A/HRC/23/13 Government’s commitment to education and steps taken to incorporate human rights into compulsory education. It noted the National Strategy for the advancement of women. It made recommendations. 25. Canada recalled the United Arab Emirates’ 2008 pledge to establish a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) and enquired about progress. It welcomed steps to improve the living and working conditions of migrant workers, promote values of equality and respect international refugee protection standards despite the absence of a regulating framework. It made recommendations. 26. Austria enquired about steps to better protect religious minorities and ensure freedom of religion and belief. It also asked about the time frame for the enactment of the new legislation on domestic workers and implementation measures. It made recommendations. 27. Azerbaijan congratulated the United Arab Emirates on its accession to certain human rights instruments. It commended efforts to empower women, including through legislative reform. It noted the improvement of education through the establishment of education councils. It made recommendations. 28. Bahrain commended the adoption of legislation and national plans concerning the elderly, the protection of migrant workers, the care of children of unknown parents and the empowerment of women. It wished to know whether there was a mechanism for consulting civil society on human rights policies and legislation. Bahrain made recommendations. 29. Bangladesh welcomed Government efforts to consolidate the human rights situation and commended the formulation of a strategy regarding migrant workers’ rights. It requested information on measures taken to protect the wages of workers. It made a recommendation. 30. Belarus noted the commitment of the United Arab Emirates to combat human trafficking. It welcomed its accession to the Palermo Protocol and its cooperation with the Special Rapporteurs on human trafficking and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. It noted the high level of medical care provided to citizens. It made recommendations. 31. Belgium commended efforts to give effect to the results of the first cycle review and encouraged the United Arab Emirates to continue on this path. It was concerned about restrictions to freedoms of expression and association. It made recommendations. 32. Bhutan noted the establishment of a National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking and asked about mechanisms to support victims of trafficking. It encouraged the United Arab Emirates to continue its cooperation with human rights mechanisms. It made a recommendation. 33. Brazil recognized efforts made against human trafficking and on migrant workers. It was encouraged by measures to expand women’s opportunities and asked which national policies, measures and legislation were in place to address racial discrimination. It made recommendations. 34. Brunei Darussalam welcomed steps to strengthen women’s rights. It was also encouraged by initiatives to ensure the right to education, such as the project to integrate young persons with special needs in schools. It commended the United Arab Emirates’ role as host to the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). It made a recommendation. 35. Burkina Faso noted the ratification of several international human rights instruments, bills under consideration regarding migrant workers and the rights of the child, and the establishment of a centre for child protection. It made recommendations. 6