Human Rights Council 52nd Session of the Universal Periodic Review – Palau

Mr President,

We warmly welcome the delegation from Palau.

We commend Palau’s focus on advancing the rights of persons with disabilities through strengthened institutional arrangements, including the establishment of a Coordinating Committee to develop a National Policy and an Office of Persons with Disabilities. We also welcome efforts to enhance social protection measures benefiting low-income earners, particularly persons with disabilities and retired citizens.

New Zealand recommends that Palau:

1. Strengthen efforts to increase women’s representation in leadership roles, including through the incorporation of measurable targets in the National Gender Policy.
2. Ratify the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
3. Consider further legislative measures to ensure the protection from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

We thank the delegation for their participation today and wish them a successful review.

Thank you Mr President.