Mr President,
Sweden thanks the Russian Federation for its engagement in the UPR process and for a rich and interesting report. Let me also thank His Excellenciesy Minister of Justice Mr Alexander Konovalov and his delegation for taking active part at our dialogue here today, for his presentation and the replies provided, outlining the achievements and challenges in the human rights field facing the Russian Federation today.
Sweden would in this UPR framework like to raise two three issues.
First, Sweden is concerned by the treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgender persons in the Russian Federation, especially concerning their right to peaceful assembly and freedom from discrimination. Sweden recommends the Russian Federation to increase their efforts and take concrete policy measures in order to promote tolerance and non-discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgender persons.
Secondly, Sweden have has noted reports on violent discrimination of persons belonging to ethnic minorities and non-Russian citizens. In this context Sweden recommends the Russian Federation to increase its efforts to ensure full respect of the rights of persons belonging to minorities and indigenous groups, including education of their children.
Thirdly, Sweden notes that civil society organizations report large-scale incidence of violence against women in Russia. Sweden would therefore recommend the Russian Federation to enhance the efforts to combat violence against women and improve women’s access to safe shelter.?
Thank you Mr President.