Tonga – Universal Periodic Review

Session reviewed: 43rd session of the Universal Periodic Review

Date reviewed: May 1, 2023

Canada commends the Kingdom of Tonga for implementing a series of child abuse awareness programs in schools through the Women and Children Crisis Centre, and for the work of its police force in assisting the National Centre for Women and Children to provide shelter for women and children who are victims and survivors of violence and abuse.

Canada recommends that Tonga:

• Repeal all legislation that criminalizes consensual same-sex relationships, in line with international human rights standards.
• Ratify the ICCPR, the ICESCR, the CEDAW and the CAT, and take steps to raise social awareness of these important instruments.
• Abolish the death penalty, recognizing its de factomoratorium since 1982.
• Take measures to increase women’s participation at all levels of social, political, and economic decision-making.

Canada commends Tonga for holding fair and peaceful national elections in November 2021 and takes note of the increased number of women parliamentarians.