I am particularly interested in representing the government of Gabon, in this forum on the Global Governance of Human Rights, which is being held this year, as part of the 30th  anniversary celebrations of the Vienna Declaration and Programme. 

On this occasion, I would like to recall that the Organization of Several Forums by China and the regular participation of the representatives from various countries, which undoubtedly  demonstrates our attachment of commitments we have made in favour of the well-being of the  people and our will to guarantee their enjoyment of civil, political, economic, and cultural rights. As regards my country, Gabon, member of the Human Rights Council, I would like to affirm  here that all of our public policies are conducted continuously in accordance with the  recommendations of the United Nations for the promotion and protection of human rights, especially those contained in the Vienna Declaration and its Programme of Action. 

In this context, our work has focused in recent years on guaranteeing the rights of the most  vulnerable people, particularly youth, women, indigenous people, and persons deprived of their liberty. For the benefit of young people, we have undertaken a number of public policies aimed at  protecting them from various forms of violence and discrimination to which they are subjected.  In this case, we have established mechanisms to strengthen their autonomy, guarantee their  participation and their political, economic and social integration, and combat school failure and  drop-out, and guarantee their access to high quality healthcare. 

As far as women are concerned, in the past three years we have improved our legal system through the adoption of particularly innovative laws that have improved our legal system,  reducing or even eliminating the gaps that still exist between men and women. Through a national strategy for the promotion of women's rights and gender inequality, called  "Equality in Gabon", we have set up mechanisms to effectively protect women against conjugal,  domestic and professional violence, to guarantee their freedom to engage in economic and  professional activities, and to offer support and legal assistance to victims. 

The success of this strategy has enabled our country to make a significant leap in protecting and promoting  women's rights, by placing it at the forefront of the continent's countries in terms of gender  issues later. Considering indigenous peoples is also an important focus of our human rights policy. The Gabonese government has always worked for their effective integration into society, especially through policies for the systematic registration of births and ensuring their  representation in parliamentary assemblies. Finally, regarding detained and deprived individuals, the public policies pursued by my country  prioritize respect for their dignity, gradually guaranteeing that their conditions of detention in  accordance with international standards. 

Of course, as in many countries, we continue to face  problems of prison overcrowding, due to outdated detention centers, but we are working to  improve these conditions through the rehabilitation and extension programmes of existing  prisons, to create within them, the aim of the project is to improve the provision of housing for  women and minors and to improve the water supply and medical treatment systems for  prisoners. 

We are also working to put in place policies to prepare for reintegrationon policies, with training workshops, and most importantly, provide education for detained minors as part of a program  to enable them to successfully pass various national primary and secondary exams. More broadly, and in order to guarantee effective protection of the rights of these different  populations, we are working to strengthen national promotion and protection mechanisms. 

In  this context, the imminent adoption by Parliament of the bill reorganizing the National Commission on Human Right, enabling it to strengthen its independence in accordance with  the Paris Principles, which is an important step forward. Similarly, the intensification of our cooperation and collaboration with human rights  mechanisms reflects our commitment to respect the international commitments that we have  undertaken, as demonstrated by some human rights reports drafted and submitted in recent  months. 

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, All these policies, which form part of Gabon's tradition of respect for human rights and the dignity of human beings, are of course carried out in compliance with our freely entered into  international commitments, and with the support of our various international partners, notably hose of the United Nations system, but also bilateral partners such as the Chinese government,  who do not hesitate to accompany us, in particular capacity-building and technical support. 

All these policies, which are in keeping with Gabon's tradition of respect for human rights and  the dignity of the individual, are of course carried out in compliance with our freely entered  into international commitments, and with the support of various international partners, notably  those of the United Nations system, but also bilateral partners such as the Chinese government, who do not hesitate to accompany us, especially in terms of capacity building and technical  support. 

However, in carrying out these activities, we have taken into account our reality and in the best interests of our populations. Certainly, human rights are universal; Certainly, respecting its  international human rights commitments is an obligation to which Gabon intends to submit  itself. But it is equally clear that effectively guarantee the rights of all citizens must take into  account the development needs of the entire population. Slowly but surely, within the framework of cooperation and dialogue with other States and  international organizations, Gabon intends to assert and affirm its human rights governance in the field of human rights. 

Governance are based on international recommendations and directed  towards the well-being of its people and their economic, social and cultural development.  In our opinion, this is the direction that global governance of human rights must take: respect for universal principles at the service of the development of each people. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot conclude my remarks without addressing to the People and Government of the People’s  Republic of China the warmest thanks of the Gabonese people and the highest authorities of  my country for the welcome and kind consideration they have extended to me and the entire delegation accompanying me.

Excerpt from Erlyne Antonela Ndembet Damas's Speech at the "Forum on Global Human Rights Governance".

Mrs. Erlyne Antonela Ndembet Damas is Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, in charge of Human Rights and Gender  Equality