58th Session of the HRC: Key Highlights

Norway accepted 184 out of 285 recommendations, noted 81, and partly supported 20. The country's highlights include a continued focus on gender equality, strengthening protections for LGBTI+ rights, and advancing indigenous rights, particularly for the Sami people. Norway has also made progress in addressing gender-based violence, with strengthened laws and support systems for victims. The country has maintained its commitment to climate action, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, and has prioritized fair asylum procedures and the protection of refugees.

Albania accepted 239 out of 253 recommendations, noted 14. Key highlights include efforts to align national laws with international human rights standards, such as ratifying the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Albania has also strengthened anti-corruption measures, advanced gender equality (including criminalizing femicide), and focused on improving the rights of minorities, including Roma, LGBTI+, and persons with disabilities.

Côte d’Ivoire accepted 226 out of 273 recommendations, noted 37, and partially accepted 10. Key highlights include commitments to strengthening legal and institutional frameworks for human rights, gender equality, prison conditions, judicial efficiency, and democracy. The country has excluded the presumption of consent in defining marital rape and ratified international treaties such as the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR. The government is integrating accepted recommendations into a revised National Human Rights Plan and ensuring regular monitoring and reporting.

Democratic Republic of the Congo accepted 235 out of 284 recommendations and noted 49. Key highlights include efforts to align national laws with international human rights standards, particularly through the ratification of key treaties and strengthening legal protections for vulnerable groups. The country has focused on enhancing judicial independence, combating gender-based violence, and improving detention conditions. Reforms have also been initiated to protect press freedom and promote economic and social rights.

Portugal accepted 252 out of 281 recommendations, partially accepted 11, and noted 18. Key highlights include strengthening protections against domestic and gender-based violence, raising the minimum marriage age to 18, and adopting the Fifth National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (2025-2027). Portugal has also prioritized housing rights, launching emergency measures to address the crisis, and reinforcing protections for migrant workers despite not being able to ratify the UN Convention on Migrant Workers. Efforts to combat racial discrimination have been strengthened, along with measures to enhance law enforcement accountability, including the introduction of body cameras for security forces.

Bhutan accepted 124 out of 202 recommendations, partially accepted 11, and noted 67. The country has focused on enhancing human rights and welfare through various programs, particularly in education, gender equality, and healthcare. Guided by Gross National Happiness, Bhutan integrates human rights into all development goals. Highlights include the Accelerating Maternal and Child Health Programme, the ‘One Child - One Egg’ initiative, and the National Education Policy. Bhutan aims for 30% women in decision-making by 2029 and has introduced measures to address gender-based violence, promote inclusive workplaces, and strengthen the child justice system. The country’s efforts to combat corruption have led to a rise in the Corruption Perception Index. Bhutan is also focused on improving home ownership and disability inclusion and is committed to ratifying key human rights treaties, including the Convention Against Torture.

Dominica accepted 109 out of 163 recommendations and noted 54. The country is committed to advancing human rights through initiatives in environmental sustainability, legal reforms, and the protection of vulnerable groups. Key efforts include the passage of Family Bills, a 10-MW geothermal power plant project for 100% renewable energy by 2030, and legislative and electoral reforms. Dominica also ratified the Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation to support implementation, particularly given the resource constraints defaced by Small Island Developing States.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) accepted 143 out of 294 recommendations, partially accepted 7, and rejected 144. The country emphasized its commitment to prioritizing the rights and interests of its people, focusing on rural development, quality education, public health, and the right to food. Key efforts include policies to close the gap between urban and rural areas, enhance healthcare, and improve agricultural production. The DPRK reaffirmed its rejection of politically motivated recommendations and stressed that sovereignty issues, such as accession to international conventions, are internal affairs.

Brunei Darussalam supported 159 out of 248 recommendations, partially supported 7, and noted 82 recommendations. The country emphasized its commitment to international human rights conventions, particularly those concerning persons with disabilities, women, and children. Brunei acknowledged the importance of collaborating with regional and international partners while ensuring that the implementation of recommendations aligns with its national context, culture, and beliefs. Some recommendations were not fully supported due to inaccurate assumptions or discrepancies with Brunei’s current initiatives or timelines. The country expressed its intention to continue advancing human rights in a manner consistent with its values and context.

Costa Rica received 299 recommendations, accepting 244, partly supporting 1, and noting 54. The delegation reaffirmed its strong commitment to the UPR mechanism, emphasizing its role in improving human rights practices through reflection, analysis, and international cooperation. The country highlighted the fourth cycle as a significant opportunity for internal reflection and strengthening actions related to human rights. Costa Rica expressed gratitude for the constructive recommendations received and its ongoing commitment to defending all human rights globally, particularly those related to freedom of expression, environmental rights, the abolition of the death penalty, and gender equality.

Equatorial Guinea accepted 163 out of 218 recommendations and noted 55. The country has focused on promoting human rights through various initiatives, particularly in justice reform, gender equality, and police development. Key highlights include the abolition of the death penalty through the 2022 Penal Code revision, the reinforcement of women’s political participation with 35% female representation in the legislature, and the establishment of a Scientific Police force to enhance criminal investigations. Additionally, Equatorial Guinea has implemented a national plan to combat human trafficking, launched a Children’s Parliament, and ratified the Mérida Convention against corruption. The country is committed to improving education access with free preschool and primary education and has made strides in penal reform, including the abolition of child labor. Equatorial Guinea continues to collaborate with international partners like UNDP and UNICEF and is state dedication to fulfilling its human rights obligations.

Ethiopia accepted 252 out of 316 recommendations, partially accepted 12, and noted 52. The country has prioritized human rights through national reforms, with a strong emphasis on transitional justice, peace building, and governance. Key initiatives include the adoption of a Transitional Justice Policy to address past human rights violations, the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, and the reintegration of former combatants. Ethiopia is also advancing a National Dialogue to resolve longstanding political and social disagreements. Education, healthcare, and economic development continue to be key focus areas, alongside Ethiopia’s commitment to finalizing the 3rd National Human Rights Action Plan.

Qatar accepted 245 out of 317 recommendations and noted 72. The country's highlights include continued efforts to strengthen labor rights, particularly for migrant and domestic workers, through legislative reforms and cooperation with the ILO. Qatar has also prioritized women’s empowerment, with increased participation in education, the workforce, and diplomacy. The country emphasized its commitment to family protection, launching a Family Charter to reinforce rights and responsibilities within households. While maintaining the death penalty for serious crimes, Qatar reaffirmed its adherence to fair trial guarantees. Additionally, new laws are being finalized to enhance protection for children and persons with disabilities. On the international stage, Qatar remains active in mediation diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and sustainable development initiatives, with a focus on education, health, and disaster relief.

The delegation of Nicaragua did not attend the adoption session for its UPR outcome. The country received 279 recommendations. During the session, the President of the Human Rights Council outlined a series of diplomatic and procedural steps aimed at encouraging Nicaragua to resume its cooperation with the UPR mechanism. The Council requested the President to undertake appropriate actions and report back during the 59th and, if needed, the 60th session. The adoption of Nicaragua’s UPR outcome was deferred to the 60th session, with flexibility to reschedule if cooperation resumes.