Mauritius - Universal Periodic Review

UPR 31, November 07, 2018
Recommendations by Canada

Recommendations

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Thank you, Mr. President

Canada welcomes the progress Mauritius has made in preventing gender-based violence, including by amending the Protection from Domestic Violence Act to include sexual violence against a spouse as part of the definition of domestic violence.

Canada recommends that Mauritius:

1. Strengthen access to justice for victims of gender-based and domestic violence, investigate all allegations of sexual violence, bring perpetrators to justice and provide training to law enforcement and the judiciary on how to properly interact with possible victims when their claims are brought forth and how to manage cases accordingly.
2. Expand activities aimed at educating and empowering women and girls on gender-based violence and the recourses available to them, for instance through awareness campaigns and support services.
3. Repeal Section 250 of the Criminal Code Act with a view to decriminalizing same-sex sexual conduct between consenting adults.

Canada continues to be concerned about human trafficking and encourages Mauritius to continue its efforts to investigate, prosecute and convict suspected traffickers. 

Background

According to UPR Info, a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) that tracks the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, in the first two cycles of the UPR, Mauritius received 243 recommendations, of which 180 were accepted (an acceptance rate of 74%). Canada’s previous recommendations to Mauritius were related to women’s rights, domestic and gender-based violence, LGBTI rights, education and freedom of the press.

Mauritius is a state party to most major UN and international human rights instruments. The Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare has made it one of its main objectives to promote family welfare and to combat gender-based violence, including committing to a United Nations agenda of eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres by 2030.

Progress has been made in addressing gender-based violence, including through government-supported organizations empowering women, and a legislative amendment to the Protection from Domestic Violence Act to include sexual violence and unwanted sexual conduct within households within the definition of “domestic violence”, but implementation and utilization of these resources and laws is still lacking.

While LGBTI rights advocates have been increasingly vocal in Mauritius, the issue remains sensitive. The 13^th edition of the Pride Parade was cancelled in June 2018 after threats and pressure from opponents to the event. Also, section 250 of the Criminal Code Act still penalizes same-sex sexual conduct between consenting adults.

Despite continued efforts by local authorities, human trafficking – including of children – remains an issue of concern in Mauritius, especially with school-age girls. Protections have been put in place, but resources for both children and adults in danger of becoming victims of human trafficking are lacking.