A/HRC/15/16 34. Malaysia was encouraged to note the ongoing engagement with the international human rights system in terms of capacity-building and technical assistance, as well as the partnership between the Government and civil society in establishing a specialized network of public institutions. It made recommendations. 35. Italy acknowledged that, while freedom of religion and worship was constitutionally guaranteed, religious minorities were subject to different treatment by the Orthodox Church, and asked what measures were intended to be taken to guarantee full respect for freedom of religion. Italy made recommendations. 36. India referred to the fact that Belarus had achieved its goal of eradicating poverty and was on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of reducing child mortality, protecting maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS and attaining sustainable development. It referred to the country’s adoption of a number of legal instruments for the protection of children, the establishment of a Council on Gender Policy and measures taken to combat trafficking. 37. Switzerland asked for confirmation that two individuals had been executed last March despite the delay requested by the Human Rights Committee. It also stated that obstacles to freedom of expression and assembly remained important, in particular the registration procedure for human rights defenders, independent media and political parties. Switzerland made recommendations. 38. Cuba noted the political commitment of Belarus to human rights. It emphasized the provision of free education and health care, the eradication of illiteracy, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal on primary education, the low level of maternal and child mortality, and the drastic reduction in HIV/AIDS among young people. It inquired about the work of the International Teaching Centre on migration and the fight against trafficking. Cuba made recommendations. 39. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic noted the progress made by Belarus as a democratic State based on the rule of law and social justice since its independence. It referred to the effects of the Second World War and the Chernobyl accident on the country’s economy and the population’s health. It made a recommendation. 40. Austria welcomed measures taken to improve prison conditions for detainees, but noted persisting harsh conditions in detention centres and expressed concern about the use of torture, judicial procedures falling short of fair trial, and cases of unlawful detention. It stated that Belarus continued to carry out executions and that the rights of minorities were still not respected. Austria made recommendations. 41. Palestine noted the integration of human rights into the Constitution. It welcomed efforts to ensure respect for freedom of opinion and religion, to provide necessary services to refugees, to raise the status of women and to combat discrimination and intolerance. Palestine made recommendations. 42. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) highlighted the rapid progress made in the living standards of the people of Belarus owing to the allocation of 85 per cent of public investment to social assistance. It noted that social rights were guaranteed in conditions of equality and inclusiveness and without discrimination. Venezuela made a recommendation. 43. Morocco congratulated Belarus on its institutional human rights framework, especially to protect the rights of women, children, the elderly and the disabled. It asked whether Belarus would ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It acknowledged the country’s efforts in the area of human and social development. Morocco made recommendations. 7