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Document Type: Final Report

Date: 2017 Dec

Session: 37th Regular Session (2018 Feb)

Agenda Item: Item6: Universal Periodic Review

GE.17-23160(E)



Human Rights Council Thirty-seventh session

26 February–23 March 2018

Agenda item 6

Universal periodic review

Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review*

Argentina

* The annex is being issued without formal editing, in the languages of submission only.

United Nations A/HRC/37/5

Introduction

1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance

with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-eighth session from 6 to 17

November 2017. The review of Argentina was held at the 2nd meeting, on 6 November

2017. The delegation of Argentina was headed by the Secretary of Human Rights and

Cultural Pluralism of the Nation of Argentina, Claudio Avruj. At its 10th meeting, held on

10 November 2017, the Working Group adopted the report on Argentina.

2. On 13 February 2017, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of

rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Argentina: Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba and the

United Arab Emirates.

3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution

5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents

were issued for the review of Argentina:

(a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with

paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/28/ARG/1);

(b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High

Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b)

(A/HRC/WG.6/28/ARG/2);

(c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c)

(A/HRC/WG.6/28/ARG/3).

4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Brazil, Czechia, Germany, Norway,

Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the

United States of America and Uruguay was transmitted to Argentina through the troika.

These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review.

I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process

A. Presentation by the State under review

5. The delegation stressed the importance of the universal periodic review and

indicated that Argentina was always open to receiving the recommendations formulated by

United Nations human rights mechanisms. Under the current Government, several special

rapporteurs from the United Nations and the Inter-American human rights systems had

visited the country, thus reversing the country’s previous lack of cooperation with those

systems.

6. Under the current Government, human rights were both a State policy and a

fundamental element in the design of all public policies. For that reason, Argentina was

now implementing an expanded human rights agenda. After years of frustrating self-

isolation, Argentina was now a country open to the world, leaving behind populism and

starting a new period of democratic strengthening.

7. For the first time in its history, Argentina would implement a national human rights

plan. The plan outlined the human rights targets, defined as priorities by each ministry, and

addressed many of the recommendations made to the country by international human rights

mechanisms, including those issued in the context of the universal periodic review.

8. One of the Government’s priorities was to protect and promote the human rights of

indigenous communities by incorporating cultural pluralism as a fundamental part of the

new human rights paradigm in Argentina. That new and comprehensive State policy, which

was in line with basic human rights standards, included ensuring prior consultation of,

access to land by, decent housing for and the enjoyment of cultural rights by indigenous

peoples. In order to properly implement the shift towards the new paradigm, the

Government had moved the National Institute of Indigenous Affairs from the Ministry of

Social Development to the Secretariat of Human Rights and Cultural Pluralism.

9. The delegation stressed that the Government’s objective was to build a country free

of xenophobia, discrimination and racism. It highlighted the adoption of the presidential

decree on the International Decade for People of African Descent and the implementation

of the programme for Syrian refugees as flagship initiatives that embodied the country’s

ideals of integration and dialogue.

10. The State policy of achieving truth, justice and memory about the human rights

violations perpetrated during the military dictatorship was being pursued with increased

efficiency by the current Government. The State continued as the plaintiff in 220 cases

involving crimes against humanity. Under the previous administration the State had brought

to court the head of the armed forces and had opposed all requests for the application of a

more lenient law (the “two for one” law) to the sentencing of persons convicted of crimes

against humanity.

11. Taking into account the federalist nature of the country, the Government was

working to strengthen the Federal Human Rights Council and had signed cooperation

agreements with all provinces in order to promote good human rights practices at the

municipal level. Soon the national committee against torture would be established and the

Ombudsman appointed. The delegation emphasized that Argentina was carrying out, in

collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross, a procedure to identify

“those Argentine heroes fallen in the Malvinas Islands, buried in graves marked as

‘Argentine soldier known only by God’”.

12. The delegation highlighted the creation of the network in support of the right to

know one’s biological identity as an important tool for all those who could not gain access

to the current mechanisms, which covered only the relatives of persons who had been

abducted and disappeared during the military dictatorship.

13. Finally, the delegation underscored the country’s efforts to reduce poverty and

achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, including in the areas of housing and access to

basic services, access to health care, the expansion of existing cash transfer programmes

and the development of social integration policies. The delegation reiterated the

commitment of Argentina to build a fairer and more equal country, based on the values of

peaceful coexistence, intercultural dialogue and respect for diversity.

B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review

14. During the interactive dialogue, 79 delegations made statements. Recommendations

made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.

15. The United Kingdom welcomed the progress made by Argentina in implementing

previous universal periodic review recommendations, in particular the introduction of the

national action plan on preventing and eradicating violence against women and providing

assistance in cases of such violence. It was concerned by reports of increased

criminalization of peaceful social protest, and by prison conditions.

16. The United States commended Argentina for developing its first national action plan

to reduce femicide and violence against women, but observed problems in the protection of

women and in data collection. It remained troubled by reports of torture in detention centres

and by prison conditions.

17. Uruguay encouraged Argentina to redouble efforts to implement the

recommendations formulated by several treaty bodies and aimed at expediting the

establishment of the system of the national mechanism for the prevention of torture in all

provinces.

18. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expressed concern about the excessive use of

force by federal and provincial security forces, the existence of structural discrimination

against indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants and the high level of overcrowding in

prisons.

19. Viet Nam recognized the progress made by Argentina in ratifying and acceding to

international human rights instruments and welcomed the State’s ongoing strategies, and

the priorities it had set, to overcome remaining human rights challenges.

20. Albania congratulated Argentina on the progress it had achieved in combating

violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, but noted that

institutional violence against sexual minorities remained a problem. It acknowledged efforts

in the area of police training and remained concerned about prison overcrowding.

21. Algeria commended Argentina for adopting legislation on domestic work, child

labour, parental responsibility, protection of women and children, and the rights of

indigenous peoples. It encouraged Argentina to intensify efforts in favour of vulnerable

social groups.

22. Angola welcomed the country’s progress on access to health services, access to

information, education, child mortality and birth registration. It was concerned about cases

of domestic violence and inadequate prison conditions.

23. Armenia noted with satisfaction the country’s international leadership in promoting

truth, justice and memory, and its participation in preventing crimes against humanity. It

commended the reduction in maternal mortality and the measures taken against human

trafficking.

24. Australia commended Argentina for its work to protect freedom of expression. It

applauded the country’s national action plan on preventing and eradicating violence against

women and providing assistance in cases of such violence, and welcomed its planned

legislation on protecting stateless persons.

25. Austria commended Argentina for having obtained the convictions of those who

were responsible for human rights violations during the military rule and noted its efforts to

combat institutional violence. However, it referred to ill-treatment in prisons and detention

centres.

26. Azerbaijan congratulated Argentina on its efforts to fight corruption and promote

transparency and access to information. It welcomed the adoption of the Justice 2020

Programme, aimed at strengthening the judicial system and building a robust and efficient

civil service.

27. Bahrain welcomed the first national action plan on preventing and eradicating

violence against women and providing assistance in cases of such violence, but expressed

concern about domestic violence and sexual violence against women, which required

immediate and appropriate State action.

28. Bangladesh appreciated the measures taken by Argentina to reduce maternal

mortality, as well as the proactive efforts to curtail discrimination against indigenous

people. Bangladesh remained concerned about Emergency Decree No. 70/2017,

considering it a regression in the country’s migration legislation.

29. Benin congratulated Argentina for its efforts in promoting the rights of women,

combating human trafficking and protecting the rights of migrants, indigenous people and

persons with disabilities.

30. The Plurinational State of Bolivia welcomed the realization of the second national

map of discrimination and inquired as to what measures had been taken to guarantee the

rights of Bolivian migrants in Argentina.

31. Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomed the adoption of the first national action plan on

preventing and eradicating violence against women and providing assistance in cases of

such violence. It remained concerned by reported cases of violence and arbitrary detention,

particularly regarding young people and children.

32. Botswana commended Argentina for its legislative framework on human rights.

However, it noted reports of child labour, discrimination against minority groups and high

unemployment among women.

33. Brazil praised the creation of the national register of femicides and the significant

reduction of the maternal mortality rate. It encouraged Argentina to develop protocols to

guarantee the rights of women and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in

detention.

34. Bulgaria commended the adoption of the national action plan on preventing and

eradicating violence against women and providing assistance in cases of such violence and

the establishment of the National System for the Prevention of Torture.

35. Burkina Faso welcomed the country’s efforts to improve its child protection system,

including birth registration, as well as the adoption of a national action plan to prevent and

eradicate violence against women.

36. Canada welcomed the willingness of Argentina to receive visits from United Nations

and regional human rights mechanisms. It encouraged Argentina to take legislative

measures to ban racial profiling in law enforcement.

37. Chile valued the efforts of Argentina to implement previous recommendations, such

as the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a

communications procedure and of the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness,

among others.

38. China praised the achievements of Argentina, including the enhancement of the

social protection system, the development of national plans on education and health care,

the fight against domestic violence and the establishment of the indigenous peoples’

advisory and participatory council.

39. Colombia noted a number of positive measures adopted by Argentina, such as those

aimed at combating human trafficking, the approval of the national plan of action on

preventing and eradicating violence against women and providing assistance in cases of

such violence, and the launch of the national plan for early childhood.

40. Costa Rica welcomed the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on

the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure. It expressed concern about the

effectiveness of the programmes against child abuse and about the incidence of smoking as

a cause of premature and avoidable death.

41. Côte d’Ivoire commended the legislative and institutional reforms in the area of

human rights undertaken by Argentina following the second cycle of the review. In

particular, it welcomed the ratification of the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness

and the adoption of the Justice 2020 Programme.

42. Croatia welcomed the adoption of the national plan of action on preventing and

eradicating violence against women and providing assistance in cases of such violence for

the period 2017–2019. It was concerned about violence, including sexual, physical and

mental abuse, against women and girls in the country.

43. Czechia welcomed the participation of Argentina in voluntary midterm universal

periodic review reporting.

44. Ecuador congratulated Argentina for its recognition of human rights obligations as

binding for companies and invited it to share its valuable experience in the

intergovernmental working group mandated with the elaboration of an international legally

binding instrument on business enterprises on human rights.

45. Egypt praised Argentina for the measures taken to promote human rights, especially

through the ratification of international instruments and the implementation of the

recommendations received during the previous review. Egypt encouraged Argentina to

continue implementing the remaining recommendations.

46. Estonia welcomed the efforts made by Argentina to prevent gender-based violence

and the setting up of the indigenous peoples’ advisory and participatory council. It urged

Argentina to take steps to reduce overcrowding in detention centres and guarantee the rights

of detainees.

47. France welcomed the implementation by Argentina of the recommendations

received in its previous review and welcomed the significant progress achieved in the fight

against gender-based violence.

48. Georgia commended Argentina for establishing the unit responsible for the

implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other

Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and welcomed the steps taken to

combat trafficking in persons.

49. Germany commended Argentina for its cooperation with international human rights

institutions.

50. Ghana commended Argentina for the implementation of a significant number of

recommendations accepted during its previous review, including the ratification of various

international human rights instruments, and for its commitment to reduce the number of

unregistered births within indigenous communities.

51. Greece expressed appreciation for the acceptance by Argentina of international

norms. Greece also welcomed the State’s ratification of the Paris Agreement and its

cooperation with international human rights mechanisms.

52. Guatemala expressed concern about the information regarding disproportionate

responses by law enforcement authorities to indigenous peoples’ protests and encouraged

Argentina to resume dialogue with indigenous communities. It welcomed the initiative of

the Ombudsman to establish an observatory on femicide.

53. Honduras recognized the legislative measures taken by Argentina in the areas of

prevention of torture, sexual crimes and trafficking in persons, among others.

54. In response to some of the questions received, Argentina reiterated its firm

commitment to cooperate with the international human rights mechanisms. Within that

framework, Argentina had supported the creation of various special procedure mandates,

including those on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons and on protection

against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Argentina was also part of several international human rights initiatives, including

initiatives against the death penalty, torture, enforced disappearance and genocide.

55. The delegation stressed that the national human rights action plan constituted a

conceptual, planning and operational tool that facilitated the coordination of work across

ministries. In particular, the delegation referred to the efforts made in the area of indigenous

peoples’ rights, including with respect to intercultural education, women’s rights, access to

health, land demarcation and free, prior and informed consent.

56. The national statistical system, criticized in the past for its inefficiencies, had been

restructured and had resumed publication of reliable data on poverty indicators. The data

indicated that 28.8 per cent of the population lived below the poverty line, with 6 per cent

in extreme poverty. The delegation detailed the efforts taken to address the situation in the

areas of access to water, housing, social security and older persons.

57. The delegation referred to the Justice 2020 Programme, a comprehensive plan of

justice reform whose medium- and long-term objective was to establish, as a State policy, a

vision of a more inclusive, transparent, modern and independent administration of justice.

The Programme would incorporate open-government techniques into the judicial process

by ensuring the active participation of the population in public affairs.

58. Iceland commended Argentina for promoting human rights worldwide and noted

with appreciation that it had provided a midterm report on the implementation of the

recommendations accepted during its previous review.

59. India commended Argentina for its progress in recognizing differences in its society

and noted its efforts to eradicate poverty and promote equality. India also noted reports of

violence and arbitrary action by security forces against socially disadvantaged people.

60. Indonesia welcomed the efforts made by Argentina in enhancing children’s rights

through the establishment of the national strategic plan for the period 2016–2021. It also

noted with appreciation the measures taken to promote gender equality.

61. The Islamic Republic of Iran expressed concern, inter alia, over the continuation of

xenophobic, Islamophobic and stigmatizing discourse by officials and politicians and the

persistence of structural discrimination against indigenous peoples and people of African

descent.

62. Iraq appreciated the efforts made by Argentina to combat human trafficking by

punishing perpetrators and compensating victims, and praised the establishment of a special

national programme to issue humanitarian visas to Syrian victims of conflict.

63. Ireland acknowledged the country’s continued advocacy for human rights on the

global stage and appreciated its efforts to combat violence against women. Ireland

acknowledged legislative advancements, but was concerned that implementation remained

weak in some cases.

64. Israel noted the important measures taken by Argentina since the previous review

and reiterated its concern that those responsible for the attack on the Israeli Embassy and

the Argentine Israelite mutual association had not been identified and tried.

65. Italy commended Argentina for respecting the rights of vulnerable groups and

addressing violence against women, in particular through the adoption of the 2016 national

action plan on preventing and eradicating violence against women and providing assistance

in cases of such violence.

66. Libya welcomed the positive developments that had taken place in many areas of

human rights. It praised the important legislation enacted in Argentina and the ratification

of two International Labour Organization conventions and the Convention on the Reduction

of Statelessness.

67. Madagascar noted the State’s ratification of international human rights instruments.

It welcomed the establishment of the National System for the Prevention of Torture, but

noted that some gaps remained in the implementation of the recommendations issued under

the previous review.

68. Malaysia welcomed the adoption of the national action plan on preventing and

eradicating violence against women and providing assistance in cases of such violence.

However, it noted challenges in that area, such as coordination between federal and

provincial governments and a lack of safe shelters for victims of gender-based violence.

69. Maldives welcomed the progress made by Argentina in advancing women’s rights,

and the establishment of the indigenous peoples’ advisory and participatory council, which

enabled the participation of indigenous communities in programmes and plans in a number

of areas.

70. Mauritania noted with satisfaction the State’s ratification of a number of

international instruments and the adoption of laws aimed at better harmonizing its national

legislation with international standards.

71. Mexico acknowledged the progress achieved since the previous review cycle and

welcomed the establishment of the national register of femicides.

72. Montenegro noted the establishment of the National System for the Prevention of

Torture. While acknowledging the significant progress made towards the eradication of

poverty among children, it noted the existing disparities among provinces.

73. Morocco commended Argentina for its efforts to promote equality between men and

women and to combat femicide and racial discrimination. It welcomed the country’s

commitment in the areas of enforced disappearance, combating corruption, access to justice

and access to information.

74. Namibia commended Argentina for the actions it had taken to implement the

recommendations from the previous review, especially the incorporation of intercultural

education into its education system.

75. The Netherlands welcomed the creation of the national women’s council and of the

department of sexual diversity within the secretariat responsible for human rights. It also

welcomed the action taken to ensure that perpetrators of violence against women were held

to account.

76. Nicaragua welcomed the progress made by Argentina since its previous review,

including the development of the national human rights plan and the ratification of

international human rights instruments.

77. Norway noted the large number of unsafe abortions and the fact that gender-based

violence remained a serious problem. It also noted a significant gap between the legislation

protecting the rights of indigenous peoples and its implementation. It commended

Argentina for passing a law on access to public information.

78. Panama highlighted the State’s submission of a midterm report, the legislative and

policy progress achieved in the area of human rights since its last review, and the

ratification of several international human rights instruments.

79. Paraguay welcomed the approval of the national plan of action on preventing and

eradicating violence against women and providing assistance in cases of such violence. It

thanked Argentina for organizing the next global conference on the reduction of child

labour.

80. Peru highlighted progress in the fight against corruption and in the area of access to

public information. It also noted the creation of the indigenous peoples’ advisory and

participatory council.

81. Portugal commended Argentina for the progress made since its review in 2012 and

congratulated it for the ratification of the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

82. Qatar commended Argentina for the national strategic plan for the period 2016–

2021, entitled “Argentina teaches and learns” and for the 2016 national plan of action for

early childhood.

83. The Republic of Korea welcomed the adoption of the National Code of Criminal

Procedure, the Justice 2020 Programme and the national action plan on preventing and

eradicating violence against women and providing assistance in cases of such violence.

84. Saudi Arabia welcomed the 2016 national plan of action for early childhood, aimed

at ensuring the comprehensive development of children in situations of social vulnerability.

85. Senegal noted the ratification of international human rights instruments and

commended the social policies of Argentina, such as the non-contributory pension system

and the family allowance system.

86. Serbia welcomed the launch of the Justice 2020 Programme and highlighted the

establishment of the national plan for comprehensive assistance to and support for victims

of institutional violence. Serbia also commended the progress in the empowerment of

women and the measures adopted to fight child sexual abuse.

87. Sierra Leone noted the progress made to map discrimination across Argentina and

commended the establishment of the national plan of action on preventing and eradicating

violence against women and providing assistance in cases of such violence.

88. Slovakia acknowledged efforts to tackle gender-based violence. Nevertheless, it

noted with concern the increasing rate of femicide and the persistence of discriminatory

stereotypes regarding the roles of women and men. It was also concerned about the

criminalization of social protest and poor detention conditions.

89. Slovenia welcomed the information provided by Argentina on the steps taken to

address poor prison conditions, but remained concerned about the stagnation of the

maternal mortality rate, especially in rural areas.

90. South Africa welcomed the progress made by Argentina since the previous review,

including the implementation of the human rights action plan and observance of the

national day of Afro-Argentines and African culture.

91. Spain welcomed the ratification by Argentina of a number of international human

rights instruments, as well as the progress made in the areas of violence against women,

penitentiary conditions, and freedom of expression and the plurality of media.

92. The State of Palestine welcomed the efforts made by Argentina to improve the

quality of education, including through the adoption of the national strategic plan entitled

“Argentina teaches and learns”, and the progress achieved in the fight against

discrimination.

93. Sweden noted that, while the launch of the national strategy to combat violence

against women was a first, positive step, violence against women remained a major

concern. It also noted the lack of a general prohibition on corporal punishment of children.

94. Switzerland welcomed the efforts made in the area of women’s rights, but noted that

more progress was needed with regard to sexual and reproductive rights. It shared the

concerns of the Committee against Torture regarding recurrent practices of torture and ill-

treatment in detention.

95. Thailand welcomed the efforts made by Argentina to ensure access to justice for

persons with disabilities and the country’s inclusion of children with disabilities in the

development of the education system. It recognized the country’s continuing efforts to

improve prison conditions.

96. Timor-Leste commended Argentina for its adoption of the Justice 2020 Programme

and the Act on the prevention and punishment of trafficking in persons and assistance to

victims. It also welcomed efforts to promote women’s rights.

97. Ukraine commended the significant steps taken in creating a strong legislative

framework to safeguard human rights. While noting the remarkable efforts made in gradual

economic liberalization, it deemed it important to ensure a balance by providing the social

assistance necessary to meet the indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals.

98. The delegation reaffirmed that freedom of expression and access to information

were pillars of the Argentinian democratic system and noted the creation, in 2015, of the

national communications authority as an independent supervisory mechanism. It

highlighted the participatory reform process of the regulatory framework regarding

audiovisual communications services, telecommunications and new information

technologies, as well as the implementation of a protocol for the protection of journalists

investigating, inter alia, cases of drug trafficking, human trafficking, corruption,

kidnappings, terrorism and abuse of authority.

99. In order to promote public policies on women rights, in 2017 Argentina had

strengthened its national mechanism for gender equality by creating the National Women’s

Institute, a decentralized entity with financial autonomy and the rank of State secretariat, a

decision that had followed an unprecedented increase in the mechanism’s budget.

Argentina had also incorporated the crime of femicide into its legal system, with a penalty

of life imprisonment, without the possibility of mitigating circumstances. In addition, the

innovative figure of “linked” femicide (the act of killing a person, male or female, linked by

family or emotional ties to someone with whom the perpetrator maintained a relationship,

for the purpose of causing suffering to the person with whom the perpetrator had a

relationship) had been introduced in the Criminal Code, expressing a comprehensive

approach to the concept of violence against women.

100. With regard to the right to health, the delegation highlighted the implementation of

the universal health coverage strategy, aimed at generating a new health-care system able to

provide all people with adequate access, free of charge, to quality health services.

101. The Government’s primary focus regarding sexual and reproductive rights was on

ensuring access to information, free contraceptive methods and legal interruption of

pregnancy in the types of cases listed in the Criminal Code. Within that framework, the

Ministry of Health, together with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social

Development, had designed the national plan for the prevention and reduction of

unintended pregnancy in adolescents. The plan was aimed at improving sexual and

reproductive health services, ensuring informed decisions by adolescents and strengthening

public policies to prevent sexual violence and abuse and facilitate access to legal

interruption of pregnancy.

102. In the area of education, the Government’s objectives were to guarantee equal access

to and completion of primary and secondary education for all children, reduce existing

sociocultural differences through the use of new technologies and tools in the learning

process, and ensure comprehensive sexual education by training teachers in both public and

private schools.

103. With regard to migration, since 2012 Argentina had granted residence to more than

1,350,000 persons and special regimes of migratory regularization had been implemented

for Dominican, Korean, Senegalese and Haitian nationals who resided in Argentina.

104. The delegation noted the creation, in September 2017, of the national disability

agency as a decentralized agency within the General Secretariat of the Presidency and the

approval of the national disability plan. Labour inclusion, access to justice, accessibility in

education and transport were among the agency’s priority tasks. The delegation further

highlighted the federal disability council as a space for dialogue and planning that

facilitated the introduction of disability as a transversal issue across government, provincial

and municipal policies.

105. In the area of public security, the delegation pointed out the creation of the

directorate for the control of the integrity of the police and security forces, charged with

developing prevention and control policies based on the Code of Conduct for Law

Enforcement Officials, the Code of Ethics for Public Officials, as well as other national and

international standards and norms.

106. Argentina thanked all delegations for their constructive participation. It welcomed

the encouraging comments and recommendations received and stressed that Argentina

would work to address them and to fulfil the voluntary commitments it had made for the

third cycle.

II. Conclusions and/or recommendations

107. The following recommendations will be examined by Argentina, which will

provide responses in due time, but no later than the thirty-seventh session of the

Human Rights Council:

107.1 Ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of the World

Health Organization (WHO) (Costa Rica); Consider the possibility of ratifying

the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (Ecuador); Consider

the ratification of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (Peru);

107.2 Sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (Guatemala);

107.3 Ratify the Inter-American Convention against All Forms of

Discrimination and Intolerance (Paraguay);

107.4 Ratify the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial

Discrimination and Related Forms of Intolerance (Côte dIvoire) (Paraguay);

107.5 Consider the establishment of a permanent governmental mechanism

to implement the universal periodic review recommendations (Georgia);

107.6 Consider the establishment or the strengthening of the existing

national mechanism for coordination, implementation, reporting and follow-up

(Portugal);

107.7 Adopt an open, merit-based selection process when selecting national

candidates for United Nations treaty body elections (United Kingdom of Great

Britain and Northern Ireland);

107.8 Continue collaborating with the special procedures of the Human

Rights Council on cases of enforced or involuntary disappearance (Chile);

107.9 Continue its active commitment on the international level for the

prevention of genocide and crimes against humanity (Armenia);

107.10 Continue its efforts to reform its human rights institutions in line

with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the

promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles) (Australia);

107.11 Accelerate the process of designation of the new Ombudsman

(Georgia); Designate a new Ombudsman as soon as possible (Guatemala);

Designate an Ombudsman as soon as possible considering that the national

ombudsmans office has been without leadership for the past eight years

(Republic of Korea);

107.12 Appoint an independent ombudsperson to guarantee more effective

control of compliance with human rights norms by State organs (Slovakia);

107.13 Designate a new ombudsperson and implement without delay the

national preventive mechanism against torture (Costa Rica);

107.14 Establish and appoint an ombudsman for the rights of children and

adolescents (Costa Rica); Establish an ombudsperson for the rights of children

and adolescents, in accordance with the Paris Principles (Honduras);

107.15 Put into place a comprehensive national plan to ensure protection,

respect, and promotion of human rights for all (Egypt);

107.16 Develop and implement a national human rights plan with clear,

specific measurable goals to ensure the civil, political, social and economic

rights of all citizens (Indonesia);

107.17 Develop and implement, in close consultation with civil society, a

national human rights plan with clear, specific and measurable goals (Ireland);

107.18 Undertake an inclusive process with a wide range of civil society

representatives when implementing the universal periodic review

recommendations (Greece);

107.19 Further mainstream human rights throughout its administration,

both at national and provincial levels, to ensure that legal reforms result in

improved human rights protection, especially for women and lesbian, gay,

bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (Netherlands);

107.20 Elevate racial discrimination to a criminal offence (Slovakia);

107.21 Effectively implement the national plan against discrimination with

the active participation of all interested groups (Panama);

107.22 Develop a broad national multisectoral strategy to address the rights

of indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants and other vulnerable groups subject to

discrimination (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);

107.23 Multiply its awareness-raising campaigns and trainings on combating

racial discrimination (Morocco);

107.24 Take steps to address persistent cultural discrimination against

indigenous people and people of African descent, including awareness-raising

and the establishment of quantitative measures promoting their participation

at the highest level and in decision-making positions (Sierra Leone);

107.25 Intensify efforts to consolidate a broad national multisectoral

strategy to combat structural discrimination, including verbal expressions,

against indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants and other vulnerable groups,

considering their specific needs and capacities, through the empowerment of

their rights and fair reparation mechanisms (Ecuador);

107.26 Continue advancing in the adoption of measures aimed at the non-

discrimination of people on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender

identity (Colombia);

107.27 Adopt a new law on anti-discrimination that makes specific reference

to sexual orientation and gender identity (Albania);

107.28 Amend the Law on discriminatory acts to recognize sexual

orientation and gender identity as prohibited grounds for discrimination before

its next review under the universal periodic review (Czechia);

107.29 Enhance national efforts to combat discrimination, xenophobia and

racism, in particular the discriminatory practices against migrants and people

of African descent (Egypt);

107.30 Adopt a comprehensive and integral policy against discrimination in

all its forms, especially against women, people of African descent and

indigenous peoples, along with a respective plan of action (Honduras);

107.31 Take measures to put an end to incidents of racial discrimination

against certain social groups and xenophobic hate speech and stigmatization

from public and political officials (Iraq);

107.32 Put in place a robust legal and judicial instrument aimed at

combating discriminatory practices against indigenous peoples and persons of

African descent and promote their inclusion in the area of human rights

(Madagascar);

107.33 Intensify efforts aimed at eliminating structural discrimination,

especially against the indigenous people and people of African descent

(Namibia);

107.34 Investigate and criminalize cases of xenophobic and stigmatizing

discourses expressed by public officials and politicians (Sierra Leone);

107.35 Take all necessary measures to ensure equal access to all rights for

the entire population, particularly the population of African descent and

indigenous peoples (Algeria);

107.36 Continue the normative progress made in the area of environment

and the strengthening of related bodies (Morocco);

107.37 Strengthen measures to combat the negative effect of the economic

activities of companies on the environment and biodiversity (Algeria);

107.38 Investigate all allegations of abuse of police authority and prosecute

the perpetrators (Slovakia);

107.39 Address hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and

intersex persons (South Africa);

107.40 Provide training to security forces, penitentiary services, prosecutors

and judges in order to reduce the cases of institutional violence and

discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression

(Israel);

107.41 Protect all detainees, including those in police custody, from excessive

use of force (Germany);

107.42 Review practices of detention without a court order and address the

issue of unduly protracted detentions (Bosnia and Herzegovina);

107.43 Take adequate and credible measures to put an end to incidents of

arbitrary detention in line with international law (India);

107.44 Take concrete steps to implement fundamental safeguards in police

custody, and prohibit the use of police stations as places for long-term detention

(Ghana);

107.45 Reduce protracted pretrial detention by seeking alternatives to

confinement in all possible cases and by ensuring more expedient court

processes (Canada);

107.46 Introduce thorough and impartial investigation of allegations of

torture and other ill-treatment in detention and ensure that alleged

perpetrators are brought to justice (Austria);

107.47 Ensure that all allegations of excessive use of force or arbitrary

behaviour by State officials, including those that may amount to torture or ill-

treatment, are investigated (Germany);

107.48 Adopt appropriate measures to prevent and eliminate excessive use of

force and summary executions by security forces, and ensure that perpetrators

are brought to justice (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);

107.49 Improve treatment of prisoners by encouraging provinces to

implement the national mechanism to prevent torture, increasing training for

police and prison officials and addressing overcrowding (United States of

America);

107.50 Take urgent measures to guarantee better conditions of detention and

that the application of preventive detention is not the norm, strictly limiting its

duration through alternative non-custodial measures (Bolivarian Republic of

Venezuela);

107.51 Continue efforts to improve penitentiary system conditions and to

reduce episodes of violence in prison (Italy);

107.52 Continue its efforts to improve the conditions of detention and

consider the possibility of adopting alternative measures to detention in order

to reduce overcrowding in prisons (Mauritania);

107.53 Continue to take measures to improve prison conditions, namely

overcrowding, poor medical care and unsanitary conditions (Portugal);

107.54 Take steps aimed at reducing overcrowding in detentions centres and

to improve detention conditions (Slovakia);

107.55 Prohibit by law the confinement of more persons than the number of

spots available in places of detention. In addition, establish by law mechanisms

to immediately solve overcrowding (Slovenia);

107.56 Endow the annual professional technical training plan with specific

modules on human rights and continue providing resources for the

programmes aimed at expanding and renovating prison infrastructure, with

the objective of improving the conditions of the penitentiary system and

combating prison overcrowding (Spain);

107.57 Take immediate and concrete steps to rectify the deficiencies in

Argentinian prisons, detention centres and police stations, such as

overcrowding, poor access to health services, insufficient food, bad ventilation,

precarious sanitary conditions and squalor (Sweden);

107.58 Implement measures for the improvement of prison facilities and

thus reduce overcrowding in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum

Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) (Angola);

107.59 Ensure that detainees in pretrial detention are separated from

persons convicted by final judgement (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);

107.60 Adopt alternative measures to detention aimed at reducing the

overpopulation in prisons and provide alternative measures to detention for

pregnant women and mothers with young children (Albania);

107.61 Take further concrete steps to implement the United Nations Rules

for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for

Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules), to ensure that all women in prison

receive equal access to services and that the special needs of women in prison,

including of their children, are appropriately addressed (Thailand);

107.62 Take steps to guarantee the effective implementation of the national

system to prevent torture, including by encouraging provinces to establish by

law independent and adequately resourced local preventive mechanisms in

compliance with the requirements of the Optional Protocol to the Convention

against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or

Punishment (Ghana);

107.63 Establish the national preventive mechanism against torture in

accordance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and

ensure independent and effective investigation and prosecution of all cases of

alleged ill-treatment of persons in detention facilities and prisons as well as

remedies for victims (Czechia);

107.64 Establish a national mechanism for the prevention of torture as set

out in the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (Estonia);

Implement the national prevention mechanism adopted in 2012 in application

of the Optional Protocol of the Convention against Torture (France); Advance

in the establishment of the national mechanism for the prevention of torture

envisioned in Law No. 26827 (Mexico); Implement the national preventive

mechanism against torture (Slovakia);

107.65 Allocate the necessary human, technical and financial resources to

accelerate the implementation of the national preventive mechanism for the

prevention of torture, in compliance with the provisions in Law No. 26827

(Honduras); Establish the national committee for the prevention of torture as

soon as possible by providing it with all the human, financial and material

resources to function effectively, including through the appointment of

independent and qualified members (Switzerland);

107.66 Expedite the establishment of the national mechanism against torture

in all provinces, provide it with human and financial resources and protect its

independence (Paraguay);

107.67 Consolidate the implementation of the 2020 programme in the

framework of justice reform (Angola);

107.68 Apply all the necessary measures to continue strengthening the

federal public defender and the provincial defenders in order to guarantee the

effectiveness of their functions in all regions of the country (Panama);

107.69 Adopt new measures to investigate and judge those responsible for

the attack on the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association in 1994 (Israel);

107.70 Step up the efforts concerning the investigations of human rights

violations and crimes against humanity that occurred during the military

dictatorship between 1976 and 1983, and continue the prosecution of those

responsible for these violations, strengthening the pillar on memory, truth,

justice and reparatory policies of the action plan on human rights (Nicaragua);

107.71 Continue efforts concerning investigations of past human rights

violations, including those related to economic crimes, and the related judicial

processes (Peru);

107.72 Pursue its international efforts in the promotion of truth, justice,

reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence (Armenia);

107.73 Continue its efforts to ensure the effective representation of all

minority groups in the highest decision-making positions (Timor-Leste);

107.74 Guarantee freedoms of peaceful assembly and association and of

opinion and expression by, inter alia, ensuring that the use of police force

during demonstrations is proportionate and in line with the law the provinces

set up in 2011 (Germany);

107.75 Recognize the important work of human rights defenders and ensure

their effective protection against threats and violence due to their work (United

Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);

107.76 Establish a mechanism for comprehensive assistance for and

protection of human rights defenders, including indigenous civil society

activists, and include them in its design (Czechia);

107.77 Continue the adoption of measures aimed at ensuring the effective

implementation of the Law on access to public information in all branches of

the State (Uruguay); Regulate and implement the law on access to public

information (Brazil); Continue strengthening actions directed at the

implementation of the law on access to public information (Spain);

107.78 Continue its efforts to encourage mass media and journalists

engagement with human rights promotion (Bulgaria);

107.79 Enhance the participation of civil society in the strengthening of

human rights through appropriate support to civil society organizations, in

particular those who focus on the most vulnerable groups, notably children,

minorities and indigenous peoples (Austria);

107.80 Take all necessary practical measures to tackle forced labour,

modern slavery and human trafficking in line with the 2014 Protocol to the

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) (United Kingdom of Great Britain

and Northern Ireland);

107.81 Continue its efforts to bring provincial and municipal regulations on

trafficking into line with national and international standards (Bosnia and

Herzegovina);

107.82 Develop and implement a national trafficking plan to combat human

trafficking and exploitation, including of women and for the purposes of child

labour and domestic work (Indonesia);

107.83 Continue fighting against human trafficking (Senegal);

107.84 Strengthen the federal council to combat human trafficking and

exploitation and put in place a national trafficking plan (Sierra Leone);

107.85 Consider allocating an adequate budget for the agencies responsible

for investigating human trafficking and for taking care of victims (Islamic

Republic of Iran);

107.86 Strengthen measures to guarantee the right to an adequate standard

of living to indigenous peoples and peasant communities (Plurinational State of

Bolivia);

107.87 Continue to advance in the recognition of the differences, and the

respect for the rights, of vulnerable groups, bearing in mind the duty to ensure

equality among all people, paying special attention to the poorest provinces and

the systemic inequalities that may exist between rural and urban areas

(Nicaragua);

107.88 Continue to promote sustainable economic and social development to

raise peoples living standards (China);

107.89 Implement its national housing and national infrastructure plan

(South Africa);

107.90 Continue implementing the universal pension for older persons, and

ensure that it reaches all intended recipients (Namibia);

107.91 Make sure that in the process of modernizing the social security

system special attention is paid to the conformity of the adopted decisions to

international human rights standards (Ukraine);

107.92 Continue efforts to eradicate poverty and ensure the reduction of

inequalities in the distribution of wealth and access to economic and social well-

being by all people (Bangladesh);

107.93 Introduce further measures to sustain and reinforce progress made in

poverty reduction (Viet Nam);

107.94 Ensure the provision of adequate resources for poverty reduction

programmes (Saudi Arabia);

107.95 Step up efforts aimed at increasing the employment of women in the

formal sector, including ensuring equal pay to women in the labour market

(Botswana);

107.96 Redouble efforts to eliminate inequalities between men and women

regarding salary remuneration and participation in high-level employment

positions (Uruguay);

107.97 Take necessary measures to ensure gender equality in wages in the

labour sector (Iraq);

107.98 Improve the sanitary situation in the northern provinces where the

majority of indigenous people live, in accordance with the cultural

characteristics of that group of Argentinian society (Iraq);

107.99 Continue the implementation of the national health programme for

indigenous peoples in order to reduce inequalities in the health status of

indigenous peoples (Maldives);

107.100 Further strengthen institutional building in public health to ensure

peoples right to health (China);

107.101 Step up its efforts so as to further reduce the rate of early pregnancy

(Burkina Faso);

107.102 Enact pending legislation that would provide women legal access to

fulsome reproductive health services, including comprehensive sexuality

education, family planning, prevention and response to sexual and gender-

based violence, safe and legal abortion, and post-abortion care (Canada);

107.103 Ensure the effective implementation in all provinces of the protocol

for the comprehensive care of persons entitled to legal termination of

pregnancy and of the national plan on comprehensive sexual education

(France);

107.104 Ensure that access to legal abortion is available on equal terms in all

regions across the country (Iceland);

107.105 Promote public policies to prevent early pregnancy and ensure access

to education and to sexual and reproductive health and rights (Israel);

107.106 Take further steps to remove obstacles that may occur in accessing

reproductive health products and services, paying special attention to women

who have been victims of rape (Italy);

107.107 Take all necessary measures to significantly decrease the level of

maternal mortality (Montenegro);

107.108 Develop policies to reduce high maternal mortality rates due to

unsafe abortions, including the adoption of measures to ensure broad,

affordable access to available abortion medication (Slovenia);

107.109 Guarantee access to legal abortions in all jurisdictions throughout the

country, supported by publicity campaigns on the right to legally interrupt

pregnancy in cases provided for by law, as well as training for health-care

workers (Slovenia);

107.110 Decriminalize abortion in all circumstances and ensure that women

and girls can access safe and legal abortion (Iceland);

107.111 Take steps to ensure that no woman or girl is subject to criminal

sanctions for abortion (Norway); Implement all necessary measures, including

legal measures, so that under no circumstances can women and girls be

criminally prosecuted for having solicited or obtained an abortion

(Switzerland);

107.112 Ensure safe access to legal abortion, including for female rape

victims, within the public health system in all regions. Initiate a public debate

on the decriminalization of abortion (Germany);

107.113 Continue its positive practice of incorporating intercultural education

into the education system as part of the recognition of ethnic diversity

(Azerbaijan);

107.114 Continue the efforts to improve universal access to education (Viet

Nam);

107.115 Enhance efforts to increase the educational infrastructure in the

poorest provinces (Qatar);

107.116 Continue its efforts to guarantee the provision of resources and

infrastructure in the area of initial and secondary education so the quality

standards are ensured (State of Palestine);

107.117 Continue enhancing the implementation of public policies on

education and health (Libya);

107.118 Continue enacting laws and strengthen policies aimed at providing

women with protection and enhancing their roles in society (Bahrain);

107.119 Grant ministerial rank to the national council for women (Paraguay);

107.120 Redouble efforts to achieve permanent coordination between the

national council for women and the provincial and municipal offices for the

implementation of national gender equality plans (Guatemala);

107.121 Refrain from further budgetary cuts for the national council for

women (Slovakia);

107.122 Extend the coverage of gender equality programmes and institutions

such as the national council of women into rural areas in order to combat

gender-based discrimination and violence (Mexico);

107.123 Make further efforts to advance gender parity and protect the rights

and freedoms of women and girls, including by considering ways to address

economic discrimination (Australia);

107.124 Continue its efforts aimed at combating the persistence of

discriminatory stereotypes concerning the roles and responsibilities of women

and men in the family and in society (Morocco);

107.125 Continue efforts to promote equal opportunities between men and

women by strengthening the implementation of the quota law with respect to

electoral lists and the functioning of the tripartite equal opportunities

commission, among other initiatives (Nicaragua);

107.126 Continue to take effective measures to promote gender equality and

to combat violence against women (China);

107.127 Implement effectively legislation on violence against women to

combat misogynous stereotypes, discrimination and violence (Bosnia and

Herzegovina);

107.128 Ensure that government entities budget more resources to implement

the national action plan to reduce violence against women, increase support

and legal protection for victims and improve national data collection (United

States of America);

107.129 Ensure effective implementation of plans and strategies to curb

gender-based violence and implement pending legislation to provide legal

access to reproductive health services (India);

107.130 Continue efforts to lower rates of violence against women (Libya);

107.131 Strengthen human rights education as a pillar of prevention of

gender-based violence (Slovakia);

107.132 Fully implement its policies aimed at curbing violence against

women, promoting equal opportunities for men and women and eliminating

discrimination stereotypes of their respective roles in the family and society

(Namibia);

107.133 Continue efforts to strengthen the implementation of legislation on

violence against women (Malaysia);

107.134 Continue to strengthen the role of the national council for women and

continue working to eradicate violence against women (Chile);

107.135 Continue its efforts to provide a swift and effective government

response to violence against women and girls, including by strengthening the

role of the national womens council, by providing it with adequate budgetary

and human resources for implementing, monitoring and evaluating the national

plan of action for prevention, assistance and eradication of violence against

women 20172019 (Croatia);

107.136 Ensure the effective implementation, including by ensuring

disaggregated data, effective public policies and necessary resource allocation,

of the national plan of action for prevention, assistance and eradication of

violence against women 20172019 (Bangladesh);

107.137 Ensure the effective implementation of the national plan of action for

prevention, assistance and eradication of violence against women 20172019,

established by Law No. 26485 (Croatia); Fully implement the national action

plan to prevent and eradicate violence against women and to assist victims, of

which France welcomes the adoption (France); Ensure the effective

implementation of the national plan of action for prevention, assistance and

eradication of violence against women (Iceland);

107.138 Allocate adequate budgetary resources for the effective

implementation of the national action plan on eradication of violence against

women and to ensure that sufficient safe shelters for women are available

(Estonia);

107.139 Allocate the necessary human, technical and financial resources for

the implementation of the national plan of action for the prevention and

eradication of violence against women and assistance to victims for the period

20172019 (Honduras);

107.140 Allocate adequate budgetary resources to the effective

implementation of its national action plan for the prevention, assistance and

eradication of violence against women and ensure that sufficient safe shelters

for women victims are available and easily accessible in every province

(Ireland);

107.141 Continue the effective implementation of the national plan of action

for prevention, assistance and eradication of violence against women 20172019

(Maldives);

107.142 Take further steps in order to prevent gender-based violence and

ensure that such cases of violence are effectively investigated, prosecuted and

sanctioned, envisaging the comprehensive implementation of the 20172019

national action plan for the prevention, assistance and eradication of violence

against women (Portugal);

107.143 Advance in the implementation of the national action plan for the

prevention, assistance and eradication of violence against women with the

objective to continue strengthening actions aimed at combating violence against

women and reducing the number of deaths of women caused by such violence

(Spain);

107.144 Implement the national strategy for the prevention, assistance and

eradication of violence against women 20172019, and ensure continuation of

this work beyond 2019 (Sweden);

107.145 Allocate sufficient resources to ensure effective implementation of the

national plan to combat violence against women (Norway);

107.146 Continue to raise awareness regarding the criminal nature of

domestic violence and keep on bringing those responsible before the courts

(Serbia);

107.147 Allocate additional financial and human resources to policies and

programmes aimed at combating violence against women and girls

(Netherlands);

107.148 Improve prosecution of femicide and all forms of violence against

women and ensure that victims have access to shelters and other support

services, including health services (Czechia);

107.149 Strengthen its actions to prevent and combat femicide and other

forms of gender-based violence (Montenegro); Strengthen the measures to

prevent and combat femicide and other forms of gender-based violence

(Paraguay);

107.150 Further strengthen access to justice for victims of violence, in

particular of gender-based violence, by providing effective legal aid and

addressing gender stereotypes among justice officials (Thailand);

107.151 Continue to ensure that sufficient and safe shelters for women victims

of gender-based violence are available and accessible for all (Timor-Leste);

107.152 Provide shelters and legal assistance to victims of domestic violence,

and present a draft law on domestic violence (Bahrain);

107.153 Continue addressing domestic violence through education, awareness

campaigns, victims services and the effective application of the law against

perpetrators, as well as by considering elevating the national council of women

to a full ministry (Canada);

107.154 Further strengthen legal provisions and social protection mechanisms

to effectively protect women who are victims of domestic violence (Malaysia);

107.155 Step up its ongoing efforts regarding the birth registration of all

children (Greece); Take measures to improve the process of birth registration

(Angola);

107.156 Strengthen measures to ensure access to free birth registration of

children, in particular of indigenous children (India); Adopt the necessary

measures to ensure universal birth registration with an emphasis on indigenous

children (Paraguay);

107.157 Strengthen efforts to ensure that children and adolescents throughout

the country enjoy equal access to social rights (Qatar);

107.158 Further expand the universal child allowance programme coverage

and incorporate a large number of eligible children and adolescents, especially

those from marginalized groups and as yet undocumented children (Austria);

107.159 Include children from birth and not only after 45 days of life in the

national early childhood plan (Colombia);

107.160 Strengthen legislation aimed at the protection of children from all

forms of ill-treatment and violence (Bahrain);

107.161 Adopt legislation prohibiting all forms of corporal punishment of

children in all settings (Sweden);

107.162 Strengthen efforts in the elimination of child labour, including

enforcing legislation on the minimum age of work (Botswana);

107.163 Ensure child labour law enforcement, and investigation and

prosecution of trafficking offences and publish key labour and law enforcement

data on child labour (United States of America);

107.164 Take all the necessary measures to conduct a nationwide assessment

of all manifestations of child sexual exploitation and adopt a national action

plan to end it (Islamic Republic of Iran);

107.165 Continue to take measures to prevent child trafficking, sexual

exploitation and sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography

(Portugal);

107.166 Adopt a national action plan to end child sexual exploitation (Sierra

Leone);

107.167 Continue adapting legislation, at the federal, provincial and local

levels, to the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities, ensuring the participation of organizations that represent persons

with disabilities in those processes (Chile);

107.168 Promote inclusive education for persons with disabilities and reduce

progressively the special schools (Israel);

107.169 Carry out appropriate actions in order to harmonize its internal

legislation with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

(Panama);

107.170 Fully implement relevant laws to promote the rights of indigenous

people and to ensure their safety in realizing their economic and civil rights

(Republic of Korea);

107.171 Take measures to eliminate discrimination against indigenous people

and ensure their easy access to justice and the right to property (India);

107.172 Take the necessary legislative measures in order to make progress in

the regulation and implementation of the demarcation of indigenous lands

(Brazil);

107.173 Enhance participation of and consultation with indigenous peoples

and communities on public policies affecting them, including with regard to

national resource exploitation and territorial claims, taking into account

relevant provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of

Indigenous Peoples (Canada);

107.174 Redouble efforts to combat discrimination against indigenous peoples

and people of African descent and, in addition, continue to strengthen the

national institute against discrimination, xenophobia and racism (Colombia);

107.175 Ensure that indigenous peoples are fully involved in the process of

drafting legislative or administrative measures that could affect them, and that

projects affecting them would be subjected to a process of prior consultation

(Estonia);

107.176 Implement the prerogatives of the consultative and participatory

council on indigenous peoples created in 2016 (France);

107.177 Conclude the survey of the ownership of lands traditionally occupied

by indigenous communities as envisioned in Law No. 26160 in order to fully

guarantee the rights of indigenous people, especially territorial rights and the

right to previous consultation, in compliance with international treaties ratified

by Argentina as well as the national constitution (Germany);

107.178 Take further steps to ensure indigenous peoples right to consultation,

to obtain their free, prior and informed consent before proceeding with legal

and administrative measures that may affect their rights (Norway);

107.179 Adopt targeted policies and programmes to address structural

discrimination against indigenous peoples and people of African descent (South

Africa); Consider the possibility of developing a national strategy to address

the rights of indigenous peoples and other groups that are subject to

discrimination (State of Palestine);

107.180 Strengthen the measures aimed at integrating indigenous peoples in

relation to the administration of justice, health and education, through the

increase of intercultural services such as interpreters and bilingual professors

(Peru);

107.181 Facilitate access to the labour market for indigenous peoples, people

of African descent and migrants and make sure they receive all social benefits

(Senegal);

107.182 Provide basic health-care services to indigenous communities and

consider eliminating the structural discrimination against them and the

migrant community (Islamic Republic of Iran);

107.183 Strengthen measures to ensure the human rights of migrants and

their families (Plurinational State of Bolivia);

107.184 Guarantee that the decree of necessity and urgency that limits the

procedural guarantees in deportation proceedings does not restrict the human

rights of migrant population (Mexico);

107.185 Strengthen its migration laws to ensure protection of all migrants and

their families against all forms of discrimination and adopt comprehensive

public programmes with adequate budgetary resources for their effective

implementation (Indonesia);

107.186 Ensure access to fundamental human rights for all individuals

residing in Argentina, including foreign nationals, regardless of their

immigration status (Bangladesh);

107.187 Strengthen the legislation to combat statelessness by adopting the

new draft bill on the protection of the stateless (Côte dIvoire);

107.188 Accelerate its efforts to enact legislation on the protection of stateless

persons (Australia).

108. All conclusions and/or recommendations contained in the present report reflect

the position of the submitting State(s) and/or the State under review. They should not

be construed as endorsed by the Working Group as a whole.

III. Voluntary pledges and commitments

109. Argentina assumed the following voluntary commitments:

(a) Argentina commits to further strengthen and consolidate national and

provincial human rights institutions for the protection of human rights, including in

particular the national human rights plan, the Ombudsman’s Office and the national

mechanism for the prevention of torture;

(b) Argentina assumes the firm commitment to continue the State policies

leading to the construction of memory, the search for truth, and access to and the guarantee

of justice for all human rights violations of the past and also for those of the present and the

future;

(c) Argentina commits to make great advances regarding development policies

with a human rights focus, by incorporating economic, social and cultural rights and the

Sustainable Development Goals into the planning of public policies and creating

mechanisms of inclusion in order to reduce poverty;

(d) Argentina commits to continue promoting the necessary reforms to achieve

better standards of transparency, access to information, production of public data and

statistics in order to have a better knowledge of the human rights situation in the country;

(e) Argentina commits to deepen the policies to prevent and combat institutional

violence, and to train the security forces and the penitentiary system in order to fulfil the

United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson

Mandela Rules) and other human rights standards.

Annex

[English/Spanish only]

Composition of the delegation

The delegation of Argentina was headed by His Excellency Mr Claudio Avruj,

Secretary of Human Rights and Cultural Pluralism and composed of the following

members:

• Sr. Claudio AVRUJ, Secretario de Derechos Humanos y Pluralismo Cultural de la Nación;

• S.E. Sr. Marcelo CIMA, Embajador, Representante Permanente en Ginebra;

• Sra. Silvana GIUDICI, Subsecretaria de Estado, Vicepresidenta del Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones (ENaCOM);

• Sr. Brian SCHAPIRA, Subsecretario de Protección de Derechos Humanos, Secretaría de Derechos Humanos y Pluralismo Cultural de la Nación;

• Sra. María Gabriela QUINTEROS, Dirección General de Derechos Humanos, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto;

• Sr. Leonardo SZUCHET, Secretario Ejecutivo del Plan Nacional de Derechos Humanos, Secretaria de Derechos Humanos y Pluralismo Cultural de la Nación;

• Sr. Alejandro COLLIA, Secretario Ejecutivo del Consejo Federal de Derechos Humanos, Secretaría de Derechos Humanos y Pluralismo Cultural;

• Sra. Carla MAJDALANI, Directora Nacional de Comunicación, Información y Difusión, Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres;

• Sr. Francisco MIGUENS, Director Nacional de Cooperación Internacional, Ministerio de Educación y Deportes de la Nación;

• Sra. Érica COVALSCHI, Directora de la Agencia Nacional de Discapacidad;

• Sr. Damián E. ARABIA, Director de Ejecución de Pruebas de Integridad, Ministerio de Seguridad de la Nación;

• Sr. Julián CURI, Subdirector Nacional de Migraciones, Dirección Nacional de Migraciones;

• Sr. Siro DE MARTINI, Asesor del Ministerio de Justicia y Derechos Humanos de la Nación;

• Sra. Gabriela PERROTA, Coordinadora del Programa Nacional de Salud Sexual y Procreación, Responsable del Ministerio de Salud de la Nación;

• Sra. Carla MORETTI, Asesora de la Jefatura de Gabinete del Ministerio de Salud de la Nación;

• Sra. Anabel B. ALFONSIN CANO, Asesora Legal de la Dirección General de Derechos Humanos del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto;

• Sr. Julio MERCADO, Ministro, Misión Permanente en Ginebra;

• Srta. Victoria GOBBI, Secretario de Embajada, Misión Permanente en Ginebra;

• Sr. Leandro ABBENANTE, Secretario de Embajada, Misión Permanente en Ginebra;

• Sra. Paula VILAS, Secretario de Embajada, Misión Permanente en Ginebra;

• Srta. Daniela GUTIERREZ ALVARO, Secretario de Embajada, Misión Permanente en Ginebra;

• Srta. María Eugenia VAZQUEZ POL, Misión Permanente en Ginebra;

• Sra. Malika ROUSSEAU, Misión Permanente en Ginebra.