A/HRC/11/16* Education System has advanced basic education. China requested information about any other initiatives that the Government plans to take to further promote basic and higher education. 25. France inquired about the steps to be undertaken by Djibouti to improve the status of women in all areas, especially access to responsible posts, combating illiteracy and putting an end to FGM. It also asked Djibouti about the actual status of ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). France recommended (a) Djibouti take steps to effectively guarantee trade union freedom. It recommended (b) Djibouti extend standing invitation to United Nations Special Procedures mandate holders to visit the country. It also recommended (c) Djibouti ratify ICERD and sign and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons against Enforced Disappearances (CED). 26. Malaysia commended Djibouti’s commitment to human rights and its efforts in support of the implementation of civil and political rights and also economic, social and cultural rights. It recommended Djibouti continue its positive engagements and close cooperation with the various mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, with a view to improving further the steps currently being undertaken in the promotion and protection of human rights of its people. It also recommended further improving access to education for children by increasing the number of primary and secondary schools and by strengthening the higher education system. It also recommended Djibouti redouble its efforts in addressing the issue of extreme poverty and develop more sustainable poverty reduction strategies which include access to clean water, adequate sanitation, food and shelter. 27. Pakistan noted with appreciation that Djibouti has made the Universal Declaration of Human Rights an integral part of the preamble to its Constitution. It also noted the establishment of independent national institutions for the protection of human rights and the inter-ministerial committee to draft reports to treaty bodies. Pakistan noted that Djibouti has frankly stated that it faces challenges to promote the rights of women and children due to the traditional nature of its society. It noted that strengthening actions to eliminate discrimination and violence against women is among the Government’s priorities and requested further information about measures taken to achieve this objective. Pakistan supported Djibouti’s request for assistance in the areas identified in its report. It recommended that the Government of Djibouti further refine its requirements for international assistance. 28. Qatar paid tribute to all the stakeholders who took part in the preparation of the national report. It referred to the 1992 Constitution of Djibouti, which is based on the respect and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It paid tribute to the Government’s strategic aim of improving education and providing it to all. In this connection, Qatar inquired about the measures taken to provide education to disabled children in order to reduce the dropout rate among them. It recommended the Government continue its efforts to reach the MDGs, including increasing the number of secondary schools, by the year 2015. 29. Azerbaijan commended the efforts achieved in the field of human rights and the ratification of a number of international human rights instruments. It inquired what measures were taken to incorporate them into domestic law. It also welcomed the measures taken to guarantee food security and recommended the Government increase its efforts to reduce poverty within society and fight against unemployment. It inquired about the measures taken to ensure women representation in society. 30. The United Arab Emirates welcomed the health policies adopted by Djibouti. It took note of the Government’s methodology for identifying national priorities and called upon the Council to take into account the obstacles faced by the country in this field. It requested 8 GE.09-15263