Universal Periodic Review of Ghana
7 november 2017
Intervention by the delegation of Estonia
Estonia warmly welcomes the delegation of Ghana to itsthird UPR.
We note with appreciation the ratification of theOptional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman orDegrading Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT) by Ghana. We also welcome the billdrafted for the abolition of death penalty, which requires a referendum to takeplace in accordance with the 1992 Constitution.
Ghana has shown considerable efforts to achieveuniversal primary education, and we note with appreciation the continuedefforts to extend access to free senior high school for all students startingfrom September 2017.
We encourage Ghana to continue to eliminate harmfulpractices that affect children and women, such as child labour, child, earlyand forced marriage, violence against children, domestic violence and femalegenital mutilation (FGM).
We would like to recommend to the Government of Ghanato:
1) establish a National Preventative Mechanism (NPM) forcombating torture in line with the the Optional Protocol to the Conventionagainst Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment(OP-CAT);
2) continue efforts to abolish the death penalty andratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil andPolitical Rights aiming at the abolition of the death penalty (OP2-ICCPR);
3) enact the Affirmative Action Bill promoting womenin governance and decision-making positions;
4) intensify efforts to bring the domestic legislationin compliance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the InternationalCriminal Court (ICC).
We wish Ghana a successful review and subsequent implementationof the accepted recommendations.
Thank you.