A/HRC/16/17 26. Iraq appreciated the efforts made by Mauritania to promote and protect human rights, as reflected in the Constitution of 1991. Mauritania had also adopted a series of measures to address human rights challenges. It made a recommendation. 27. Brazil noted the legislation providing for a 20 per cent quota for women in electoral mandates, while noting concerns about the prevalence of discriminatory practices against women, including female genital mutilation. Brazil noted the concerns of the Committee on the Rights of the Child about gavage and the lack of a clear definition of rape and other sexual crimes. Brazil also noted that, owing to unequal access to employment for women, they were overrepresented in the informal sector. Brazil praised the high school enrolment of girls and encouraged the birth registration campaigns. Brazil urged Mauritania to abrogate corporal punishment in law and to abolish the death penalty. Brazil made recommendations. 28. Malaysia positively noted Mauritania’s engagement with the international community and the United Nations human rights machinery. It inquired about the progress made in establishing the OHCHR country office, which had been agreed in September 2009. It made recommendations. 29. Bangladesh was pleased to note that Mauritania had demonstrated the political will to address the situation of women and children. It also welcomed the fact that the poverty reduction strategy paper accorded priority to health. While recognizing challenges facing Mauritania, it acknowledged that the country had been affected by international circumstances, including the financial and economic crisis and the food crisis, and had drawn the attention of the international community in the assessment of human rights in Mauritania. It made recommendations. 30. Morocco expressed appreciation for the effective role played by the National Human Rights Commission, particularly in raising awareness about and promoting education on human rights. Morocco praised the legal framework for ending slavery, addressing its aftereffects and creating support funds for slavery victims. Morocco welcomed Government efforts to ensure the voluntary return of refugees and guarantee their economic and social reintegration. It supported efforts to combat poverty and youth unemployment. Morocco made recommendations. 31. Pakistan welcomed Mauritania’s frank acknowledgement of the challenges faced and was encouraged to note its determination to promote and protect the human rights of its citizens, particularly their economic and social rights. It was concerned by the persistent extreme poverty in Mauritania and stressed that the issue required immediate action. It made recommendations. 32. Egypt congratulated Mauritania on the progress made in the harmonization of domestic laws with international standards in the area of human rights, including laws that had been effective. It paid tribute to Mauritania for improving the human rights situation by allowing the 30 per cent quota for women in the electoral list, as well as with regard to civil society. It also welcomed the positive developments in poverty reduction with a focus on health care and children. It made a recommendation. 33. Poland appreciated the progress made in aligning national legislation with international human rights standards. It noted concerns about violence against children. It asked the steps intended to be taken to end the corporal punishment of children in the public and private spheres. Poland made recommendations. 34. Canada welcomed the positive steps taken by Mauritania in 2007 by creating a framework for criminalizing slavery, underscored the return of Mauritanians in 2008 in cooperation with the High Commissioner for Refugees, and was encouraged by its initiatives to combat discrimination. Canada, however, observed that only a holistic 6