49th UPR Working Group: Key highlights

In 2023, Armenia submitted its third voluntary mid-term report under the UPR and established a national mechanism (NMIRF) to monitor human rights progress. Armenia has ratified several key international treaties, including the Rome Statute. The country has implemented reforms to promote equality through a draft anti-discrimination law. Armenia also adopted its Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (2025–2027). Additional efforts include legal reforms supporting the rights of persons with disabilities and children, as well as improved inclusive education and child protection systems. Social development has been prioritized, especially in education, healthcare, rural infrastructure, and poverty reduction, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recommendations urged Armenia to adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination laws explicitly protecting sexual orientation and gender identity and improve law enforcement accountability through independent investigations of abuse, torture, and excessive use of force while ensuring human rights protections in detention and the judiciary. Other recommendations focus on promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and addressing gender-based violence through legal and support measures. They also call for improved child protection, education, healthcare - including reproductive and mental health - and stronger social protection for vulnerable groups. 

Grenada recalled that this review takes place in a challenging context, marked by the impact of Hurricane Beryl, the climate crisis, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, the country presented several advancements, particularly in the areas of the environment, education, the rights of persons with disabilities, the fight against gender-based violence, and support for civil society. Grenada has strengthened its national human rights follow-up mechanism with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat. In terms of climate action, the country received USD 44 million from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) following Hurricane Beryl, and is working with the Resilient Islands Initiative to integrate ecosystem-based solutions into its planning. In addition, in 2023, the government introduced a new minimum wage. The “Elevate Her” program, launched in 2024, supports the empowerment of young women, complementing the Spotlight Initiative against violence toward women. Grenada received several recommendations: the creation of a NHRI in line with the Paris Principles, the official abolition of the death penalty, the decriminalization of same-sex relations, and the prohibition of corporal punishment. 

Guinea highlighted several measures, including legislative reforms such as laws on access to public information, protection of persons with albinism, anti-trafficking, and gender-based violence, alongside the establishment of institutions supporting victims’ compensation and justice access. The delegation also noted ongoing efforts to combat torture, gender-based violence, and female genital mutilation, as well as preparations for upcoming democratic elections in 2025, affirming the government’s commitment to uphold human rights, transparency, and inclusivity despite existing challenges. States recommended Guinea to reform national institutions to meet international standards and adopt strong anti-discrimination laws protecting vulnerable groups. They emphasize improving detention conditions, ensuring free and transparent elections with constitutional reforms, strengthening judicial independence, and safeguarding freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. Additionally, they call for protecting human rights defenders, combating gender-based violence and trafficking, reducing poverty through targeted social programs.

The delegation highlighted legal reforms in the justice sector, the adoption of anti-corruption measures, and comprehensive policies on child protection, inclusion, health emergencies, education, social protection, and combating violence against women. Guinea-Bissau established the National Committee on the Eradication of Harmful Practices, which is updating its strategy to eliminate female genital mutilation, and launched the project “No tene diritu a um vida sem violência” to combat violence against women by strengthening victim protection mechanisms and fostering collaboration among ministries, civil society, and other stakeholders. The recommendations urge Guinea-Bissau to strengthen its human rights framework by advancing constitutional reforms, establishing an independent national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles, and enhancing judicial independence and accountability. They emphasize the need for stronger anti-corruption measures and the protection of vulnerable groups. Additionally, the recommendations call for the protection and promotion of fundamental freedoms - especially freedom of expression, assembly, and association - by investigating attacks on journalists and human rights defenders, ending intimidation and arbitrary detentions, reforming laws to align with international standards, and promoting democratic processes.
 

During its fourth UPR, Guyana presented its national report, prepared within the framework of a national follow-up mechanism established in 2021. This mechanism has helped coordinate the country’s international commitments, including through consultations held in 2024 with institutions and civil society. Guyana highlighted its Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, which focuses on protecting vulnerable populations and supporting over 800 community-based projects in areas such as ecotourism, renewable energy, and agriculture. Efforts have been made in access to education: to connect remote regions to the internet, train teachers to support the inclusion of children with special needs. Guyana also emphasized its progress in the areas of the rights of persons with disabilities, the fight against gender-based violence, and access to healthcare. Among the recommendations received by Guyana were the establishment of a national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles, the abolition of the death penalty, the decriminalization of same-sex relations, and the elimination of corporal punishment, particularly against children.

During its review, the delegation of Kenya presented the progress made in the field of human rights, thanks to the coordination of the National Committee on International and Regional Obligations. The country has strengthened the protection of children's rights, notably through the ratification of international protocols and the adoption of a new Children Act in 2022, as well as a national action plan to combat online sexual exploitation. The fight against human trafficking was reinforced through a 2022–2027 action plan and the creation of a victim assistance fund, which has supported hundreds of people, including victims trafficked abroad. Kenya has also strengthened its judicial response, with an increase in prosecutions and convictions related to trafficking. It became the first East African country connected to INTERPOL's international databases on child exploitation. States recommended Kenya to abolish the death penalty and ratify key international human rights treaties. Recommendations focused on strengthening legal reforms, law enforcement accountability, and anti-corruption efforts while protecting freedoms of expression, assembly, and the press. Additionally, Kenya was encouraged to promote gender equality, combat harmful cultural practices, and implement policies addressing social protection, and climate resilience to support vulnerable groups.

Kiribati emphasized its commitment to human rights through enhanced services for survivors of violence, inclusion of marginalized groups in decision-making, and efforts to align domestic laws with international standards despite constitutional limitations. The national delegation also underscored challenges posed by climate change, the importance of traditional practices, child protection measures, and its long-term development plan centered on human rights, while acknowledging ongoing capacity and resource constraints. The recommendations call on Kiribati to ratify and implement key international human rights treaties and establish an independent national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles. States also recommended the importance of legal reforms to promote gender equality, decriminalize same-sex relations, protect vulnerable groups, and ensure judicial independence, freedom of expression, and social protections. Additionally, the recommendations highlight the need to improve access to essential services, address climate change through rights-based strategies, and protect displaced persons and nuclear test survivors.

As part of its development policy, the country introduced the Horizon 2030 Sustainable Development Program, established in partnership with the UN for the period 2023–2027, with a primary focus on poverty reduction in line with the SDGs. Regarding the prevention of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, Kyrgyzstan reaffirmed its commitment, including the prohibition of solitary confinement during pretrial detention and the ratification of the Convention against Torture. Authorities reported a continued decrease in the number of complaints, attributed to the installation of over 900 surveillance cameras in detention facilities and the conduct of more than 3,000 unannounced inspections. Complaint boxes are available in all detention centers, and disciplinary measures have been taken against several officers following investigations. The recommendations addressed to Kyrgyzstan include the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the adoption of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, and the strengthening of measures to combat human trafficking. States also encouraged the continued improvement of the legal and institutional framework in accordance with international human rights standards.
 

During its UPR, Kuwait highlighted the many efforts undertaken since the submission of its previous national report, within the framework of its "Vision for a New Kuwait 2035." A permanent national commission, composed of representatives from relevant public institutions, has overseen the follow-up to the implementation of recommendations, with support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, notably through workshops held in 2022 and 2024. In its statement, the Kuwaiti delegation presented progress in various areas, including improvements in access to healthcare, education, digital services, and humanitarian aid. Also, Kuwait has integrated gender equality into its development strategy, particularly by promoting female entrepreneurship, combating discrimination, and advancing women to leadership positions. Reproductive and mental health programs have been implemented in healthcare facilities. In parallel, efforts have been made for the rights of older persons, who benefit from specialized health services, home visits, telemedicine consultations, and financial and psychosocial support, with the aim of ensuring their autonomy and dignity. Kuwait received several recommendations, including the abolition of the death penalty, the ratification of conventions related to the rights of migrant workers and stateless persons, the establishment of a national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles, the protection of fundamental freedoms, and the strengthening of efforts against trafficking and domestic violence.

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic highlighted progress in legal reforms, and development efforts. The State implemented national strategies addressing human rights, environmental protection, gender equality, and social protection, while also strengthening cooperation with international and regional bodies like the United Nations and ASEAN. The national delegation shared the measures taken in the past years, including laws prohibiting violence against children, expanded access to justice, increased women’s participation in public life, and improved frameworks for environmental and land management. States recommended adopting inclusive, rights-based approaches in development, climate action, and disaster risk reduction, while ensuring the protection and empowerment of women, children, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable groups. They called for stronger human rights safeguards through legal reforms, the establishment of an independent national human rights institution, the abolition or reduction of the death penalty, protection of civil liberties, and accountability for abuses such as enforced disappearances and human trafficking. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of civil society engagement and aligning national laws with international human rights standards.

The national delegation highlighted its efforts to achieve the SDGs, particularly in the areas of health, education, gender equality, and decent work. Despite the progress made, poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity continue to hinder its development. The right to health remains a priority, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Through innovative campaigns such as Kick 4 Life and with the support of partners like USAID, the country has strengthened its health system. Significant progress has also been made in combating gender-based violence, with the adoption of comprehensive legislation in 2022. This law provides for specialized courts, shelters for victims, and rehabilitation centers for perpetrators. Furthermore, Lesotho has engaged in reflection on business and human rights, in collaboration with OHCHR and civil society, to ensure inclusive and rights respecting development. Recommendations were addressed to the country, including the ratification of the Convention against Torture and the protocol on the abolition of the death penalty, as well as the prohibition of corporal punishment.

The delegation of Spain explained that its national report was prepared based on consultations conducted in collaboration with the Ombudsman, civil society, and the relevant ministries. Among the developments, Spain presented its second National Human Rights Plan covering the period 2023–2027. The delegation also highlighted efforts in the area of historical memory. Under the 2022 Democratic Memory Law, Spain is committed to the principles of truth, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-repetition, in line with international recommendations. Spain also emphasized its ongoing commitment to combating gender-based discrimination. The legal definition of consent in sexual offenses has been redefined. Amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure have increased penalties and improved victim support. Through the initiative "Businesses for a Society Free of Gender-Based Violence," 4,693 female victims have gained access to employment over the past five years. Additionally, increased support for postgraduate gender studies has been provided. Recommendations were made to Spain regarding the fight against racism, xenophobia, and all forms of intolerance, combating human trafficking, and ensuring respect for human rights in the development of AI.

One of the developments highlighted during the UPRWG was the establishment of the Swedish Institute for Human Rights in 2022, which received “A” accreditation status from GANHRI in 2023, confirming its compliance with the Paris Principles. Sweden also strengthened its efforts to combat racism and hate crimes. In 2022, the government adopted five targeted action programs addressing Afrophobia, antisemitism, anti-Roma discrimination, Islamophobia, and racism against the Sámi people. Legislation was also amended in July 2024 to better protect against racist hate speech. Regarding the rights of Indigenous peoples, Sweden introduced mechanisms to ensure the effective participation of the Sámi people in decision-making processes that affect them. The Sámi Consultation Act (2022), requires government authorities, and as of 2024, also municipalities and regions, to consult the Sámi Parliament and other Sámi representatives when making decisions likely to impact them. The Truth Commission for the Sámi People, established in 2021, is tasked with investigating historical policies that affected the Sámi, disseminating knowledge about their consequences, and proposing reparative measures. Recommendations were addressed to Sweden during the UPR, including the ratification of international conventions such as ILO Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, Convention No. 190 on violence and harassment, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and the Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers. It was also suggested that Sweden consider establishing a national mechanism to follow up on recommendations from human rights bodies and continue its efforts to combat discrimination, racism, and hate crimes.

The interactive dialogue provided the opportunity to announce a new National Human Rights Action Plan, developed with the participation of national and international experts, to succeed the 2021–2023 plan. Among the measures highlighted by the delegation, there was  the Third Judicial Reform Strategy (2019–2023). Türkiye also emphasized its policies in support of the rights of women, children, persons with disabilities and the elderly, education, and the fight against gender-based violence and early marriage. The country cooperates with national and international partners to address the challenges of irregular migration. Türkiye received recommendations, including to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, align its national human rights institution with the Paris Principles, rejoin the Istanbul Convention on domestic violence against women, ratify the Convention on Enforced Disappearances, and ensure freedom of expression, assembly, and the press. Additional recommendations addressed compliance with decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, the explicit inclusion of protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in legislation, and equitable access to quality education for all.