9th Session of the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review
Statement by Australia
Statement on the Republic of Lebanon
by Ms Sally Dawkins
10 November 2010
Australia appreciates the engagement of the Lebanese delegation in the Universal Periodic Review Process.
Australia recognises the current moratorium on the use of the death penalty, but is concerned that the death penalty remains in Lebanese law. We welcome the drafting in 2008 of a bill to abolish the death penalty and call on Lebanon to enact this bill as a matter of priority.
We remain concerned by continuing reports of a high number of working children in Lebanon, estimated by the United Nations at around 100,000 or 10 percent of the national child population. We support the 2010 recommendation of the International Labour Organisation that Lebanon implement amendments to the Labour Code to combat the sale and trafficking of children.
Australia welcomes the update received today about the new Family Violence Bill, presently under consideration by Lebanon’s Cabinet, which would strengthen reporting on, and investigations of, incidents of family violence and increase protections for victims. We call for the prompt passing of this legislation.
Australia recommends Lebanon:
1. Accede to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aimed at abolishing the death penalty, and take the necessary steps to remove the death penalty from Lebanon’s justice system;
2. Implement amendments to the Labour Code to strengthen legal measures to combat the sale and trafficking of children;
3. Pass legislation – namely, the Family Violence Bill – to strengthen reporting on, and investigations of, incidents of family violence and increase protections for victims.