Universal Periodic Review 33: Portugal
The UK praised Portugal for its commitment to media freedom & the eradication of human trafficking.
The Universal Periodic Review takes place in Geneva.
Thank you, Mr President,
The UK acknowledges Portugal’s strong commitment to human rights and to the UPR process. We recognise Portugal’s implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, its strong record on media freedom, initiatives to improve migrant integration and progress on gender equality and discrimination.
The UK understands the challenges in tackling domestic and gender based violence. However, given the deaths so far this year, we urge Portugal to maintain momentum and consider what more can be done to prevent abuse from occurring.
The UK commends Portugal for its commitment to eradicating human trafficking and encourages Portugal to sign the Call to Action to End Human Trafficking, Modern Slavery and Forced Labour, to strengthen the global response to this challenge.
We Recommend:
1) Fully implementing the national action plan for domestic violence, in consultation with civil society, to intensify efforts to tackle the practical and social barriers to progress.
2) Adopting an open, merit-based process when selecting national candidates for UN Treaty Body elections.
3) Increasing protection to child victims of trafficking by criminalising sexual exploitation of children trafficked across borders, and increasing practical resources to improve identification of victims and ensure access to specialised victim support and shelter.
Thank you, Mr President.