UPR 24th Session, Geneva, January 19, 2016
– as delivered –
The United States warmly welcomes the Estonian delegation to the UPR Working Group. We congratulate Estonia for submitting its National Report and for its demonstrated commitment to the UPR process.
We urge Estonia to take further steps to counter prejudice and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex persons. Further progress should be made to combat discrimination against new immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and members of ethnic and religious minorities.
Bearing in mind these concerns, we recommend that Estonia:
1. Increase efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict trafficking offenders under Article 133 of the penal code.
2. Combat discrimination on account of nationality, ethnic or religious affiliation, and sexual orientation or gender identity.
3. Establish measures to promote tolerance of ethnic and religious diversity in society.
The United States commends Estonia for its efforts to promote tolerance and integration. Estonia’s implementation of anti-trafficking in persons legislation in 2012 was necessary to facilitate prosecution of trafficking offenders. We applaud Estonia for adopting the Civil Union Act and Partnership Act. We also commend the establishment of a Gender Equality Council, and amendments to the Penal Code, which address domestic violence.
(end statement)