposition of the disproportionate punishment on minority, and the continued violation of the right to education for Roma women and girls. The Islamic Republic of Iran makes the following recommendations to Spain: To intensify efforts to eliminate educational segregation based on socioeconomic status and ethnicity. To take effective measures to ensure that both governmental and private sector actors do not support or contribute to the imposition of UCM. To adopt comprehensive and enforceable legislation to combat human trafficking, to urgently implement concrete and effective action to end gender-based violence against women, to take immediate and tangible steps to eradicate all forms of discrimination. We wish Spain success in its UPR process. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:20:27]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Jordan. Jordan [2:20:33]: Madam Vice-President, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan would like to express its appreciation to the Kingdom of Spain for the constructive cooperation that it has with the UPR and its unwavering commitment to promoting and protecting human rights at the national and international level. We welcome the efforts made by Spain in the area of equality, social inclusion, as also strengthening social cohesion broadly and combating all forms of discrimination. We welcome the policies and practices that have been adopted. They are a model that could be shared with friendly states. Our country is proud of its distinguished relations with Spain and its friendship. We look forward to continuing our cooperation and exchanging best practices in sectors of interest. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:21:30]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Kuwait. Kuwait [2:21:41]: Thank you. We'd also like to extend a welcome to the Spanish delegation. We thank them for the submission and what they had to say about the recommendations. We welcome them for accepting many recommendations, recommendations that can strengthen human rights protection, including two made by our country on strengthening national efforts to combat hate speech, taking social initiatives also to reduce economic differences and strengthening social inclusion. To conclude, we wish Spain every success in implementing those recommendations accepted, and we recommend that Council adopt the outcome of the UPR of Spain. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:22:28]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Lao People's Democratic Republic. Lao People's Democratic Republic [2:22:34]: Madam Vice-President, my delegation warmly welcomes the delegation of Spain to this 60th session of Human Rights Council and commends its constructive engagement during the UPR process. The Lao PDR commends Spain's commitment to continue its constructive engagement with the UN mechanism and encourages Spain to enhance national efforts in the promotion and protection of human rights in the country, especially for the most vulnerable groups. We appreciate that Spain has accepted the majority of recommendations received during the constructive dialogue, including two recommendations made by the Lao PDR. We wish Spain every success in implementing the accepted recommendations. In conclusion, we support the adoption of the UPR outcome of Spain by consensus. I thank you, Madam Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President [2:23:30]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Lesotho. Lesotho [2:23:35]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. Lesotho welcomes the delegation of Spain to the working group. We acknowledge Spain's constructive engagement throughout the UPR process and take note of the steps which Spain has taken in various areas to promote and protect human rights in the country. We commend them for the adoption of the Second National Human Rights Plan 2023-27, as it covers areas including equality between women and men and international obligations cooperation. This tool is a requisite to strengthen measures for the promotion and protection of human rights. Notwithstanding this progress, we encourage Spain to continue in its efforts to finalize a family law bill, which includes safeguards on the rights of children and adolescents, regardless of their family model. We also call on Spain to continue with efforts to review national strategy and against organized crime, which expired in 2023 and was used to address trafficking in persons. In conclusion, Lesotho wishes Spain well as it continues to implement the accepted recommendations and recommends the adoption of the report. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:24:47]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Libya. Libya [2:24:54]: Thank you, Vice-President. We'd like to extend a welcome to the Kingdom of Spain. We congratulate them on the efforts deployed in strengthening and protecting human rights, and we congratulate them on the very courageous position supporting the Palestinian people in the light of the crime of genocide. We welcome them on the fact that they've accepted our recommendations under the fourth cycle. We've ever suggest to this august Council that they accept and adopt the report of the Kingdom of Spain, wishing them every success in implementing the recommendations accepted. HRC · Vice-President [2:25:33]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Maldives. Maldives. Maldives [2:25:54]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. The Maldives warmly welcomes the distinguished delegation from Spain to the adoption of the UPR report and compliments Spain's commitment to the UPR process. The Maldives commends Spain for accepting the majority of the recommendations it received during the UPR working group session in May, which includes the two recommendations by the Maldives. We wish the Government of Spain success in the implementation of the accepted recommendations and request the Council to adopt the UPR outcome report of Spain by consensus. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:26:28]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Morocco. Morocco [2:26:31]: Mr. President, my delegation wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Spain for its constructive engagement in the Universal Periodic Review process and for accepting the recommendations addressed by Morocco. This reflects Spain's strong commitment to advancing the protection and promotion of human rights. We particularly welcome Spain's decisions to ensure that the Observatory against Racism and Xenophobia is provided with the necessary resources to fulfill its important role, thereby reinforcing efforts to combat discrimination and intolerance. We also commend Spain's commitment to continue ensuring that migrant children have effective access to education and healthcare, a vital step in safeguarding their rights and fostering equal opportunities. Morocco supports the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Spain and wishes Spain every success in the implementation of the accepted recommendations. Thank you, Mr. President. HRC · Vice-President [2:27:33]: I now give the floor to Mozambique. Mozambique [2:27:38]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Mozambique warmly welcomes the distinguished delegation of the Kingdom of Spain to the adoption of its fourth cycle of UPR report. We commend Spain for its strong commitment to the UPR process and to international human rights obligations. This is clearly demonstrated by the acceptance of 303 out of 324 recommendations received, including all three recommendations made by Mozambique. Mozambique supports the adoption of Spain's UPR report and wishes the government continued success in implementing the accepted recommendations. Thank you, Madam Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President [2:28:21]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Nepal. Nepal [2:28:25]: Madam Vice-President, Nepal warmly welcomes the delegation of Spain to the adoption of its Universal Periodic Review outcome and commends its constructive engagement with the human rights mechanisms. We thank Spain for the acceptance of three recommendations offered by Nepal, reflecting its commitment to advancing human rights. Nepal takes positive notes of Spain's efforts towards labour market reform and strengthen the social security system. We support the adoption of the UPR outcome report by consensus and wish Spain all success in implementing the accepted recommendations. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:29:00]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Oman. Oman [2:29:04]: Thank you. The Oman delegation welcomes that of Spain. We commend their cooperation with human rights mechanisms and commitment to strengthening healthcare rights, seeking quality. We note the UPR results of this friendly country with the constructive dialogue. We thank Spain for recommending the recommendations from our country to strengthen public institutions, transparency, combat sexual crimes and protect children on the internet. We recommend the adoption of of the UPR report on Spain and wish Spain every success in implementing the recommendations accepted. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:30:10]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Philippines. Philippines [2:30:15]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. My delegation warmly welcomes the delegation of Spain to this session. We express our appreciation to Spain for accepting our recommendations. to enhance measures for the prevention and prosecution of trafficking in persons and improve support services for survivors; and, number two, to continue to ensure the effective prosecution of hate crimes and curtailment of racial profiling by law enforcement through, among others, mandatory human rights education and training; and, three, to continue to guarantee the rights of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, sustaining efforts towards the elimination of structural barriers to their access to basic social services. Madam Vice President, the Philippines is pleased to endorse the adoption by consensus of the UPR report on Spain by the Council and wishes Spain every success in the implementation of the accepted recommendations. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:31:15]: Thank you. This was the last speaker that we could accommodate. Let me remind you that all statements, including those which could not be delivered due to time constraints, should be uploaded online. I will now give the floor to the other stakeholders to make their general comments on the outcome. The speaking time has been set at two minutes for all. I now give the floor to Alliance Defending Freedom. ADF International [2:31:44]: ADIF International notes Spain's support for recommendations concerning the protection of children from all forms of violence and its stated commitment to support them and their family in accordance with their best interests. However, we remain gravely concerned that Spain continues to expose children to harmful and irreversible practices under the guise of so-called gender transition. Scientific evidence demonstrates that such interventions are experimental in nature and often result in devastating and lifelong harm, including permanent sterilization, bone density loss, loss of breastfeeding ability, premature menopause, and severe psychological distress. In response to comprehensive systematic reviews and evidence-based evaluations, many governments have rightly changed course and moved to prohibit or heavily restrict such interventions in order to protect children's health. It is therefore deeply regrettable that Spain's legal framework not only permits children to be placed on this harmful pathway, but also allows parental authority to be suspended when families express legitimate concerns or challenge such interventions. As highlighted by the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls in her latest report to the Human Rights Council, access to so-called gender medicine not only violates their rights to safety, security, and freedom from violence, but also disregards their right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and the principles of the best interest of the child. Most crucially, children lack the capacity to give informed consent to such life-altering interventions. Mr. Vice President, in light of the above, ADF International urges the government of Spain to fulfill its human rights obligations by acknowledging that practices of so-called gender transition constitute a form of violence against children and by prohibiting these harmful interventions without delay. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:33:34]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Center for Global Nonkilling. Center for Global Nonkilling [2:33:41]: Dear human beings. Madam Vice President, dear populations of the Earth, including of Spain, Excellencies, everyone everywhere, dear delegation of authorities of Spain, including the highest, welcome to Geneva. Constitutions are locally universal documents. They bear the will and the hopes of the people, the best. Expression of their participation in public affairs, they hold the exemplarity of institutions and, carefully, the greatest standards of humanity. Though Spain has ratified the Optional Protocol aimed at the abolition of the death penalty and withdrawn its reservation in 1998, 27 years later, why is the death penalty still present in the Spanish Constitution, Article 15? Popular initiatives in Spain are only valid for the legal level, including to finally abolish the death penalty. We encourage the Spanish people to demand and Spain's authority to grant rights of constitutional initiative to the people. Finally, to install a climate of peace for the people with their history, past, present, and future, to install a climate of peace with the lively environment, we encourage Spain to continue its memorial process and to greatly increase its responses to climate change. Every life counts. May peace prevail. Thank you, Madam Vice President. HRC · Vice-President [2:35:11]: Thank you. I give the floor to Caritas Internationalis. Caritas Internationalis [2:35:16]: Thank you. Caritas International representing Caritas Spain points to its support and recognition to Spain for the recommendations accepted over the past four years, which provide a basis for public policies where persons living in exclusion and social vulnerability can find their rights upheld. We wish to point to the following urgent measures to meet this goal. for full disability of international law on human rights in Spain, reform of law 25/2014 of 27 November on treaties and other international agreements with a new title to be incorporated on international human rights treaties. Modification of circular 1/2020 of the state's legal service on legal nature of resolutions from committees responsible for human rights treaties. of the United Nations to bring them into line with international human rights law. To promote equality and combat discrimination, signature of the International Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and their Families. And adoption of a comprehensive law on protection and support to victims of human trafficking. To guarantee the right to adequate housing, a new reform of the procedure for eviction established in the law on civil judgments. in application of the rulings of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, ensuring suspension until there is an alternative eviction procedure for vulnerable persons. Guaranteeing the human rights to mental and physical health, urgent adoption of a law on the universal national health system with a step towards equality and access for the most vulnerable, and to ensure that international development cooperation can meet its goals of sustainability and guarantee human rights. a progressive increase in AIDS development until at least 0.4% of GDP in 2030. These are seven tangible proposals for specific change to public policy and legislation to allow enjoyment of human rights to all, and particularly the most vulnerable who are excluded in social, economic and political terms. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:37:32]: Thank you. I now give the floor to Centre Europe. Centre Europe [2:37:40]: Thank you. The Carabanchel Assembly and CETEM participated in the Spain UPR to address violations of the right to health and dismantling of the public health system in the Madrid community. Since we began this communication, the situation has been far from corrected. Indeed, it has worsened. There has been a spectacular rise in August in the healthcare waiting lists in Madrid community, with over a million patients on it, waiting to be seen in the public health system. Furthermore, only two of the three specialised paediatric health beds are available in the Madrid community. It is not a normal thing that children cannot receive adequate health care. We call on Spain to respect its international commitments and ensure health cover for all, overcoming the limited accessibility and the gaps affecting the most vulnerable population groups, as recognized by North Macedonia within the UPR. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:39:01]: Thank you. I now give the floor to a joint statement by BIDS. BIDS [2:39:10]: Thank you, Vice President. This NGO coalition welcomes Spain's participation in its full cycle of the UPR. We congratulate Spain on accepting five recommendations focused on youth rights. This shows the importance of the UPR for mainstreaming and monitoring the rights of young people. Recommendations 50.121, 51.122 and 51.123 call for employment and equal pay for young people, particularly young women. Recommendations 51.58 and 51.7.9, promote campaigns to prevent addiction and to promote the participation of children and young people in developing environmental policies. We recommend that Spain proceed rapidly and efficiently to apply these key recommendations on the rights of young people. We welcome Spain's acceptance of the recommendations to ensure quality education for all. In particular, we recommend adopting specific measures to eradicate school dropout and discrimination within schools against children from vulnerable population groups. In terms of access to healthcare, we welcome the acceptance of recommendation 50.159 to guarantee access to mental health services for children and young people. and recommend extending application of this recommendation to young people aged over 18. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:40:59]: Thank you. I give the floor to Formation Internationale. Formation Internationale [2:41:08]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. I deliver this. Statement on behalf of civil society actors monitoring the situation of the Catalan people within the Kingdom of Spain. We urge States to ensure that all recommendations translate into concrete guarantees under the ICCPR, the ICESCR, and ICERD. The right to self-determination, enshrined in Article 1 of both ICCPR and ICESCR, underpins the legitimate implementation and meaningful enjoyment of all other rights. Its denial gives rise to a wide range of additional violations. Catalan representatives, defenders, civil servants, academics, journalists, NGOs and CSOs have faced selective prosecutions, disqualification from office and unlawful surveillance. In particular, the digital espionage of at least 65 Catalans remains unaddressed. Judicial investigations have been obstructed through broad national security claims, leaving victims without disclosure, transparency or remedy. These practices contravene equality before the law, due process, and political participation as protected under the ICCPR and ICERD. Furthermore, the inconsistent application of the 2024 amnesty law has aggravated the situation, particularly regarding activists falsely accused of terrorism and the case of a rap musician imprisoned on charges of glorifying terrorism. We respectfully call on Spain to: 1. Ensure the full implementation of accepted UPR recommendations with equal attention to all international treaties and conventions. 2. End unfounded prosecutions, apply the amnesty law impartially, and provide effective remedies to victims of unlawful surveillance. 3. Engage in genuine dialogue with Catalan institutions and civil society in line with the right to self-determination. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:43:13]: Thank you. I give the floor to World Evangelical Alliance. World Evangelical Alliance [2:43:18]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. The World Evangelical Alliance, together with our members, the European Evangelical Alliance and the Alianza Evangelica Espanola, thanks Spain for its constructive engagement in the UPR process. We welcome its acceptance of the recommendation promoting non-discrimination, including measures to protect religious minorities through legislative and policy adjustments. We affirm the value of the Human Rights Council and the UPR mechanisms in advancing these commitments. However, it is essential that promises translate into effective measures. In this regard, we wish to highlight the long-standing and unresolved situation of the retired evangelical pastors in Spain who remain excluded from the national pension system. Although Spanish courts have issued successful final rulings in their favor, and although Spain has acknowledged before this Council since the previous cycle that these pensions should be granted, the situation of these affected remains unchanged. This is because no corresponding budgetary provision has been adopted. Correcting this injustice will require only a very modest economic effort, yet it would have a profound impact on those pastors who have served their communities faithfully throughout their lives. We therefore respectfully urge the Government of Spain to give effect to its commitment by allocating the necessary budgetary resources to ensure access to pension for retired Protestant pastors. Such actions would not only deliver a long overdue justice to these affected, but also reaffirm the credibility of Spain's commitment before this Council. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:45:13]: Thank you. I give the floor to Institute for NGO Research by video. Institute for NGO Research [2:45:18]: Thank you. According to Spain's reporting, in 2023, the country adopted the National Plan for the Implementation of the EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism. Yet, it is clear that Spain is not only not doing enough to implement the plan, certain sectors of the government are instead actively promoting antisemitism globally. Spain ranks as one of the European countries with the highest levels of online hate against Jews and an extremely high percentage of population that believes anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and anti-Jewish tropes. Spain's poor standing is sadly not surprising when one sees the highest ranking officials in Spain model attitudes of hatred and contempt. actively fostering an environment of antisemitism that appears to be part of a cynical campaign to maintain the ruling coalition. The primary offender is Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez, who traffics in blood libels and aggression against the Jewish state. Sanchez is an active promoter of the genocide lie, has reportedly sent a naval ship on behalf of Hamas sympathizers to provoke an armed confrontation with the Israeli Navy, and just days ago, outrageously threatened to use nuclear weapons on Israel. Under Sanchez's rule, Spain is a leading proponent of anti-Semitic BDS and incites against Israeli artists and sports teams. The country is also one of the main funders of Palestinian NGOs, in violation of international law, that routinely publish anti-Semitic rhetoric, advocate for the elimination of Israel and Jewish self-determination, and that are operatives of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, an EU-designated terrorist organization. Officials that use anti-Semitism to maintain power reflect a society in crisis. Spain would be wise to start honoring its domestic and international legal obligations and stop promoting discrimination and hatred of Jews. HRC · Vice-President [2:47:19]: Before moving to the next speaker, may I remind all speakers to uphold respect when addressing this chamber and human rights issues. I now give the floor to a joint statement by Union of Arab Jurists. Union of Arab Jurists [2:47:41]: We thank Spain for its constructive engagement with the Universal Periodic Review and for its cooperation with working group. We welcome Spain's continued commitment to advancing human rights at national and international level. We appreciate the adoption of Spain's five years national human rights plan, as well as the 2022 Democratic Memory Law, which is grounded in the principles of truth, justice, repair, creation and non-repetition. We further welcome Spain's legal reforms to strengthen protection against gender-based violence. We also note with appreciation the establishment of the National Office for Human Rights Guarantees in 2022, which works to ensure compliance by the State security forces with national and international standards on elimination of torture. We also recognize Spain's principal leadership in upholding international law, including its ratification of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, and its steadfast support for the rights of Palestinian people. Such commitment reflects Spain's broader role in protecting justice, accountability, and human rights dignity. We request Spain to consider the following recommendations made by the State of Palestine: Continue efforts to fulfill responsibilities as a third state against internationally wrongful acts, in particular the prevention of genocide. Continue efforts to combat all forms of racism, xenophobia, and intolerance. Redouble efforts to establish additional educational infrastructure in rural areas. Finally, we encourage Spain to sustain and strengthen its engagement with the UPR process, and we look forward to witnessing the positive impacts of its implementation of recommendations in the upcoming years. Thank you so much. HRC · Vice-President [2:49:36]: Thank you. I give the floor to Association Has Te Oa.org. HazteOir.org [2:49:43]: Thank you. I come to this Assembly representing a theory and over 300,000 members committed to the right to life, protection of the family and exercise of civil liberties. At the CUPR of Spain, we express serious concerns. Firstly, the right to life. Spain has adopted laws which allow abortion of underage girls right up to the day of the birth, on the pretext of reproduction and sexual health, Spanish women are being cancelled in their maternal expression. A young girl aborting a baby. Imagine the social impact of this double attack on life. The family, parental authority has been usurped by public institutions. There is a detailed plan to break up families as the basic cell of society and indoctrinate people in victimisation, solitude and uniform thinking. New generations are growing up denying biological sex and even mutilating their genitals. On freedom. In Spain, there are serious attacks on religious freedom, with the destruction of the largest cross in the world in the Valley of the Fallen. Likewise, on the freedom of the press, the Government has launched an offensive against the dissidents. expelling free journalism from the parliament. We launch actions for life, the family and freedom, but each time it is more difficult democratically to address this. The ruling party and the president, Pedro Sanchez, his wife, his brother, ministers and the public prosecutor have been involved in many corruption scandals. And these face Pedro Sanchez every day. He is denying them, undermining adversaries, and human rights can no longer be considered protected in Spain. There is a criminal organization governing us. It's the cartel of the sons. HRC · Vice-President [2:51:48]: This was the last speaker that we could accommodate. Before giving the floor to the delegation of Spain for concluding remarks, allow me to inform that out of 324 recommendations received, 303 enjoy the support of Spain, and 18 are noted. Additional clarification was provided on another three recommendations, indicating which parts of the recommendations were supported and which parts were not. I now give the floor back to His Excellency for concluding remarks. Excellency, you have the floor. Spain · Ambassador and Permanent Representative [2:52:26]: Thank you, Vice President. In these particularly difficult moments for multilateralism, we need to strengthen it with commitment to universal human rights. We have taken up the responsibility of being members of this Council. Through our UPR, we will continue to work, convinced that cooperation and dialogue are the way to improve our societies, that crucial pillars based on rights, equality and sustainable development. We have listened attentively to the comments by States and civil society and welcome these. They will be useful to show us the way ahead. We need to work hand in hand in applying the recommendations accepted. We have noted these contributions on the recommendations made in April, which have been reiterated, and we take this exercise very seriously, seeking to improve respect and application of human rights in our country. In addition to the comments made in the room, we particular attentive to comments on the rights of women and we believe that these recommendations on women are extremely valuable. Something else I would mention is the accusations of anti-semitism and This is not something that is a reality for our country. We are, however, very attentive to the suffering in Gaza. We will seek to align the recommendations received with the SDGs, continuing the practice initiated in the previous cycle of the UPR. The experience of this UPR has allowed us to learn from other States how to improve our participation. That's a crucial tool. which is increasingly useful. This, for my country, is a very relevant exercise, and we welcome the participation of all in this collective exercise. We're very conscious that we need to continue working to guarantee enjoyment of human rights. leave no one behind. I want to thank the secretariat of the UPR for its support throughout the year, the countries that made-up the troika, Iceland, North Macedonia and Sudan, and the interpreters, translators and editors, as well as the conference services staff, and all of you for being here with us at this particularly complex time. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:55:16]: I thank His Excellency for this presentation and for the constructive participation of of Spain throughout the UPR process. I now propose that the Council adopts the decision on the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Spain as it appears on the screen. I see no objection. The decision is adopted. Excellencies, distinguished participants, this brings us to the end of this meeting. We will reconvene on Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. to continue with the consideration and adoption of the outcome documents of the other States examined during the 49th session of the UPR Working Group. I hereby declare closed the 30th meeting of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council.