| Click here for a summary of Gabon’s review at the first cycle and/or the second cycle. |
28th UPR session
Date of review: 7 November 2017
Date of report adoption: 15 March 2018
Document number: A/HRC/37/6
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SUMMARY SOGIESC issues during Gabon’s 3rd UPR review |
I. SOGIESC issues/recommendations identified by NGOs and other stakeholders
15. JS1 reported that there were cases in which some civil society activists were arrested and detained under inhumane and degrading conditions.
21 JS1 recommended that Gabon stop the intimidation harassment and judicial persecution of civil society activists.
22. JS1 stated that human rights defenders and civil society activists have been subjected to judicial persecution, intimidation harassment, assault and have been the victims of smear campaigns to discredit them and their work.34 JS1 recommended that civil society members should be provided a safe and security environment to carry out their work.
23. JS1 recommended that Gabon takes measures to foster a safe, respectful, enabling environment for civil society, including through removing legal and policy measures which limit the right to association
II. Excerpts on SOGIESC issues from the national report
Combating epidemics
Full implementation of the recommendations
24. It should be noted that the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné specializes in malaria vaccine research and development. A national strategic plan to combat HIV for the period 2012-2016 that incorporates gender and human rights perspectives has also been developed.
Implementation of the National Strategy on Gender Equality and Equity
Full implementation of the recommendations
32. The principle of non-discrimination is established in the Constitution. Gender equality is guaranteed under Act No. 09/2015 of 5 September 2016 setting quotas on women’s access to senior civil service posts and Act No. 010/2016 of 5 September 2016 on combating harassment in the workplace. Gabon has policy papers for the promotion and protection of the rights of women in such areas as the fight against HIV/AIDS, maternal care and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In order to incorporate gender into the strategic plan on AIDS for the period 2013-2017 in accordance with the National Strategy for Gender Equality and Equity, a workshop to assess the level of attention given to the gender dimension of the national response to HIV was organized on 1 October 2013 in Libreville. In February 2015, UNDP made a commitment to supporting the human investment strategy of Gabon through income generation activities for vulnerable women
III. Excerpts on SOGIESC issues by UN agencies
Equality and non-discrimination
12. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women welcomed the adoption of the National Gender Equality and Equity Strategy. 18 It recommended that Gabon establish a permanent national machinery that would be responsible for combating any form of discrimination against women.
Right to health
43. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women recommended that Gabon strengthen measures to widely promote education on sexual and reproductive health and rights, increase access to safe and affordable contraceptives and ensure that abortion was legally available.
Right to education
47. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was concerned about the very high dropout rate at the primary and secondary levels of education, the low enrolment rates of girls at the tertiary level of education, the prevalence of sexual violence against girls at school, and the disproportionately high illiteracy rate, in particular among rural women. It recommended that Gabon strengthen its programmes to retain girls in school, and enforce a zero-tolerance policy with respect to sexual violence and sexual harassment at school. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recommended that Gabon address the root causes of its school dropout and repetition rates, and adopt a literacy and non-formal education policy.
IV. References to SOGIESC issues during the Working Group review
28. Chile welcomed the ratification of the second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and encouraged Gabon to continue cooperating with international and regional mechanisms and the civil society, in order to achieve gender equality and full respect of the rights of women and girls.
30. Congo welcomed the adoption of the Communications Code decriminalising media offences, the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and measures taken towards women’s empowerment, the eradication of discriminatory practices and universal health insurance. It encouraged Gabon to adopt a law on early marriage and gender-based violence.
31. Côte d’Ivoire praised the measures taken to follow up to the recommendations of the second UPR . It noted the adoption of the National Gender Equality and Equity Strategy and the elaboration of an integrated plan to give access to social, education and health services to Pygmees.
43. India welcomed the National Health Development Plan 2011-2015, increase in resources for the National Health Insurance and Social Protection Fund, the adoption of the National Gender Equality and Equity Strategy, and awareness-raising on the situation of Gabon (draft report circulated on 24 November 2017 during the ad-referendum period) children without birth certificates. It encouraged adoption of measures to ensure freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly.
106. Brazil welcomed the ratifications of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It praised the continuous efforts to combat trafficking in persons, to promote gender equality, to fight poverty and provide universal access to health care and education.
108. Burundi praised the efforts made in the field of children’s rights such as as the capacity building workshops and the elaboration of a Children’s Code. It noted with satisfaction the healthcare scheme for all and Gabon’s efforts to combat human trafficking and eradicate gender discrimination.
V. Conclusions and/or recommendations
Gabon accepted the following recommendations:
118.1. Fully implement the outcomes of the 2017 political dialogue, particularly measures to improve health and social protection, gender equality, education, training and job creation (South Africa);
118.63. Enhance efforts in achieving gender equality (Zambia);
118.65. Take measures to better protect vulnerable populations, by promoting the integration of young people and by combating violence against women and gender disparities in terms of professional integration – in line with the development of the framework for the organization of the justice system (France);
18.66. Further strengthen measures aimed at combating all forms of discrimination against women (Georgia);
118.118. Strengthen public policies aimed at addressing the high number of people living with HIV/AIDS and not receiving treatment, particularly women, in order to reduce the rates of HIV transmission from mothers to children during childbirth; as well as for LGBTI people, guaranteeing medical care without discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (Mexico);
VI. Further information
You will find all documents relating to Gabon’s third review at UPR-Info and OHCHR’s websites.