Statement by the UK at Bhutan's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council.
Thank you, Mr Vice-President,
The United Kingdom thanks the Bhutanese delegation for its engagement with the UPR process and welcomes the distinguished delegation led by his Excellency Mr Dhungyel, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
The UK welcomes the steps taken towards implementing recommendations supported at the last review. In particular we welcome Bhutan's ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in March this year, and we note Bhutan's commitment towards ratification of additional instruments as set out in its national UPR report.
We encourage Bhutan to prioritise the effectiveness of social protection systems for individuals from vulnerable groups at higher risk of discrimination, as stipulated in Article 7 of the Constitution.
We have three recommendations for Bhutan:
Become party to the United Nations Convention Against Torture;
Ensure that all Bhutanese children have equal access to education regardless of religion or belief;
Promote the right to freedom of expression for the members of the press and media including through ending the imprisonment of journalists for activities linked to the exercise of this right; and the decriminalisation of defamation.
Thank you Mr Vice-President.
