Statement 84 - Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate-General

Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate-General

Geneva, Switzerland

Address: Chemin des Fins 2, Case Postale 102, 1211 Geneva 19 - Telephone: 022 799 9100 - Fax: 022 799 9178

Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Working Group

Statement on Madagascar

by Ms Robyn Hodgkin

15 February 2010

Australia welcomes the delegation from Madagascar and appreciates its engagement in the Universal Periodic Review Process.

We are concerned by the ongoing political crisis in Madagascar and call on all parties to abide by the Maputo Accord. We support United Nations and Southern Africa Development Community efforts towards bringing stability to Madagascar, including in the interests of restoring democracy and the rule of law.

We are concerned by the serious human rights violations that have occurred as a result of the current political crisis including killings and violence, unlawful arrest and arbitrary detention, and illegitimate limitations on freedom of expression.

We are particularly concerned by the deaths of unarmed protestors during the riots in Antananarivo prior to the take over of power by the High Authority of Transition in March 2009.

We remain concerned by ongoing United Nations reports of widespread violence against women and children in Madagascar, including human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and child labour.

Australia recommends Madagascar:

1. Open a credible and independent process to investigate the deaths and the events surrounding the March 2009 military coup as called for by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial , summary or arbitrary executions, and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression; and

2. Strengthen efforts to fulfil its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child to protect its most vulnerable populations including women and children, notably in times of crisis.