A/HRC/13/2 Page 9 39. Spain encouraged Eritrea to strengthen the rule of law as a basic means of protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. It also addressed five issues, namely the cooperation with special procedures of the Human Rights Council, the ratification of international instruments, the death penalty, women rights and the implementation of the 1997 Constitution and made related recommendations. 40. Australia commended Eritrea for the adoption of the 2007 law abolishing female genital mutilation and its five-year strategic plan and the awareness-raising campaign in this regard. Australia was deeply concerned at the reported situation regarding the right to life, liberty and security of the person. It also noted the reported existence of secret detention facilities and shared the concerns of United Nations special procedures at reports of detention and torture of members of religious minority groups and reports of journalists being arbitrarily arrested and detained, and at the situation of human rights defenders resulting from restrictions placed on Eritrean and international non-governmental organizations. Australia made several recommendations. 41. France posed questions concerning invitations to Human Rights Council special procedures and Eritrea’s intention to start real cooperation with them; the criminalization of female genital mutilation and action envisaged to implement relevant legislation; and freedom of movement at the borders and protection of the rights of Eritreans who are repatriated against their will. France made a number of recommendations. 42. Norway expressed the belief that civil society play an important role in fostering a culture of human rights, and that their active participation is essential to a meaningful UPR process. It appreciated that Eritrea is party to several human rights instruments but expressed concerned at the lack of implementation of fundamental human rights, including freedom of opinion, expression, association and peaceful assembly. Norway expressed concerns about reports indicating that children are victims of torture and cruel and degrading treatment by the police and military and about the situation of political prisoners and detained journalists. Noting that gender equality is an issue of highest importance to be addressed in Eritrea, Norway commended Eritrea’s efforts to increase focus on gender issues. The promotion of a public stance against domestic violence and the work carried out by the National Union of Eritrean Women were mentioned. Norway made several recommendations. 43. Ireland welcomed Eritrea’s commitment to abolishing female genital mutilationand the proclamation in 2007 which criminalizes the practice, and requested further information on the progress made to date. Ireland asked whether Eritrea would be willing to extent a standing invitation to the Human Rights Council special procedures. Ireland made recommendations. 44. Qatar noted that Eritrea spared no effort to respond to the urgent needs of the population and ensure development of the country for the achievement of all human rights. Qatar made reference to the five-year plan aimed at accelerating economic development, combating poverty and providing education, health care and employment opportunities for every citizen. Qatar noted with satisfaction the doubling of the budget allocated to education between 2000 and 2005 and valued the Government decision to allow children to study in their mother tongue in primary school. Qatar made a recommendation.