US asks Seychelles to “fully investigate alleged election irregularities”
This recommendation was included in the United States’ statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Seychelles in Geneva on Monday.
On Monday, Seychelles’ human rights record was examined by the UN Human Rights Council’s Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The review, which was based on three documents – a national report compiled by government, a compilation of information contained in the reports of independent human rights groups, and a summary of stakeholders’ information – will culminate in the publication of an outcome report by the Working Group later today. As part of the process, statements were delivered by around 50 countries in which they appraised the country’s progress and set forth their recommendations for future action.
Whereas many recommendations, especially those of developed countries, centred on the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships, the US government had another message altogether.
Indeed, its statement focused on last December’s Presidential election. “We note the recent presidential election, which led to an historic runoff, and welcomed the participation of both international and local election observers. Nevertheless, we are concerned by reports that some opposition candidates were not able to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and association in the lead-up to the election”. Consequently, it recommends that government “fully investigate alleged election irregularities and ensure proper due process is followed in all court challenges”. The US also commended “the Constitutional Court’s decision to strike down the Public Order Act as unconstitutional, thereby better protecting and promoting the right to freedom of assembly”.
The forthrightness of the US contrasts with the other countries which comprised the European Union’s observer mission. Indeed, the other countries that were represented in the delegation, such as the UK and France, mentioned the election only fleetingly, if at all. “We applaud Seychelles for its recent Presidential election, which despite being – and still being hotly contested – took place peacefully”, the UK said in its statement. For its part, France made no reference whatsoever to the event. Instead, most recommendations centred on the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships, the strengthening measures to protect women and children against sexual and domestic violence and ensuring that the National Human Rights Commission adheres to the Paris Principles.
The representative of the Holy See, Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, recommended that Seychelles “continue its efforts to safeguard its efforts in order to place a premium on education, particularly by assuring that there be a sufficient number of properly trained local teachers”. In his opening statement, the head of the delegation of Seychelles, Ambassador Barry Faure, noted that the UPR mechanism “provides an invaluable platform for countries to exchange best practices, share ideas and collaborate, all towards the full realization of human rights for all persons”. On the subject of the election, Ambassador Faure had this to say: “As you may know, Seychelles underwent free, fair and peaceful Presidential Elections last month, whereby the incumbent President, Mr James Alix Michel, was re-elected. Seychelles underwent two rounds for its Presidential Election, as in the first round, no political party received more than 50% of votes cast as required by our Constitution”.
Interestingly, Seychelles’ Secretary of State at the Foreign Affairs Department also indicated that “Seychelles is starting to work on legislation on access to information, a right that is already provided for in our Constitution”. Monday’s review, which as per procedures was meant to last three and a half hours, was conducted by the UPR Working Group. They were assisted by a troika of countries – Albania, Kenya and Portugal – which acted as rapporteurs. Based on the three documents mentioned above and interactive discussions between Seychelles and other UN member States, the troika will prepare an outcome report. Its recommendations are expected to be adopted today.
According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: “The reviewed State has the opportunity to make preliminary comments on the recommendations choosing to either accept or note them. Both accepted and noted recommendations are included in the report. After the report has been adopted, editorial modifications can be made to the report by States on their own statements within the following two weeks. The report then has to be adopted at a plenary session of the Human Rights Council”. Whether the recommendation of the US regarding the “alleged election irregularities” will be included in the outcome report and indeed either accepted or noted by Seychelles remains to be seen.
Source: Today 1-27-16