BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – Following a review of Eswatini’s human rights records in November 2021, the Kingdom has accepted 156 out of 222 recommendations of the 3rd cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in March 2022.
The accepted recommendations relate to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 5: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.
The UPR is a State-peer driven process, under the auspices of the UN Human Rights Council, which provides the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations.
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, with support from three United Nations agencies in Eswatini (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights OHCHR; United Nations Development Programme UNDP and United Nations Population FUND UNFPA).
The implementation plan will facilitate Eswatini’s preparations for the UPR mid-term review in 2024 as well as the fourth cycle in 2026.
The Principal Secretary encouraged all stakeholders to ensure that the plan is implemented.
“Having a plan is an end in itself,” she said. “We all need to commit to the realisation of this plan for the advancement of human rights for our people,” he said.
UN Resident Coordinator, George Wachira, expressed hope that this process will facilitate consultations and lead to strengthened collaborative efforts among all stakeholders, including marginalised groups.
“I hope we can create a safe, open and enabling space for civil society actors and human rights defenders to follow up meaningfully to UPR recommendations, especially those related to civic space,” he said.
The UN Resident Coordinator also applauded Eswatini for its ongoing efforts and progress made to improve the human rights of all emaSwati. The UPR is also expected to introduce participants to the national recommendations tracking database (NRTD) which will facilitate management of information and action on human rights.
