© Belgian Foreign Affairs/ Joël Tabury a viewto federating these national institutions. rights mechanism in compliance with the Paris Principles, with government is in the process of establishing a National institutions Human national vasta with mandate .field of the of in Belgian The number a established has accountability. decision- and transparence in equality, and inclusivity non-discrimination and making, participation as of well as principles rights, the human of inalienability and indivisibility universality, the on based development, to approach based the of actions The earmarked. non- were decade past the contributionsduring our of Most rights. human protect and promote to Office the enable to conditions essential are safeguarded, they be as must Office this of impartiality the and independence future.The the in OHCHR the to supportprovide to continue will and creation its since (OHCHR) Rights Human for Commissioner High Belgium has been a staunch non-governmental organizations in the Human Rights Council. with closely work to continues policy, foreign its and legislation accordancein internal and will, bothits policies Belgium with other countries. review. duringits Weactivelyalso participate reviewthe in of accepted as recommendations review periodic universal Review Periodic Universal thestrives and ensuretoan mechanism with engages fully Belgium the integrity and independence of procedures. these special efforteveryrespectmake to to continue will and them with rights cooperating committedto human are Weground. address the on to situations Council the for tool excellent an n pooe h atv priiain of participation active the promote and society civil olw rights a follow cooperation Belgian supporter of the Office of the effective follow-up to effective follow-up

© UN • • • at the international level: Belgian humanrights priorities • • • • Enhancing universal of the abolition death penalty towards progress including person, every of the for respect Ensuring Court strengthening a strong supporter of the International Criminal and accountability and the impunity Combating any democratic society in componentkey a as press, the freedomof Promoting the from attention and protection benefit and must xenophobia intolerance discrimination, racism, of victims all racism: of scourge the Addressing achieve and sustainable development poverty eradicate to lever a as Working towards labor international for respect standards and all for Promoting persons vulnerable and children, women, of rights the to attention particular with discrimination, decent work and , including expression, of freedom and equality 2016-2018 the UNHumanRightsCouncil Belgium candidatefor inclusive economic growth rule of law - Belgium is hscl integrity physical social protection countering same Human Rights Council CANDIDATE BELGIUM 2016-2018 UN Belgium committed to a strong and protection of human rights. We have also co-authored a bi-annual monitor the implementation of the resolution in the General Assembly on the functioning of the core human rights treaties. They are at effective Human Rights Council Committee that monitors the implementation of the Convention the heart of the global human rights on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. framework and play a fundamental role in promoting and protecting human March 2016 will mark 10 years since the General Assembly Over the past years, progress has been made in achieving rights at the national level. Belgium will created the Human Rights Council. Belgium is seeking to human rights for all, yet too many human rights violations still continue its active cooperation with become a member of the Council for a second time as of 2016, occur in various countries and regions around the world. the committees by timely submitting which demonstrates the significant value we place in the role Complacency is not an option and we must aim to improve its periodic reports, engaging in a of the Council. The United Nations need a political forum where human rights worldwide. Belgium has the ambition to be an constructive dialogue during the oral Member States come together to engage in a dialogue and to active player in the dialogue to realize this objective and will presentation of its reports and actively take decisions on how to improve their human rights records. contribute in a constructive and effective manner to the work implementing the recommendations of the Human Rights Council, in close cooperation with other of the committees. Belgium at present Member States and stakeholders. has no overdue reports and has

established a national mechanism © UN ensuring the regular follow-up of Human rights in Belgium treaty body recommendations. Belgium remains committed to ensure that its domestic measures in the fight against terrorism safeguard the The promotion and protection of human rights are enshrined in fundamental rights of the individual. the Belgian constitution. At the creation of the Belgian state, its parliament voted a Constitution which, at that moment, was one of the most progressive legal documents. From the beginning, our constitution comprised a chapter on the ‘rights Belgian commitments of the ’.

Human rights of course have evolved tremendously over the Belgium’s foreign policy aims at enhancing the positive years, but throughout history, Belgian civil society has always correlation between peace and security, development and played a strong role in maintaining citizens’ rights at the human rights, the three main pillars of the United Nations. forefront of policies as well as in the functioning of national institutions. One of the major developments in Belgian history As a founding member of the , we commit

© ARES © is without any doubt the recognition of economic, social and ourselves to human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, cultural rights. Belgian citizens and residents today enjoy a well the rule of law and respect for human rights. These values are The Council has a proven track record in the promotion and performing social protection system and have access to top embedded in the EU treaties and are also an essential part of protection of human rights. Belgium welcomes some of the level medical care and education. the international action of the Union. innovations which have been introduced since its establishment in 2006. In particular, the Universal Periodic Review is a major Confronted with a growing Belgium will continue to work towards a strong and effective influx of refugees, step forward, as it assesses human rights situations in all Human Rights Council and for the universality and indivisibility Belgium wishes to maintain Member States, on a universal and equal basis. The Council is of human rights. Belgium will ensure that the Council, in an effective asylum system also able to convene to respond to urgent human rights issues. addressing human rights violations, deals both with country which provides protection Moreover, civil society has actively engaged in the work of the situations and with thematic issues. for those who find their lives Council and reminds us of the realities on the ground. and those of their families in Belgium believes a robust system of UN Special danger, while respecting the Belgium is a committed defender of human rights, both Rapporteurs, independent experts and working groups is principle of non-refoulement domestically and abroad. Our longstanding commitment to in conformity with the 1951 the promotion of human rights is demonstrated by our recent Refugee Convention. Belgium Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of also provides a number of Europe, our longstanding membership of the Commission on the services to other groups Status of Women and our previous membership of the Human of migrants to ensure their Rights Council (2009-2012). Over the past 4 years, we have also human dignity and particularly been an active member of the UN NGO committee and have the protection of the rights of closely engaged with both civil society and Member States to the child, such as medical care ensure active participation of civil society in the work of the UN. and education. Through the introduction of a bi-annual resolution in the Human Rights Council we have consistently pleaded for a strong role for Belgium supports the human regional organizations and arrangements in the promotion and rights treaty bodies which © ARES ©