U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Geneva

U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Uruguay

32^nd Session
Geneva, January 23, 2019

as delivered by Sean Mariano Garcia

The United States welcomes the delegation of Uruguay to the Universal Periodic Review.

We recommend that Uruguay:

1. Improve prison conditions by investing in safe and humane detention facilities, including by increasing access to routine physical and mental health care, clean water, reliable food intake, and increased time outside of detention cells.
2. Take immediate action to prevent cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by guards and staff in Uruguay’s prisons, including by training guards in conflict de-escalation, security procedures, and suicide prevention, and investigating and prosecuting staff who perpetrate physical and psychological abuses.
3. Improve compliance with child labor laws by dedicating more resources to enforcement, particularly in the informal economy.

The United States commends Uruguay’s exemplary leadership of the Inter-American human rights system.

We laud the National Juvenile Corrections Institution for significantly reducing reports of cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment in juvenile detention centers by training officers in new protocols and sanctioning and removing problem officers.

We note that Uruguay has passed comprehensive legislation on gender-based violence and trafficking in persons.  We encourage Uruguay to designate sufficient funding to adequately implement key elements outlined in these laws.