A/HRC/16/13 30. France noted that Croatia had yet to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Noting the country’s efforts to adapt its judicial procedures in order to combat impunity for war criminals, France indicated that efforts must still be undertaken to reduce the backlog of cases. France noted Croatia’s ambitious legislation on the rights of women, children and disabled persons, the appointment of three ombudsmen and the adoption of multi-year national strategies. France made recommendations. 31. Belgium regretted the lack of visibility of and follow-up to the work of the Ombudsperson. Belgium inquired about the measures taken to publicize the work of the Ombudsperson and follow up on its observations and recommendations. Belgium expressed concern regarding the difficulties faced by some marginalized persons in terms of access to justice and free legal aid, asking whether the authorities had already assessed the current legislation or intended to do so. Belgium made recommendations. 32. Brazil noted the progress made on the Millennium Development Goals, including with regard to extreme poverty, health care and education. Brazil requested further information about the functioning and results of the system of free legal aid. Brazil noted the need for further progress by Croatia in certain areas, including gender equality and empowerment of women; non-discrimination and the social integration of ethnic minorities, particularly Serbs and Roma; and the resettlement of refugees. Brazil made recommendations. 33. Egypt highlighted the fact that Croatia’s Ombudsperson had been accredited with “A” status and praised the country’s efforts to promote gender. Egypt noted that Croatia was on track to achieve several Millennium Development Goals and requested further information about the progress made in promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights. Egypt acknowledged Croatia’s openness in identifying challenges, such as war crimes and the rights of national minorities. Egypt referred to Croatia’s co-operation for the implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. Egypt made recommendations. 34. Turkey was pleased at the achievements accomplished in improving the enjoyment of the right to education, welcoming the fact that elementary school education had been made obligatory and free of charge. Turkey expressed appreciation for the legal prohibition of the corporal punishment of children. Turkey encouraged the Government to further develop private media in order to maintain plurality and freedom of expression. Turkey made recommendations. 35. The Netherlands praised the adoption of the Free Legal Act, while noting reports that equal access to administrative and judicial bodies was not ensured under the Act. It also praised the enshrinement of the right to access to information in the Constitution, which strengthened the possibility of citizens’ enjoyment of that right. It urged Croatia to hold accountable those involved in human rights violations in the 1990s in order to prevent impunity, and encouraged Croatia to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in order to establish full accountability for past events. It made recommendations. 36. Pakistan congratulated Croatia on being on track to achieve Millennium Development Goals. Pakistan requested further information about how the principle of restriction of freedoms and rights of citizens was determined and how the monitoring of hate crimes could be instrumental in enacting new legislation. Pakistan made recommendations. 37. The Republic of Korea noted with concern that minorities still faced discrimination in many instances, including in repossessing their property upon their return, and their limited ability to acquire citizenship. It stated that strengthened protection should be 7