A/HRC/11/25* 79. Finland acknowledged China’s efforts to maintain a functioning justice system. It noted some improvement with regard to the “right for defence” but that implementation of these new provisions may be difficult due to persisting contradictory legislation, including the Criminal Procedure Law. Finland recommended that China (a) take effective measures to ensure that lawyers can defend their clients without fear of harassment and can participate in the management of their own professional organisations. Finland noted that, even though Chinese law prohibits the employment of children under the age of 16, substantial practice of child labour persists particularly in the private sector and that children work in abusive conditions under so-called “Work and Study programmes.” It asked for further information on measures envisaged to prevent the use of child labour, and the implementation of the respective laws and recommended that China (b) develop and adopt a comprehensive policy to combat child labour. Finland also recommended that China (c) withdraw its reservation to the article 6 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 80. Palestine welcomed the efforts undertaken by China to allow all sectors of society to have access to education through grants and financial aid, including to minorities. It also praised the measures and procedures taken to support the health sector, especially to fight against contagious diseases and to guarantee basic primary health coverage. It further praised China for fighting against discrimination against women, notably holding the 1995 World Conference on Women. It asked about measures and procedures taken by China in order to guarantee work for all in the light of an increase in the numbers of persons with degrees as well as the programmes envisaged by China to meet the needs of its inhabitants. 81. Latvia, with reference to the concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, welcomed China’s impressive achievements in reducing poverty, enabling it to attain some key Millennium Development Goals ahead of schedule. It appreciated China’s response to questions regarding cooperation with special procedures, noting ongoing cooperation with special rapporteurs and pending visit requests by several of them, recommending that China (a) step up cooperation with the special procedures and (b) consider extending a standing invitation to all special procedures of the Human Rights Council. 82. Czech Republic commended China’s achievements in the fight against poverty, recommending that it: (a) accede to the OPCAT, improve its national implementation of the CAT, establish an independent and effective complaints procedure for victims of torture and review its compliance with the principle of “non-refoulement”; (b) revise its legislation and practice that violate the right to freedom of expression and release all persons held in this connection, e.g., Mr. Paljor Norbu and persons arrested in connection with Charter 08. In relation to the right to a fair trial, Czech Republic recommended that China (c) reform its State secrets Law and definitions of crimes as incitement to subversion of state power so that they cannot be abused for persecution of human rights defenders in particular petitioners or journalists; (d) ensure the independence of judiciary and lawyers; (e) abolish the system of re-education through labour and black jails. With regard to protection of human rights of national minorities, including Tibetans and Uyghurs, Czech Republic recommended that China (f) review laws and practices in particular with regard to ensuring protection of their freedom of religion, movement, protection of their culture and language. In relation to Tibet, Czech Republic recommended that China (g) end the “strike hard campaign” associated with numerous serious violations of human rights; (h) investigate all cases of police brutality and torture, e.g., death of Mr. Pema Tsepak in Chambo in January this year; and (i) ensure protection of the right of peaceful assembly and release all persons arrested in this connection, e.g., Ms. Tashi Tao and Ms. Dhungtso in Kardze County. 83. New Zealand recognized China’s achievements over the last 30 years in drawing its citizens out of poverty. In seeking membership of the Human Rights Council, China noted GE.09-16299 19