A/HRC/27/15 B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 18. During the interactive dialogue, 84 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 19. Slovenia welcomed the progress achieved with regard to women’s rights in Qatar but remained concerned about discrimination in law and violence against women, including within the family. It shared the concerns of other delegations with regard to the promotion and protection of the rights of migrants. 20. Somalia noted the progress achieved in Qatar since the first cycle. It welcomed the economic development achieved and the successful policies pursued in the legislative, institutional and other sectors. 21. Spain congratulated Qatar on the establishment of its National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and other human rights institutions, and noted the legislation introduced to protect private sector and migrant workers. It welcomed the de facto moratorium on the death penalty since 2003. 22. The State of Palestine welcomed the withdrawal of the general reservation to articles 21 and 22 and of the reservations to articles 1 and 16 of the Convention against Torture. It encouraged Qatar to take the recommendation of NHRC into account, and welcomed the awareness campaigns conducted on women’s and children’s rights. 23. The Sudan applauded the steps taken by Qatar to implement the previous recommendations of the Working Group, and expressed appreciation for its efforts to help Arab countries through development projects such as the ROTA initiative to support communities in Asia. It also commended the role played by Qatar to support peace in Darfur. 24. Sweden welcomed the ratification by Qatar of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the establishment of an institution for women’s empowerment and efforts to promote gender equality. It noted that the Cybercrime Act of 2013 could restrict freedom of expression, and that migrant workers were vulnerable as a result of the sponsorship (kafala) system. 25. Switzerland expressed concern that migrant workers were still subject to human rights violations. Although 28 per cent of women in Qatar were victims of domestic violence, there were no laws to protect them. 26. The Syrian Arab Republic noted a lack of objectivity in reporting. It expressed concerns regarding the role of charitable institutions in Qatar in the absence of transparency and, also, regarding delays in the ratification of international treaties. 27. Thailand applauded the steps taken to promote human rights in Qatar and the assistance that Qatar offered to other countries, including as a migrant-receiving country. It welcomed the commitment of Qatar to providing affordable health care, as well as the establishment of the Qatar Foundation for the Protection of Children and Women. 28. Tunisia welcomed the steps taken by Qatar since 2009 to establish a standing committee to prepare the national report for the UPR process and to improve the national legislative framework. It took note of the establishment of various national plans and strategies, such as the National Vision 2030. 29. Turkey commended the progress achieved by Qatar in human rights in the context of the reform process and the National Vision 2030. It highlighted measures to improve gender equality and to strengthen the status of women in society, in addition to the lively debate on expatriate employee rights. 6

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