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 |
Question of the death penalty; Situation of human rights in Eritrea; Extreme poverty and human rights; Regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights; 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 an NHRI in compliance with the Paris Principles.
An analysis of steps taken by Belgium in fulfilment of its international pledges shows that it has participated in around half of all Council panel discussions and interactive debates. Belgium has a strong record of cooperation, it has facilitated 100% of visit requests, responded to all Special Procedures Communications and submitted all periodic reports to the Treaty Bodies. Belgium has continued to support the work of the OHCHR through voluntary financial contributions. Belgium is yet to ratify the OP-CAT. It continues to sponsor resolutions on the question of the death penalty and the role of regional organisations and established a B-level NHRI in compliance with the Paris Principles.