Djibouti - Universal Periodic Review

UPR 30, May 10, 2018
Recommendations by Canada

Recommendations

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Thank you, Mr. President.

Canada welcomes the adoption by Djibouti of legislation raising the minimum quota of women on party lists for parliamentary elections.

Canada recommends that Djibouti:

1. Amend its laws to guarantee the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly for all, including opposition groups, journalists and human rights advocates, and provide them with the tools they need to share their views without experiencing intimidation in any form.
2. Enhance its strategy in rural areas for eliminating harmful practices affecting women and girls, such as early or forced marriage, female genital mutilation and unequal inheritance.
3. Put in place a code of conduct for military personnel prohibiting acts of violence, including sexual violence, including against Afar women and girls.
4. Enhance the protection of refugee women and children by increasing the number of law enforcement officers in refugee camps.

Canada welcomes the 2017 adoption by Djibouti of progressive national legislation on refugees aimed at allowing them to obtain official identification papers and improved access to education and health care.

Background

According to UPR Info, a non-profit, non-governmental organization that tracks the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, in the first two cycles of the UPR, Djibouti received 259 recommendations, of which 217 were accepted (an acceptance rate of 84%). Canada’s previous recommendations to Djibouti were related to violence against women and the rights of journalists, media and opposition groups.

Djibouti is a republic with a multiparty political system. However, rights groups report that the opposition’s ability to operate is constrained and that freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association are restricted. Human rights advocates, members of the opposition, and labour groups report repression, arbitrary arrest and detention, and the excessive use of force. The Government of Djibouti adopted a law in 1992 (n°1/AN/92 2ème) that inhibits the establishment of political parties by putting undue constraints on them. Furthermore, the government has not yet provided opposition parties with sufficient access to financing, as set out in law n°127/AN/16 7ème.

Positive steps include Djibouti’s ongoing efforts to increase public recognition of the rights of women and to ensure respect. The government is leading efforts to stop illegal and abusive traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation (FGM). This includes the development of several measures to implement its national strategy for the total elimination of all forms of excision. While progress has been achieved in urban areas, increased attention towards FGM eradication in rural areas is required. Through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, Canada provides funding aimed at building the capacity of local groups working to eradicate FGM in rural areas. Another important advancement is the legislation passed requiring a 25% minimum quota of women on party lists for parliamentary elections (previously 10%). During the February 2018 legislative elections, 15 women were elected to Parliament, compared to 8 women elected in the 2013 elections. 

Djibouti is a transit country for migration and also hosts over 27,000 refugees. In 2017, Djibouti passed a progressive refugee law that aims to strengthen the integration of refugees and to improve access to education and health services.