Statement as delivered by Divya Khosla
U.S. Mission
22nd Session of the HRC Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
Geneva,
May 4, 2015
The United States warmly welcomes the Liberian delegation to the UPR Working Group.
We commend the Government of Liberia for holding successful senatorial elections in December 2014 concurrently with the high demands of combatting the Ebola epidemic.
We remain concerned about pervasive gender-based violence against women and girls, including rape and female genital mutilation or cutting. We welcome efforts made by the Government but believe more progress is needed to combat these abuses.
We note with concern that the worst forms of child labor are still occurring in agriculture and mining, and that the Decent Work Bill, which includes a list of hazardous occupations prohibited for children, has not yet been passed.
Bearing in mind these concerns, we recommend that Liberia:
- Criminalize female genital mutilation or cutting and spousal rape, and increase the number of public awareness campaigns focused on preventing violence against women and girls, with particular emphasis on rape, domestic violence, and female genital mutilation or cutting; and
- Enact and effectively implement legislation and take other policy and program measures to fulfill treaty obligations to eliminate the worst forms of child labor.
(end statement)