UK Statement for Liberia's Universal Periodic Review. Delivered at the 50th session of the UPR in Geneva.
Thank you, Madame Vice President,
The United Kingdom thanks the Liberian delegation for setting out its efforts to protect human rights. We welcome the steps taken to make progress on reconciliation and transitional justice, including early steps to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court.
However, we remain concerned about ongoing discrimination against marginalised groups and continued barriers faced by women and girls in accessing their fundamental human rights, including continued high levels of gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and limited access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
We recommend that Liberia:
Abolishes the death penalty, in line with obligations under the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR.
Protects the human rights of individuals belonging to marginalised groups by preventing discrimination, guaranteeing equal treatment under the law and ensuring full access to justice.
Fully complies with the Maputo Protocol, criminalising all forms of female genital mutilation.
The UK looks forward to continuing our work with the government, civil society organisations and human rights defenders from across the region to advance human rights in Liberia.
Thank you.
