Madagascar

People living in poverty faced multiple barriers to accessing their economic, social and cultural rights, and remained at risk. Prison conditions continued to be inhumane, overcrowding worsened and the excessive use of pre-trial detention persisted. In the second half of the year, the government committed to addressing the pre-trial detention crisis.

On 19 January 2019 , Andry Rajoelina was sworn in as President, taking over from Hery Rajaonarimampianina following an election. On 27 May 2019, a parliamentary election took place to elect the 151 members of the National Assembly, characterized by low voter turnout (31%). The majority of the seats (84 out of 151) went to the presidential coalition party, Isika Rehetra miaraka amin’I Andry Rajoelina (IRD,) as confirmed by the results pronounced by the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI). In August, the newly- elected National Assembly held its first session.

In November, Madagascar was examined under the UN Universal Periodic Review process for the third time.[1] Madagascar received 203 recommendations, including on torture and degrading conditions in prisons, decriminalization of abortion, and protection of human rights defenders. Madagascar accepted 163, took 29 recommendations under further consideration and rejected 11.