A/HRC/31/11 8. The delegation stated that the amendments introduced to the Constitution in 2011 constituted a comprehensive development in the protection, promotion and respect of human rights. In that vein, the Sultanate had agreed in principle to adhere to the following conventions: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. 9. According to the delegation, the Sultanate had also agreed in principle to withdraw its reservation to article 15 (4) of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Furthermore, Oman guaranteed, through articles 11 to 40 of its Constitution, the three generations of human rights. Although the Sultanate was not a party to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, it guaranteed the large majority of rights enshrined in that convention. 10. The delegation noted that the political system in Oman was stable and founded on the rule of law, good governance and equality among citizens. One of the main principles in the Constitution was the achievement of economic and social development. Constitutional amendments gave extensive legislative and regulatory powers to the Council of Oman in order to affirm the importance of political participation and the democratic process. Free and transparent elections for the Shura Council had been held recently under the supervision of the high electoral commission, as stipulated by the Constitution. The National Human Rights Commission had observed the elections. 11. The delegation highlighted that the judicial system had been reformed and that the judiciary consequently enjoyed further administrative and financial independence. The Constitution expressly stated that the judiciary should be independent, its authority should be exercised by the courts in their different types and hierarchies, and their judgments should be rendered in accordance with the law; that there should be no power over judges in their ruling except for the law; that judges should be irremovable; and that it was not permissible for any party to interfere in lawsuits or affairs of justice, and such interference would be considered a crime punishable by law. 12. The delegation noted that the Constitution also affirmed the freedom of opinion and expression, which could be exercised in speech, in writing and in other means of expression, and that that freedom was enshrined in Omani legislation. 13. The delegation stated that the right to education was one of the most important rights; it had been among the Government’s priorities since 1970. The Constitution affirmed that education was the cornerstone for the progress of society and that the State was to work to combat illiteracy and encourage and promote the sciences, arts, literature and scientific research. The Sultanate supported the establishment of innovation within the national education goals to enable students to keep abreast of scientific progress, especially in the technical field, which provided more employment opportunities for young people. 14. The delegation indicated that the United Nations, in a joint report, had noted the progress achieved by the Sultanate in developing the national strategy for the child. The Government had developed, in consultation with the civil society, a national work plan for the advancement of children and established a commission to prevent the ill-treatment of children. 15. The delegation stated that the Sultanate was a pioneer in the region with respect to women’s rights. Women had equal opportunities in higher education and in the labour market and were represented in the highest positions in the State as ministers, deputy ministers, ambassadors and members of the Council of Oman and in other administrative posts in both the public and private sectors. Women had also become active members in the 4