A/HRC/11/25* Venezuela noted that as a result of putting people at the centre of its policies, China improved its living standards and encouraged the Government to continue. 90. Senegal noted that China has achieved significant results in health, education and in combating poverty, allowing it to attain some of its Millennium Development Goals. It said the choice to integrate human rights education into school curricula demonstrates a real will to ensure effective human rights promotion and protection and is a good practice. It asked if China envisages acceding to the International Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and Their Family Members. 91. Colombia noted that the national report reflected clearly a wide range of aspects and topics of human rights, as well as the achievements made and the challenges that still existed. Colombia praised the progress made in the area of economic and social rights, which had beneficial effect on the rights of women and children. Colombia stressed the great importance attached by China in the promotion of the rights of women and children requesting more information on the functions and actions of the National Labour Committee on women and children, including the policies dealing with migrant women workers. Colombia further requested information on the progress and results made in the Development Programme for Childhood for the period of 2001–2010. 92. Sweden welcomed progress in the last decade, notably in economic, social and cultural rights. It recommended that (a) China create conditions for an early ratification of the ICCPR. It further recommended (b) removing restrictions on freedom of information and expression; c)taking urgent steps to abolish the various systems of arbitrary detention; (d) ensuring that any reformed prison or compulsory care system meets international human rights standards; (e) continuing and deepening judicial reform, including by adopting measures to address the institutional weakness and lack of independence of the judiciary; (f) abolishing or reforming the current hukou residency system to ensure that all citizens are ensured basic access to education, health care and other relevant social welfare systems on an equitable basis and in line with the principles of non-discrimination; and (g) lifting the current reservation to article 8.1(a) of the ICESCR, which ensures the right of everyone to form trade unions and join the trade union of his or her choice and welcomed more information on possible reforms in this area. Sweden also recommended (h) establishing an independent national human rights institution in line with the Paris principles. 93. Thailand noted that China has undergone a remarkable and steady economic transformation, made meaningful progress in human rights promotion and protection over the past three decades and continues to do so. It is party to six core international human rights instruments and has translated international norms and standards into a wide range of domestic legislation covering all areas of human rights, especially the rights of vulnerable groups such as women, children and persons with disabilities. Welcoming China’s initiation of its process to become party to the ICCPR, it hoped the process would proceed expeditiously. It said the need to tackle poverty and promote development is an essential building block and China’s success in this is not only significant in itself but should enlarge the space for enhancing human rights in other spheres. Noting that with the rapid economic growth China has enjoyed in recent times, it is likely to face a major task of environmental protection, it welcomed also the implementation of the National Programme of Action on Environment and Health, aimed at ensuring the safety, health and wellbeing of the people. It expressed confidence that, with the manifest commitment of the Government, the pace of positive change and progressive developments will lead to continued enhancement of human rights in all dimensions for the benefit of the people of China and the international community as a whole. 94. Myanmar welcomed the significant progress made in social spheres such as education, culture and public heath sectors, testimonies of the China’s political will to promote and protect the human rights of the Chinese people. It praised China for the 22 GE. 09-16299