Speech

42nd Universal Periodic Review of human rights: UK statement on Czech Republic

The UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights gave a statement during the Czech Republic’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Rita French
Published
27 January 2023
This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government
Location:
United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Delivered on:
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Rita French

Madam President,

The United Kingdom commends the Czech Republic’s longstanding commitment to promoting and protecting human rights including through their Presidency of this Council.

In particular, we welcome the Government’s commitment to address gender-based violence through the 2030 Gender Equality Strategy.

We welcome too its Strategy for Education Policy, and encourage the Government to end segregation for Roma students and consider anti-discrimination training for teachers.

We recommend:

  1. Ratify the Istanbul Convention, and implement it into domestic law.
  2. Amend the legal definition of rape within the criminal code to be based on a lack of consent rather than use of force or threat.
  3. Pass legislation recognising same-sex unions, ensuring same-sex and heterosexual couples enjoy equal rights and freedoms.

Thank you.

Updates to this page

Published 27 January 2023