U.S. Statement at the UPR of Tuvalu
As delivered by Huda Ibrahim
30th Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group
Geneva, May 9, 2018
Thank you Mr. President,
The United States welcomes the Tuvalu delegation to the UPR Working Group.
We applaud the government’s efforts to implement recommendations from the previous UPR cycle.
We note that protections for children, including young girls, are inadequately addressed in the penal code. We further note that consensual adult same-sex sexual conduct remains criminalized, and certain existing laws, regulations, customs and practices discriminate against persons with disabilities.
Bearing in mind these concerns, we would like to make the following recommendations:
- Criminalize child pornography and ensure the law criminally prohibits: procuring, offering, providing, obtaining, or using children for prostitution and/or for the production of pornography, or other illicit activities; as well as prohibits the distribution, dissemination, sale, and possession of child pornography;
- Repeal provisions of the penal code that criminalize adult consensual same-sex sexual conduct;
- Take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to modify or abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and practices that constitute discrimination against persons with disabilities.