
Belgium
Regional group:Western European & Others Group
Council member:
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National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up (NMIRF): Standing - Inter-Ministerial |
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National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up (NMIRF): Standing - Inter-Ministerial |
Extreme poverty and human rights; High-level panel on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Human Rights Council; Regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights; The question of the death penalty; Situation of human rights in Eritrea; Situation of human rights in Yemen.
During HRC general discussions, panel debates and interactive dialogues with the Special Procedures, during the past three years, either as an HRC member or not, the State has joined:
Regional
group statements
Subregional
group statements
Political group
statements
Cross-regional
group statements
Other joint
statements
Overall, as a HRC member, has participated in more than 10% of panel discussions, general debates and interactive dialogues.
Longest visit request not (yet) accepted by the State >
None
CAT
ICCPR
CED
CEDAW
CERD
ICESCR
CRC
CRPD
Ratified
NPM established
Belgium presented voluntary pledges and commitments in support of its candidature for membership for the period 2016-2018 in April 2015.
Key pledges include: Ensure that the Council fulfils its mandate to deal with both country situations and thematic issues; Cooperate actively with, and protect the independence of, Special Procedures; Engage constructively with the UPR mechanism, follow-up on accepted recommendations, and ensure that interactive dialogues remain inclusive; Ensure civil society participation in the work of the Council; Continue to support OHCHR, including financially; Maintain cooperation with Treaty Bodies, including by submitting periodic reports in a timely manner and by implementing recommendations; Ratify the OP-CAT; Continue to raise the question of the death penalty, and the role of regional organisations or arrangements, in the Council; and continue work towards the establishment of a NHRI in compliance with the Paris Principles.
An analysis of steps taken by Belgium in fulfilment of its international pledges shows that it has indeed ratified the OP-CAT. Belgium has participated in around half of all Council panel discussions and interactive debates. Regarding Special Procedures cooperation, Belgium has facilitated 80% of visit requests. Belgium has a strong record of reporting to Treaty Bodies, although it has one overdue report (CERD – 1 year). Likewise, it participated in its UPR review at ministerial-level and submitted a mid-term report on implementation. Belgium has continued to support the work of the OHCHR through voluntary financial contributions. Its new NHRI was accredited with B status by the GANHRI.