A/HRC/21/12 37. Singapore noted the Philippines’ emphasis on advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, as embodied by the signing of the Magna Carta of Women in August 2009. It acknowledged progress on the issue of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, Philippines’ resolve to dismantle private armed groups and measures to ensure that the security services observe human rights, particularly through the Bayanihan plan. Singapore made recommendations. 38. Slovakia acknowledged the Philippines’ ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Rome Statute and the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons. It recognized the Philippines’ work with ASEAN and its declared commitment to involve the civil society in the follow-up to the review. Slovakia made recommendations. 39. Slovenia welcomed Philippine’s leadership on human rights education as well as its policies on access to education, but noted its slow implementation. It commended the ratification of the Rome Statute and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. It noted outstanding requests to visit from special procedures mandate holders, including the mandate holder on countering terrorism, since the 2008 UPR. Slovenia made recommendations. 40. South Africa welcomed the Philippines’ decision to set up a National Monitoring Mechanism to monitor progress on cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture. It welcomed the establishment in 2011 of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster and requested further information on results obtained. South Africa made a recommendation. 41. Spain commended the Philippines’ ratification in 2011 of the Rome Statute and more recently, the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, as well as its initiative to create a protection mechanism for human rights within ASEAN. Spain made recommendations. 42. Sri Lanka commended the action taken by the Philippines to combat poverty, promote universal primary education and improve local health standards, particularly through the Pantawid Pamilya programme. It acknowledged efforts to protect migrant workers and their families and laws passed, such as the Magna Carta of Women and the Anti-Child Pornography Law of 2009. Sri Lanka made a recommendation. 43. Sweden welcomed the Philippines’ progress on extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and fighting impunity, embodied by the Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act passed in 2010. It welcomed the Philippines’ intention to provide human rights training to its military and security personnel. Sweden expressed concern about the high rate of maternal mortality and the Philippines’ ability to meet Millennium Development Goal 5. Sweden made recommendations. 44. Switzerland congratulated the Philippines’ on its ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and the Rome Statute. It commended the introduction of its Witness Protection Programme but was concerned about the continuation and number of extrajudicial executions. It welcomed the adoption of laws protecting women, particularly the Magna Carta of Women in 2009. Switzerland made recommendations. 45. Thailand noted the Philippines’ many national and local legislations, policies and action plans that have been implemented to protect human rights, particularly those promoting gender equality, women’s rights, migrant workers’ rights and combating human trafficking, including through the ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons. Thailand made recommendations. 7