Universal Periodic Review 33: Costa Rica
The UK calls on Costa Rica to improve processing systems for migrants seeking refugee status.
The Universal Periodic Review takes place in Geneva, Switzerland.
Thank you,
The UK recognises Costa Rica’s strong human rights record, including its commitment towards gender equality, children’s rights, its improvements to LGBT rights, its progressive legislation around freedom of expression and its free and independent media.
However, we regret the lack of comprehensive legal protection against discrimination and the lack of progress on sexual and reproductive rights. We also call on Costa Rica to improve processing systems for migrants seeking refugee status. We urge the Government to finalise the Indigenous Autonomy Bill, implement the National Plan for the restitution of indigenous lands and protect the rights to life and security of person of all beneficiaries of Inter-American Commission on Human Rights precautionary measures.
We recommend:
1) Ensuring the adoption of the protocol allowing access to therapeutic abortion and facilitating access to emergency contraception through the public health system.
2) Adopting an open, merit-based process when selecting national candidates for UN Treaty Body elections.
3) Building institutional capacity for care and protection of victims of human trafficking, and strengthening measures to proactively identify and refer victims to appropropiate support services.
Thank you.