A/HRC/19/3 70. Spain acknowledged the steps taken by Tajikistan to strengthen its legal human rights framework. It positively recognized Tajikistan’s accession to most of the international human rights treaties. Spain made recommendations. 71. Afghanistan acknowledged Tajikistan’s achievements, such as the enhancement of the role of women, the adoption of a programme for combating trafficking in persons, the poverty-reduction strategy and calls to reform the State administration. It suggested that Tajikistan, inter alia, adopt measures to alleviate the mass labour migration of the male population and the increase in the number of women-headed households and take stock of the provisions of the UNCT report framing the significance in the decline in the relative poverty rate in 2009, while extreme poverty was alleged to have remained almost unchanged compared to 2007. 72. Sweden noted positively the status of ratifications of core human rights treaties, but requested information on plans to better implement treaty body recommendations. Sweden requested more information on plans to further strengthen the independence of the judiciary. It also sought Tajikistan’s view on issues relating to access to sources of information, including the Internet. Sweden made recommendations. 73. Indonesia applauded Tajikistan on its high rate of ratification of human rights instruments, and its efforts to promote ethnic and gender equality. However, it expressed concern that patriarchal traditions and stereotypes fostered discrimination against girls. It noted that the fight against torture remains a challenge. Indonesia appealed for further assistance to Tajikistan by the international community. It made recommendations. 74. Argentina acknowledged Tajikistan’s efforts regarding human rights issues, such as the adoption of the National Plan of Action for Children (2003-2010), as well as education about human rights. It encouraged Tajikistan to continue to pay attention to that area. Argentina made recommendations. 75. Austria requested Tajikistan to elaborate on the measures taken to eliminate practices such as the detention of children below the age of 14, the lack of juvenile courts and punitive measures. It also enquired whether additional measures were planned to tackle child labour in agriculture and other informal sectors. Finally, Austria asked what efforts had been undertaken to strengthen freedom of expression and to guarantee the independence of the media. It made recommendations. 76. Uruguay acknowledged Tajikistan’s adherence to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols, ILO Convention No. 82 and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, without reservations. It noted the lack of awareness of women’s rights, as well as the re-emergence of patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes in rural areas. It acknowledged the campaigns to protect children from ill-treatment, and the establishment of rehabilitation centres for women and children. It was concerned that such activities were limited to certain regions, that corporal punishment was not prohibited by law and was used to discipline and that child labour was widely used. Uruguay made recommendations. 77. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland commended Tajikistan for its commitments to human rights, but underlined that progress was needed, particularly regarding the independence of the media and freedom of religion. It also noted that the correctional system needed urgent reform and that the penal reform required more that the construction of new prisons. It remained concerned by the persistence of torture in pretrial detention facilities. It made recommendations. 78. Morocco enquired about Tajikistan’s position on the gender approach in development policies and requested more information on the Youth Programme and its implementation. Morocco made recommendations. 11