Universal Periodic Review 48: UK Statement on Bolivia
11 February 2025
The United Kingdom welcomes Bolivia to its third Universal Periodic Review and thanks the delegation for their constructive engagement.
Since our last review, Bolivia has made progress in several areas.
Freedom of expression: The UK welcomes the decriminalisation of defamation and the elimination of criminal penalties for journalists.
Freedom of assembly: We also welcome the adoption of new regulations on the right to peaceful assembly, which should ensure the effective exercise of this right.
Transitional justice: The UK commends Bolivia’s efforts to promote transitional justice and address the legacy of the past.
However, we remain concerned about a number of issues:
Political participation: The UK is concerned about the lack of women’s representation in politics. Women account for only 25% of members of the Chamber of Deputies and 23% of members of the Senate.
Judicial independence: The UK calls on Bolivia to strengthen the independence of the judiciary. This includes ensuring that judges are appointed on the basis of merit and that they are free from political interference.
Torture and ill-treatment: The UK is concerned about reports of torture and ill-treatment by security forces. We urge Bolivia to investigate these allegations and hold those responsible to account.
Environmental protection: The UK is concerned about the high levels of deforestation in Bolivia. We urge the government to take steps to protect its forests, which are vital for the global climate and biodiversity.
The UK makes the following recommendations:
- Increase the representation of women in politics.
- Strengthen the independence of the judiciary.
- Investigate allegations of torture and ill-treatment by security forces.
- Take steps to protect Bolivia’s forests.
The UK stands ready to support Bolivia in its efforts to promote and protect human rights. We believe that Bolivia has the potential to be a leading example of human rights and democracy in the Americas.
Universal Periodic Review 48: UK Statement on Bolivia
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