A/HRC/19/3 43. The delegation also indicated that in August 2011, the International Committee of the Red Cross had been invited to visit detention centres in Tajikistan. The scope of the draft cooperation agreement with the ICRC will be based on the outcome of this visit and the international obligations and national legislation of Tajikistan. 44. As to freedom of religion, the delegation explained that the new law on religious activities does not restrict freedom of religion, but regulates registration procedures. The law sets out a framework for the functioning of religious organizations and guarantees the freedom of religion. Every citizen has the right to profess any or no religion and to participate in religious services and ceremonies. There is no law forbidding women to wear the hijab or to perform prayers in mosques. The latter issue has been subject to a fatwa by religious scholars, in whose affairs the State could not interfere. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 45. During the interactive dialogue, 42 delegations made statements. A number of countries recognized Tajikistan’s open participation in the universal periodic review and thanked Tajikistan for preparing a comprehensive national report, with the involvement of various Government departments and civil society stakeholders. Recommendations made during the dialogue can be found in section II of the present report. 46. Sri Lanka commended the steps taken to improve the quality of education, including the shift towards a 12 year general-education system, and asked to have further insights on this transition. It noted that citizens were provided with medical and health care assistance free of charge. It also commended Tajikistan for the measures adopted to ensure public security and to combat terrorism. Sri Lanka made a recommendation. 47. The Czech Republic expressed appreciation for the constructive participation of Tajikistan in the universal periodic review. It made recommendations. 48. Algeria noted with appreciation the adoption of a moratorium on the death penalty. It also acknowledged the problems highlighted in the national report, especially the high level of poverty, and encouraged Tajikistan to remain committed in its efforts against drug trafficking. Algeria made recommendations. 49. The Russian Federation noted progress achieved in acceding to international human rights treaties, the harmonization of national legislation in accordance with international norms, the creation of a national human rights institution and the moratorium on the death penalty. It also noted the challenges the country faced, including poverty. The Russian Federation made recommendations. 50. France enquired about measures planned to align the legislation with the definition of torture in the Convention against Torture. A moratorium had been introduced in 2004 and legislation allowed to commute death sentences, but Tajikistan remains the only country in Central Asia which has not abolished the death penalty. It also referred to the numerous incidents of pressure and defamation against journalists and allegations of arbitrary arrests and torture. France made recommendations. 51. China recognized the positive measures taken to promote socio-economic development and the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. China appreciated the poverty-reduction strategy as well as the importance attached to gender equality, elimination of domestic violence, quality of education, health-care services and the rights of persons with disabilities. Tajikistan has actively engaged in international human rights cooperation. China acknowledged the challenges faced by Tajikistan and called on the international community to provide assistance. It made a recommendation. 8