Human Rights Council
Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review
Thirty-eighth session
Geneva, 3–14 May 2021
Draft report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review*
Estonia
Introduction
1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-eighth session from 3 to 14 May 2021. The review of Estonia was held at the 4th meeting, on 4 May 2021. The delegation of Estonia was headed by H.E. Ms. Eva-Maria Liimets, Minister of Foreign Affairs. At its 10th meeting, held on 7 May 2021, the Working Group adopted the report on Estonia.
2. On 12 January 2021, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Estonia: Bangladesh, Netherlands and Senegal.
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 Estonia:
(a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a);1
(b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b);2
(c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c).3
4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Canada, Germany, Haiti, Panama, Portugal on behalf of the group of friends on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Uruguay was transmitted to Estonia through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review.
I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process
To be completed by 21 May 2021
A. Presentation by the State under review
B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review
5. During the interactive dialogue, 95 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.
II. Conclusions and/or recommendations
6. The following recommendations will be examined by Estonia, which will provide responses in due time, but no later than the forty-eighth session of the Human Rights Council.
6.1 Continue the significant rate of accession to the main international conventions and additional protocols (Morocco);
6.2 Ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) of the International Labour Organization, the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);
6.3 Step up efforts in ratifying international human rights treaties and optional protocols, including the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, Optional Protocol to Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Czechia);
6.4 Consider ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Philippines);
6.5 Ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Rwanda);
6.6 Ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Indonesia);
6.7 Ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families to advance on the SDG targets 5.4, 8, 10 and 16 (Paraguay);
6.8 Sign and ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Egypt);
6.9 Consider ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Senegal);
6.10 Consider ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Bangladesh);
6.11 Accede to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Burkina Faso);
6.12 Consider ratifying the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) of the International Labour Organization (Philippines);
6.13 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Rwanda);
6.14 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Belgium);
6.15 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Côte d’Ivoire);
6.16 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Greece);
6.17 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Italy);
6.18 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Kazakhstan);
6.19 Take all necessary measures to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Maldives);
6.20 Consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Argentina);
6.21 Step up efforts to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure (Albania);
6.22 Continue the national consultation and preparation for accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Romania);
6.23 Continue efforts to eliminate violence against women and domestic violence and ratify the Optional Protocol to Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Austria);
6.24 Accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as well as to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Germany);
6.25 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women on complaint and inquiry mechanisms, and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Lithuania);
6.26 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Azerbaijan);
6.27 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the Convention on Cluster Munitions (Panama);
6.28 Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Paraguay);
6.29 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Portugal);
6.30 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (France);
6.31 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Mongolia);
6.32 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure and to strengthen and increase awareness among children about the individual complaint mechanism (Slovakia);
6.33 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as well as the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure (Luxembourg);
6.34 Ensure that all State policies and programmes are compliant with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Azerbaijan);
6.35 Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (France);
6.36 Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Italy);
6.37 Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Japan);
6.38 Take necessary steps to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Slovakia);
6.39 Accede to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Senegal);
6.40 Constructively finalize consideration of the possible accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Ukraine);
6.41 Consider signing and ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Argentina);
6.42 Redouble the efforts towards the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Chile);
6.43 Ratify the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, as previously recommended in the previous UPR cycle (Spain);
6.44 Ratify the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons (1954) and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (1961) (Australia);
6.45 Continue efforts to ratify the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education 1960 (Republic of Korea);
6.46 Ratify the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education (Rwanda);
6.47 Ensure regular visits to the country of the Human Rights Council Special Thematic Procedures and, as a matter of priority, arrange for the visit of the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues (Belarus);
6.48 Consider acceding to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (Malta);
6.49 Continue measures to strengthen the national human rights institution (Nepal);
6.50 Further strengthen the independence of the national human rights institution with the aim of ensuring its highest accreditation status (Ukraine);
6.51 Continue implementing the recommendation of the Human Rights Committee of 2019 to ensure that its National Human Rights Institution is fully in line with the Paris Principles, in particular by further strengthening the independence of the Chancellor of Justice and providing the institution with sufficient resources (Uruguay);
6.52 Continue efforts to further strengthen the national human rights institution and provide it with all requisite resources (Pakistan);
6.53 Ensure that the National Institution for Human Rights complies with the Paris Principles and maintains its full independence (Egypt);
6.54 Strengthen the efforts to bring the national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles (Kazakhstan);
6.55 Step up efforts to ensure that the national human rights institution of Estonia is fully in line with the Paris Principle, in particular by further strengthening the independence of the Chancellor for Justice (Luxembourg);
6.56 Maintain the efforts aimed at ensuring complete freedom of action in the Consultative Committee on Human Rights, in line with the Paris Principles (Morocco);
6.57 Continue making practical steps aimed at the development of the institutional and human rights infrastructure to better implement its human rights obligations (Turkmenistan);
6.58 Establish a standing National Mechanism for the Implementation, Reporting and Following-up on human rights recommendations, bearing in mind the possibility of receiving cooperation to do so within the framework of SDG 16 and 17 (Paraguay);
6.59 Continue its awareness raising and training activities on human rights for the general public to raise the legal awareness across the country (Turkmenistan);
6.60 Pursue ongoing efforts in order to strengthen economic, social and cultural rights (Turkmenistan);
6.61 Ensure an open, merit-based process when selecting national candidates for UN Treaty Body elections (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);
6.62 End the practice of annual "commemorative events" in honor of former Waffen-SS legionnaires and Nazi accomplices (Russian Federation);
6.63 Continue promotion of worldwide remembrance for victims of crimes against human rights by the Nazi and Soviet Communist totalitarian regimes (Ukraine);
6.64 Prohibit in Law the holding of events that glorify the Nazis and their accomplices, and introduce criminal liability for this (Belarus);
6.65 Reinforce efforts on the legislative front against discrimination on the basis of ethnic origin, race or language, particularly in the areas of education and employment, and continue promoting social inclusion and cultural diversity (Republic of Korea);
6.66 Improve laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion and ethnicity and criminalize hate speech and incitement to religious and ethnic hatred (Saudi Arabia);
6.67 Adjust its criminal legal framework to include comprehensive protection against hate speech and crimes (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);
6.68 Scale up efforts in combatting discrimination and hate crimes (Nigeria);
6.69 Effectively combat incitement to hatred and ensure that all hate crimes and incidents of hate speech are thoroughly investigated and perpetrators prosecuted (Azerbaijan);
6.70 Take effective steps to prohibit any form of discrimination and hate crimes against anyone on the ground of religion or belief, ethnicity and disability (Bangladesh);
6.71 Enact legislation on hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and uniformly and consistently apply enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation across all grounds (Canada);
6.72 Adopt a legal framework that offers comprehensive protection against hate speech and incitement to hatred (Chile);
6.73 Take effective legislative and administrative measures to combat racial discrimination, xenophobia and hate crimes against ethnic minorities (China);
6.74 Amend laws to define hate crime and prohibit it in line with international law particularly articles 19 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Pakistan);
6.75 Take all measures to combat discrimination and hate speech targeting people on the basis of their ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation and incorporate these provisions into the penal code (France);
6.76 Take effective administrative and legislative measures to combat hate speech online and offline (Germany);
6.77 Criminalise hate speech and to adopt provisions of the Penal Code to make hate motivation an aggravating circumstances when committing a crime and effectively combat incitement to hatred (Israel);
6.78 Align article 151 of the Criminal Code in order for the legal framework to provide comprehensive protection against hate speech and hate crimes owing to (Jordan);
6.79 Ensure comprehensive protection against hate speech and hate crimes and enforce deterrence through stricter punishment (Malaysia);
6.80 Enact legislation that criminalizes hate speech, including on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (Malta);
6.81 Take further measures towards development and implementation of a comprehensive protection against hate speech and hate crimes (Slovakia);
6.82 Criminalise hate speech and adopt provisions of the Penal Code that would make hate motivation an aggravating circumstance when committing a crime (Slovenia);
6.83 Adopt a clear and specific legal framework to prevent and combat hate crimes in order to ensure conducting comprehensive, prompt and impartial investigations and ensuring accountability of the perpetrators (Syrian Arab Republic);
6.84 Prohibit all aspects of support, including financial support, to any activity that includes incitement to or carrying out violent acts linked to hate motives (Syrian Arab Republic);
6.85 Extend anti-discrimination legislation to include discrimination in the areas of housing, healthcare, social welfare, education, and provision of goods and services on all prohibited grounds; fully implement existing legislation; and clearly define hate crimes in legislation (United States of America);
6.86 Take concrete measures to prevent and combat hate crimes, including by improving public awareness and training for law enforcement agencies (Republic of Korea);
6.87 Adopt amendments to the Criminal Code that recognize the hate motive as an aggravating circumstance in the commission of crimes as well as combat effectively cases of incitement to hatred (Russian Federation);
6.88 Make the necessary amendments to the Equal Treatment Act in order to ensure equal protection against discrimination and intolerance (Bahrain);
6.89 Implement urgently the recommendations of the treaty bodies to amend the Equal Treatment Act to ensure that all forms of discrimination are prohibited and provide victims with effective remedies (Belarus);
6.90 Amend the Equal Treatment Act to ensure that it prohibits all direct, indirect and intersectional forms of discrimination (North Macedonia);
6.91 Amend the Equal Treatment Act and provide equal protection against discrimination on all the grounds prohibited under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in all spheres of life (Czechia);
6.92 Amend the Equal Treatment Act to ensure that it prohibits discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, also in areas not related to working life (Denmark);
6.93 Amend the Equal Treatment Act to include the explicit prohibition of discrimination based on religion and belief, age, disability or sexual orientation (Germany);
6.94 Amend the Equal Treatment Act so that discrimination is prohibited on all grounds in all spheres of society (Iceland);
6.95 Consider strengthening the Equal Treatment Act in order to include the prohibition of discrimination based on religion, age, disability or sexual orientation, in all areas of society (Peru);
6.96 Amend the Equal Treatment Act to ensure that it provides equal protection against discrimination on all the grounds and effective remedies for victims of discrimination (Montenegro);
6.97 Amend the anti-discrimination law to provide equal protection on all grounds for discrimination, by extending the Equal Treatment Act to other fields than employment (Sweden);
6.98 Strengthen efforts to protect LGBTI persons from hate speech and address discrimination, including by amending the Equal Treatment Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status in all areas of public life (Australia);
6.99 Promote the revision of the Equal Treatment Law, so that discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sexual characteristics is prohibited in all areas of society (Uruguay);
6.100 Amend the Equal Treatment Act to provide a clear basis for protection against discrimination based on disability (Greece);
6.101 Adopt the necessary implementation legislation for the Registered Partnership Act as to ensure its full implementation (Netherlands);
6.102 Continue working on the regulation of same-sex unions, by adopting the provisions that allow the full application of the Registered Partnership Act approved in 2014 (Spain);
6.103 Ensure the equal rights of same sex-couples in line with the registered Partnership Act of 2016 by amending secondary laws or the Family Law Act (Sweden);
6.104 Pass legislation to bring the Registered Partnership Act into force and ensure its full implementation (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);
6.105 Improve the development of rights for LGBTI persons including by adopting implementation provisions for the Registered Partnership Act, to ensure full implementation of the Act (Austria);
6.106 Adopt implementing provisions for the Registered Partnership Act to ensure its full implementation (Belgium);
6.107 Ensure full implementation of the Registered Partnership Act by adopting all necessary provisions (Czechia);
6.108 Accept all implementation provisions for the Registered Partnership Act adoption of which was an important step forward but which is still lacking the Bill of Implementation (Finland);
6.109 Implement fully the Registered Partnership Act; through the implementation of provisions regarding cohabitation laws, in order to fully recognise the rights of same-sex families (Ireland);
6.110 Establish a comprehensive strategy to address the growing tendency in racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia (Turkey);
6.111 Improve its legislation in order to ensure that crimes of incitement to hatred, violence and discrimination are punished more severely in line with international standards (Uzbekistan);
6.112 Enact legislation that guarantees equal protection against discrimination based on all prohibited grounds enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in all spheres (Argentina);
6.113 Consider further measures in addressing the gender segregation in the labour market by creating an enabling environment, and creating more opportunities for female students, in fields such as science, technology and engineering; and through measures that would help reduce family burden on women (Bhutan);
6.114 Reinforce measures against discrimination, xenophobia and racism, including through legal reforms and concrete actions (Brazil);
6.115 Address intolerance and racism through concerted public awareness and education programs that foster social cohesion and promote diversity and inclusion, with consideration of new arrivals in society (Canada);
6.116 Amend the Penal Code so that the definition of rape encompasses any non-consensual sexual act (Chile);
6.117 Increase the efforts to eradicate all forms of violence and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity (Chile);
6.118 Promote gender equality and effectively protect the rights of vulnerable groups including women, children and persons with disability (China);
6.119 Ensure the full and horizontal implementation of measures against intolerance, by enacting relevant legislation (Cyprus);
6.120 Adopt and implement a comprehensive national strategy against all forms of discrimination based on racial, ethnic, national and religious stereotypes (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea);
6.121 Stop systemic discrimination due to the language barrier, particularly in areas of employment, housing, education, healthcare and access to services indispensable for ensuring adequate standard of living and enjoying cultural rights (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea);
6.122 Prohibit discrimination on the base of race, ethnicity, colour or religion in all spheres of life through effective implementation of anti-discrimination legislation, policies and strategies (Pakistan);
6.123 Launch a public debate on issues concerning ethnic and cultural diversity aimed at promoting tolerance towards different cultures, religions and sexual orientations within the Estonian society (Netherlands);
6.124 Pursue the policy of eradicating inequalities between men and women by taking measures to increase the participation of women in political and public life, particularly in decision-making positions (Djibouti);
6.125 Adopt the necessary measures to eliminate gender stereotypes and the pay gap, as well as promote the participation of women in public and political life, including those belonging to national minorities (Ecuador);
6.126 Formulate a national strategy to combat the various manifestations of racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia (Egypt);
6.127 Continue efforts to tackle the gender pay gap, as a complex problem to be addressed from multiple angles and at multiple levels (Fiji);
6.128 Develop incentives to combat discriminatory stereotypes, gender segregation and structural obstacles that may deter women and girls from enrolling in traditionally male-dominated fields of study (Panama);
6.129 Complete the implementation of its rolling Gender Equality Programmes (Greece);
6.130 Increase government funding for gender equality and equal treatment programmes (Guyana);
6.131 Adopt marriage equality legislation, extending full marriage rights to same-sex couples (Iceland);
6.132 Add gender identity to the prohibited grounds in Articles 151 and 152 of the Criminal Code (Iceland);
6.133 Change the regulation of gender recognition by separating the processes of medical and legal gender recognition and ensure that legal gender recognition is based on self- determination (Iceland);
6.134 Continue its efforts to promote gender equality, including by educating the society on gender stereotypes (Latvia);
6.135 Adopt a comprehensive national strategy for gender equality and strengthen its mechanisms for the advancement of women (Luxembourg);
6.136 Redouble efforts to combat gender stereotypes and segregation in the labour market and in education (Peru);
6.137 Continue the legislative initiatives to combat public incitement to racial discrimination (Mexico);
6.138 Harmonize the national legislation with the Framework Decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law of the European Union (Mexico);
6.139 Adopt effective measures to prevent and investigate cases of trafficking in human beings (Russian Federation);
6.140 Ensure its policies, legislation, regulations and enforcement measures effectively serve to prevent and address the heightened risk of business involvement in abuses in conflict situations, which includes situations of foreign occupation (State of Palestine);
6.141 Continue to pursue effective climate actions at national and international levels to combat climate change in keeping with human rights imperatives (Bangladesh);
6.142 Continue to increase ODA to achieve internationally agreed target of 0.7 per cent of its Gross National Income in order to realise economic, social and cultural rights (Bangladesh);
6.143 Ensure that women, children, persons with disabilities, minority groups, and local communities are meaningfully engaged in the development and implementation of climate change and disaster risk reduction frameworks (Fiji);
6.144 Initiate effective measures in order to eliminate high rate of poverty among unemployed persons, families with many children, women and persons with disabilities (Islamic Republic of Iran);
6.145 Take effective measures to combat discrimination on all grounds, in particular on religion and linguistic basis (Islamic Republic of Iran);
6.146 Intensify efforts to address the wage gap between men and women in the labour market (Iraq);
6.147 Develop national action plans that focus on poverty reduction, through adequate social assistance targeting the most disadvantaged people with a human rights approach and focusing on the SDG targets 1 and 10 (Paraguay);
6.148 Strengthen efforts to further promote business and human rights, including through the development of initiatives for implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (Japan);
6.149 Ensure that all allegations of torture and ill-treatment in detention units are promptly and thoroughly, efficiently, independently and impartially investigated, perpetrators prosecuted and, if convicted, punished with sanctions proportionate to the nature and gravity of the crime, and that victims and, where appropriate, their families receive full compensation, including rehabilitation (Serbia);
6.150 Take all pertinent measures in the area of criminal law to ensure that denounces of torture and ill-treatment are thoroughly investigated by an effective, independent and impartial body (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);
6.151 Take measures against the abusive use of means of restraint in prisons (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);
6.152 Cease torture and cruel or inhuman treatment in the places of detention, including sexual violations (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea);
6.153 Ensure that independent and impartial bodies investigate all allegations of torture and abuse (Egypt);
6.154 Strengthen investigative measures on all allegations of torture and ill-treatments and prosecute perpetrators and provide victims with full reparation and compensation (Islamic Republic of Iran);
6.155 Explicitly prohibit corporal punishment and gender-based violence in education in national legislation (Jordan);
6.156 Amend the electoral law to ensure that disenfranchisement of persons in prison can only be imposed subject to an individual assessment (Sweden);
6.157 Respect the right to vote for all inmates (Canada);
6.158 Continue to develop its juvenile justice system in conformity with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Fiji);
6.159 Continue mobilizing the international community to uphold and protect human rights in the digital sphere (Poland);
6.160 Ensure equal representation of titular and non-titular communities in local self-government bodies (Russian Federation);
6.161 Increase the representation of women in political decision making positions, and recommends to increase it at municipalities level (Lithuania);
6.162 Intensify capacity building for law enforcement officials and other duty bearers to improve identification, referral, and handling of cases of trafficking in persons, especially women and girls (Philippines);
6.163 Continue to reinforce measures to prevent and combat human trafficking with a view to improve specialized assistance to child victims (Poland);
6.164 Continue to adopt measures against trafficking in human beings and to increase its engagement in the regional and international cooperation in this field (Romania);
6.165 Take additional measures to combat trafficking in human beings and provide specialised assistance to victims of the trafficking, especially children (Saudi Arabia);
6.166 Ensure that all cases of trafficking in persons are effectively investigated and that those responsible are properly prosecuted and punished (Senegal);
6.167 Address deficiencies in the legislative and executive frameworks aiming at identifying and protecting victims of human trafficking, especially child victims (Syrian Arab Republic);
6.168 Plan to tackle potential resurgence of modern slavery routes transiting Estonia as external borders reopen and ensure a victim-focused response (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);
6.169 Increase efforts to investigate and prosecute human traffickers under the anti-trafficking provisions of the penal code and, if convicted, punish traffickers with appropriate prison sentences commensurate with the severity of the crime (United States of America);
6.170 Continue its efforts to combat trafficking in human beings, including women and children for the purpose of sexual exploitation and forced labour (Uzbekistan);
6.171 Consider adopting a dedicated national action plan against human trafficking (Albania);
6.172 Adopt further measures in combatting human trafficking and protecting the rights of victims, as well as the rights of migrants (Nigeria);
6.173 Ensure that cases of trafficking are effectively investigated and the perpetrators adequately punished (Azerbaijan);
6.174 Improve the legal and policy framework to ensure that cases of trafficking of women and girls for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labour are effectively investigated and the perpetrators prosecuted and adequately punished (Brazil);
6.175 Starting from the root cause, take strong measures to eliminate human trafficking, especially trafficking of minors (China);
6.176 Eliminate trafficking of women and girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation and forced labour and ensure that cases of trafficking are thoroughly investigated and perpetrators are prosecuted accordingly (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea);
6.177 Continue efforts undertaken to combat trafficking in human beings, particularly the sexual exploitation of children and women, by strengthening the fight against traffickers (Djibouti);
6.178 Intensify actions to combat human trafficking, protect the victims and bring those responsible to justice (Ecuador);
6.179 Continue measures aimed at preventing human trafficking and assisting its victims (Georgia);
6.180 Ensure that cases of trafficking in persons are effectively investigated, that perpetrators are prosecuted and duly punished, and that the gender approach of assistance services for victims of trafficking and of witness protection programs is strengthened (Panama);
6.181 Intensify its measures to prevent trafficking in women and girls for purposes of sexual exploitations and forced labour (Islamic Republic of Iran);
6.182 Investigate cases of trafficking in women and girls for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labour (Iraq);
6.183 Ensure that trafficking in persons offences are properly investigated and prosecuted, and provide training, resources and tools to migration officers, security forces, prosecutors and judges (Israel);
6.184 Ensure that cases of human trafficking were effectively investigated and the perpetrators prosecuted and adequately punished (Jordan);
6.185 Continue the efforts to combat trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation, and to extend protection to victims (Lebanon);
6.186 Promote special policies for supporting the family as the fundamental and natural unit of society (Egypt);
6.187 Ensure successful implementation of the newly launched pension reform (Ukraine);
6.188 Implement human rights-based mental health policies in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and provide community-based mental health services, which also address high suicide rates (Portugal);
6.189 Develop and implement a public health development plan to maintain and improve people’s health, prolong life expectancy, reduce premature illnesses and mortality as well as health inequality among different groups of the population (Turkmenistan);
6.190 Adopt a national mental health policy and tackle the root causes of the high prevalence of mental health problems (Côte d’Ivoire);
6.191 Establish plans with budgetary allocations to guarantee access to primary health care and eliminate existing accessibility barriers (Cuba);
6.192 Further develop mental health policies, especially for children and youth (Cyprus);
6.193 Recognize further the role of health and essential workers in defending human rights during the COVID-19 pandemic, and continue its work at the national and international levels in providing a safe and enabling environment for such workers (Indonesia);
6.194 Support social services and providing health care, especially to the most vulnerable people in society, within the framework of the national strategic plans (Libya);
6.195 Continue to support the provision of long-term caregivers for children (Mauritius);
6.196 Stop the practice of "punitive actions" of language inspections that target mainly teachers of Russian schools and kindergartens (Russian Federation);
6.197 Ensure equal access of children studying in Russian schools to education and in employment (Russian Federation);
6.198 Seek to ensure that children belonging to linguistic and ethnic minorities and children with disabilities have adequate access to education, and to encourage the inclusion of non-Estonian-speaking children in kindergartens (Serbia);
6.199 Continue its efforts in creating an enabling environment and providing equal access to all educational majors for female students (State of Palestine);
6.200 Continue improving its vocational education and training programmes (Timor-Leste);
6.201 Implement actions aimed at ensuring that boys and girls with special needs do not drop out of school before acquiring a basic education (Cuba);
6.202 Guarantee equal access to education, including to children with disabilities and children belonging to linguistic and ethnic minorities (Ecuador);
6.203 Take the necessary measures to ensure access to quality education for children and pupils based on equality and non-discrimination (Libya);
6.204 Strengthen measures to combat school drop-out (Luxembourg);
6.205 Ensure children belonging to linguistic and ethnic minorities and children with disabilities are provided with adequate access to education (Malaysia);
6.206 Consider implementing programs to reduce the school dropout rate and to guarantee equal access to education for children of linguistic and ethnic minorities (Peru);
6.207 Take further measures to eliminate violence against women, particularly domestic violence, including by conducting investigations of reported cases, adequately punishing perpetrators, as well as providing survivors with protection and legal, financial and psychological support (Portugal);
6.208 Take additional legal measures necessary to reduce crimes of violence against women and strengthen the provision of legal aid for the victims (Saudi Arabia);
6.209 Allocate adequate resources for the training of law enforcement and other relevant public officers, in the context of the four-year Gender Equality Programmes (2019-2022, 2020-2023) and the memorandum on the Domestic Violence Action Plan (2019-2023), to ensure their full and effective implementation (Singapore);
6.210 Enact a special law on violence against women and girls, as well as amend the Penal Code to criminalize sexual harassment and broaden the definition of "rape" (Spain);
6.211 Ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of violence against women, by continuing to pursue training for law enforcement and judicial officials, and strengthen mechanisms to provide legal assistance to victims (Guyana);
6.212 Take effective measures to combat domestic violence and violence against women (Islamic Republic of Iran);
6.213 Continue the information campaigns to combat domestic violence and all forms of violence against women (Mexico);
6.214 Adopt a comprehensive national strategy for gender equality and to combat violence against women (Argentina);
6.215 Ensure that acts of violence against women are effectively investigated and prosecuted (Burkina Faso);
6.216 Take effective measures to encourage reporting of violence against women to law enforcement authorities and to ensure the safety of women who come forward (Denmark);
6.217 Ensure equal rights and opportunities for women in formal employment, eliminate occupational segregation and achieve substantive equality in the labour market (State of Palestine);
6.218 Take further measures to ensure that rural, older and marginalized women benefit from adequate medical services (Timor-Leste);
6.219 Continue efforts taken to protect the rights of women and promote gender equality (Tunisia);
6.220 Increase efforts to promote gender equality and combat gender-based violence, including domestic violence, by amending the law to ensure the definition of rape includes any non-consensual sexual acts (United States of America);
6.221 Increase efforts to combat sexual violence and to address barriers to reporting domestic violence, including full implementation of the Istanbul Convention (Australia);
6.222 Adopt a comprehensive national strategy aiming at the advancement of women’s status at all levels (Bahrain);
6.223 Strengthen the efforts, with the meaningful participation of all stakeholders concerned, to mainstream the rights of women and girls with disabilities into all disability related legislation and policies (Bulgaria);
6.224 Extend the recent efforts to address violence and discrimination against women to cover the rights and interests of girls, including through upward revision of the legal age for sexual consent (Canada);
6.225 Take effective measures to end domestic and gender-based violence and amend the Penal Code to review the definition of rape (Czechia);
6.226 Step up efforts to increase women participation in Parliaments and other decision-making positions (Ethiopia);
6.227 Intensify further efforts at preventing and addressing domestic violence (Georgia);
6.228 Strengthen existing machinery for the advancement of women by providing adequate human, technical and financial resources at the central and municipal levels and enhance efforts to enforce the right to equal pay (Guyana);
6.229 Continue to implement measures to bridge gender pay gap and discrimination at work (India);
6.230 Continue the efforts to eradicate gender-based violence and to promote gender equality, including by taking measures to reduce the gender pay gap (Italy);
6.231 Continue its efforts to reduce the gender pay gap (Latvia);
6.232 Design and implement concrete measures for the reduction of the gender pay gap (Lithuania);
6.233 Establish measures to reduce the pay gap between men and women (Mauritius);
6.234 Continue measures to promoting gender equality and closing the gender pay gap (Nepal);
6.235 Study the root causes and take effective steps towards elimination of the gender pay gap (Austria);
6.236 Combat gender segregation and gender pay gap in the labour market (Bahrain);
6.237 Intensify its efforts to tackle the root causes of and close the gender pay gap (Belgium);
6.238 Continue measures to combatting discriminatory practices against women and girls, including gender-based violence (India);
6.239 Continue its efforts to combat all forms of discrimination against women and girls, address the phenomenon of domestic violence, and empower women and integrate them into economic life (Libya);
6.240 Intensify efforts in tackling domestic violence, also by adopting a specific law on domestic violence (Montenegro);
6.241 Take further steps to ensure enhancing the child protection system with special emphasis on tackling violence against children (Romania);
6.242 Continues to strengthen its efforts to combat violence against children, including by conducting awareness-raising activities in the community and schools, and providing effective reporting channels for such abuses (Singapore);
6.243 Strengthen measures to address sexual abuse and exploitation of children, including through improving detection mechanisms and enhancing support services for victims (Philippines);
6.244 Continue improving the coordination of all activities related to the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child at cross-sectoral, national, regional and local levels (Slovakia);
6.245 Greater determination to remove the physical obstacles that children with disabilities encounter in schools and health services, and preventing children with mental disabilities from ending up in reformatories together with juvenile offenders and children with behavioral problems (Spain);
6.246 Establish the necessary arrangements to address the weakness in investigation and accountability mechanisms related to crimes of sexual exploitation of children (Syrian Arab Republic);
6.247 Amend the Law on the Granting of International Protection to Foreigners in order to prohibit the detention of children for immigration-related purposes and explore alternative care options under the competent national childcare authorities in line with the international human rights standards (Uruguay);
6.248 Ensure appropriate support, inclusive quality education, and social protection systems for all children with disabilities, with a particular attention to their needs during COVID-19 pandemic (Bulgaria);
6.249 Redouble efforts to prevent teenage suicides (Côte d’Ivoire);
6.250 Strengthen efforts to prevent adolescent suicides (Poland);
6.251 Expand legal measures to criminalize all sexual exploitation of boys and girls (Cuba);
6.252 Consider amending national laws to eliminate child marriage (Egypt);
6.253 Continue to take progressive steps towards the complete abolition and elimination of child marriages, including by reviewing any possible ambiguity or uncertainty in law or policy (Fiji);
6.254 Strengthen preventive measures against bullying and mental and physical violence at schools as well as to improve capacity and ability of schools to deal with the problem of bullying, teasing and harassment which are major obstacles to the wellbeing of children, including LGBTI youth (Finland);
6.255 Continue to take all necessary measures to combat child trafficking and sexual exploitation of children (Indonesia);
6.256 Develop a comprehensive policy on children that addressed all areas covered by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Islamic Republic of Iran);
6.257 Enhance measures to prevent all forms of bullying and harassment in schools (Japan);
6.258 Protect children’s rights in Estonia, create awareness in a child-friendly manner about the individual complaint mechanism that is available for children to exercise their right of complaint (Maldives);
6.259 End discrimination against national minorities in their use of their mother tongue, as well as in employment and take effective measures to prosecute such cases in court (Russian Federation);
6.260 Continue the progress made in integrating national and ethnic minorities and in enhancing community cohesion. (Tunisia);
6.261 Continue efforts to eliminate discrimination against minority in all sectors particularly employment and participation in decision-making position (Indonesia);
6.262 Exert more efforts to integrate ethnic minorities, especially with the start of work on the national plan for developing a cohesive society for the period 2021-2030 (Lebanon);
6.263 Continue efforts to promote the rights of persons with disability and increase their integration in the society through taking all necessary measures to facilitate their access to public, health and educational facilities (Sudan);
6.264 Address the challenges related to non-compliance with accessibility requirements (Ethiopia);
6.265 Ensure inclusive education and accessibility of health-care services and facilities for persons with disabilities (Israel);
6.266 Simplify the process of naturalization of "non-citizens" in order to ensure their full range of human rights, including guaranteeing them electoral rights (Russian Federation);
6.267 Consider participating in resettlement and relocation programs for asylum seekers, and put the necessary measures to end punishment for their irregular border crossing (Sudan);
6.268 Continue the efforts already made to provide migrants and other vulnerable groups with better access to health, education and other social services (Niger);
6.269 Continue applying measures to protect asylum seekers by participating in refugees’ resettlement and relocation programmes (Cyprus);
6.270 Improve living conditions in reception centres for asylum seekers (Iraq);
6.271 Continue the progress made in implementing national plans for integration and address issues related to stateless persons (Tunisia);
6.272 Redouble efforts to prevent and reduce the cases of statelessness, including through a statelessness determination procedure that guarantees the systematic identification of stateless persons and their protection, and facilitates the naturalization of persons with "undetermined citizenship", giving priority to the right to a nationality of all children living in the country, in line with the recommendations of the Human Rights Committee (2019) (Uruguay);
6.273 Accelerate the acquisition of Estonian citizenship by removing remaining obstacles, such as incorporating a legal definition of a stateless person into domestic law (Ireland);
6.274 Continue the efforts to reduce and prevent statelessness, including by considering acceding to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the reduction of statelessness (Italy).
7. 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.
Annex
Composition of the delegation
The delegation of Estonia was headed by H.E. Ms. Eva-Maria Liimets, Minister of Foreign Affairs and composed of the following members:
• H.E. Mr. Jonatan VSEVIOV, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Head of Delegation;
• H.E. Ms. Katrin SAARSALU-LAYACHI, Ambassador, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Estonia in Geneva;
• Ms. Minna-Liina LIND, Ambassador at Large for Human Rights and Migration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Mr. Kristjan PRIKK, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence;
• Ms. Heddi LUTTERUS, Deputy Secretary General, Legislative Policy Department, Ministry of Justice;
• Mr. Markus KÄRNER, Deputy Secretary General, Criminal Policy Department, Ministry of Justice;
• Mr. Rait KUUSE, Deputy Secretary General on Social Policy, Ministry of Social Affairs;
• Mr Veiko KOMMUSAAR, Undersecretary for Internal Security, Migration and Public Order, Ministry of the Interior;
• Ms Anu RANNAVESKI, Head of Defence Service Department, Ministry of Defence;
• Mr. Kalmar KURS, Head of Foreign Relations Department, Ministry of Culture;
• Ms. Anne-Ly REIMAA, Head of International Relations on Integration Issues, Ministry of Culture;
• Ms. Mall SAUL, Adviser, Cultural Diversity Department, Ministry of Culture;
• Mr. Silver TAMMIK, Director of EU and International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications;
• Ms. Tatjana KIILO, Head of Analysis Department, Ministry of Education and Research;
• Mr Agris KOPPEL, Head of Health System Development Department, Ministry of Social Affairs;
• Ms Heli LAARMANN, Head of Public Health Department, Ministry of Social Affairs;
• Ms. Mai HION, Counsellor, International Law Division, Legal Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Ms. Pille KESLER, Desk Officer, Division of International Organisations, Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Mr. Rein OIDEKIVI, Counsellor, Division International Organisations, Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Ms. Triinu KALLAS, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Estonia in Geneva.