Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Mr President,
New Zealand welcomes the participation of Ethiopia today and acknowledges the country’s ongoing cooperation with the UPR. We encourage cooperation with all United Nations human rights mechanisms.
New Zealand recommends that Ethiopia:
1. Promptly order a transparent and impartial investigation into allegations of torture and ill-treatment, executions, and enforced disappearances in all federal and regional detention facilities, including irregular facilities, and ratify the Optional Protocol on the Convention Against Torture.
2. Take measures to address sexual and gender based violence, most predominately against women and girls, particularly in conflict and post-conflict areas.
3. Ensure civil and political rights are protected and upheld, particularly freedoms of expression and assembly.
4. Allow rapid and unfettered access for humanitarian agencies and human rights defenders to all areas of the country.
5. Fulfil its reporting obligations under the various treaty bodies, and extend a standing invitation to all special procedure mandate holders.
Thank you Mr President.