A/HRC/17/7 new Draft Law of the Child. The United Kingdom strongly encouraged Oman to sign both CAT and its Optional Protocol. 58. Oman noted that freedom of expression and opinion were guaranteed for all. The press and other media were devoted to the development of the country as a whole. This is why Oman had been ranked nineteenth in the world according to the global report on information development for 2009–2010. The number of newspapers, magazines and periodicals had increased to over 80. The private sector had started creating private radio and television stations. There was also a continuing increase in the number of Internet sites that offer services in full freedom and transparency. Oman asserted that no person was imprisoned for expressing an opinion as long as certain principles and rules were respected. Oman continually worked on aligning its legislation with ratified instruments. 59. On the question regarding granting citizenship to children as a way to prevent statelessness, the law provided that Omani citizenship is granted to the child of an Omani women if the father is with unknown citizenship, but that the child takes the citizenship of the father, whether he is Omani or not, if the father is of a known citizenship. 60. Chad noted with satisfaction the importance Oman accorded to the review, which allowed States, at regular intervals, to analyse their progress made in the protection of human rights owing to the comments and recommendations of other States. 61. Brazil welcomed the improvements in life expectancy, mortality and literacy rates. It commended Oman for its substantial voluntary pledges, including with regard to accession to international instruments and the withdrawal of reservations. It noted that the situation faced by migrant workers was still of concern. The sponsorship system made them vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment, including trafficking. Domestic workers were particularly vulnerable. The situation of women still required improvements, particularly in the rules on marriage, divorce and child custody. Children born out of wedlock still faced serious vulnerabilities. 62. The Philippines acknowledged the legal infrastructure of Oman and its progress in the area of health development, including comprehensive primary health-care services. It welcomed efforts to increase women’s involvement and participation in public life, and noted the inclusion of human rights concepts in primary school curricula. It commended the drop in infant mortality rates, the prohibition of child labour and the establishment of a national committee concerned with following-up the implementation of CRC. It welcomed measures adopted to safeguard the rights of domestic workers and to address human trafficking. 63. Pakistan was pleased to note that the 2010 Human Development Report listed Oman among the countries that had made the greatest progress in recent decades in education, health and other sectors. It also noted progress in empowering women in the educational and economic spheres. Their participation in all fields needed to be encouraged. It also noted that the rapid pace of economic development had attracted a large number of foreign workers and that a number of legal and administrative measures had been taken to improve their living and working conditions. 64. Sudan noted achievements in the area of child rights and the judicial system, and rapid progress towards comprehensive development in all areas, including health, education and living standards. Within the framework of its development efforts, Oman had also addressed poverty and unemployment. 65. The Syrian Arab Republic appreciated the sincerity of Oman in promoting human rights, including the right to development, and reinforcing the national human rights framework. The Syrian Arab Republic also highlighted the values of peace, tolerance and justice in the collective culture of the Omani people, noting that Oman accorded the highest 10