The meeting was co-chaired by the Minister of Justice, Ms. Benvinda Levi, the President of the Human Rights League and representative of the Civil Society Platform for the UPR, Ms. Alice Mabota, and UNDP Resident Representative a.i., Mr. Jocelyn Mason. More than 50 people attended the meeting, including the Vice-President of the Supreme Court, government officials, representatives of Civil Society, and international partners.

The Minister of Justice, Ms. Benvinda Levi informed participants that Mozambique had accepted most of the recommendations made in Geneva: “Out of 169 recommendations, Mozambique has already accepted 131, will give an answer to 28 at a session of the Human Rights Council in June and rejected only 10 recommendations.”

Ms. Benvida Levi emphasized that recommendations rejected were mostly not relevant for Mozambique or with too broad scope to be considered. Concerning the four recommendations on sexual orientation rejected by the Government delegation, she said, Mozambican society needs more time to tackle those issues. She pointed out that technical assistance would be needed to implement the recommendations accepted.

According to the Minister the Member States of the Human Rights Council focused their recommendations on the establishment of the National Commission on Human Rights, finalization of the National Action Plan on Human Rights, excessive use of force and human rights violations by police, conditions of detention in prisons, sexual orientation, and ratification of international instruments.

Resident Representative a.i., Mr. Jocelyn Mason congratulated both Government and Civil Society for their reports and the way Mozambique was conducting the UPR process. He stressed the value of the partnership between Ministry of Justice and the Civil Society Platform in order to further implement the recommendations. In addition, Mr. Mason emphasized how crucial it is for international partners to support Mozambique in the implementation phase of the recommendations.

The Director of the Department for the Promotion for Human Rights, Dr. Albachir Macassar, informed the audience that the National Action Plan on Human Rights that is being finalized and would offer an ideal framework for the implementation of the recommendations starting in 2011.

The President of the Human Rights League, Ms. Alice Mabota stressed the need for all Ministries to examine the recommendations and take appropriate action.

The former news article concerning UPR Mozambique  as per 12 February 2011.