A/HRC/21/12 112. The Republic of the Union of Myanmar noted the remarkable progress achieved in the context of human rights and recognized the Philippines’ constructive role as an active member of the Human Rights Council. Myanmar made recommendations. 113. The Netherlands acknowledged the Philippines’ commitment to improving the human rights of its citizens and commended it for its accession to the Rome Statute. The Netherlands made recommendations. 114. New Zealand requested information on the steps taken to ensure that national legislation was in full alignment with the Philippines’ obligations under the Rome Statute. It also noted concerns regarding maternal mortality and the impact of restrictions to health care on women’s human rights. It made recommendations. 115. Nicaragua highlighted the Philippines’ endeavours through both its adhesion to new international human rights instruments and its adoption of new laws and designing of national policies. It underscored the progress made in the promotion of the rights of vulnerable groups. Nicaragua made recommendations. 116. Norway welcomed the Philippines’ accession to the Rome Statute but noted that institutional deficiencies and weak law enforcement mechanisms hampered the implementation of basic human rights. It also noted that the police and military forces continued to be among the top human rights violators. Norway made recommendations. 117. Pakistan appreciated the emphasis placed on advancing economic, social and cultural rights to combat poverty. It enquired about feedback from litigants on the effectiveness of the informal and inexpensive procedures introduced to increase access to justice for poor people. Pakistan made a recommendation. 118. Palestine underlined the efforts undertaken by the Philippines to promote economic, social and cultural rights as well as the rights of women and children. It also welcomed the ratification of the 1954 Stateless Persons Convention and the Rome Statute. Palestine made recommendations. 119. Portugal highlighted the progress achieved by the Philippines in fighting corruption, good governance and poverty alleviation. It also welcomed the pledge to strengthen the Commission on Human Rights, especially to include monitoring of economic, social and cultural rights. Portugal made recommendations. 120. Morocco requested information on the main lines of the Social Contract, especially with regard to the fight against corruption and poverty, and enquired whether the Contract included a section on education and training in human rights. Morocco made a recommendation. 121. In response to questions raised, the head of delegation stated that the prosecution and conviction of traffickers had more than doubled in the recent short period of time that the Administration ahs been in power. She said that national, local and regional task force offices conducted rescue operations for trafficking victims. The Philippines has also stepped up and maximized awareness-raising programmes relating to trafficking, especially in rural areas. 122. The delegation stated that in order to address issues related to persons with disabilities, the Philippines had enacted a Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities – a comprehensive law providing for the enjoyment of basic rights and privileges of persons with disabilities (PWDs). 123. In the Philippines, PWDs enjoy a 20-per-cent discount when purchasing medicine and food, as well as for hospitalization, transportation, entertainment and in lodging establishments, and a 5-per-cent discount on purchases of basic and prime commodities. 14