A/HRC/11/37 rights of women and children, and expressed its interest in learning more from Malaysia’s experience and best practices, and looked forward to furthering cooperation in this regard. 709. Egypt stated that Malaysia’s flexibility in accepting most of the recommendations demonstrated not only its cooperative approach but also its determination to further the human rights of its people. It commended Malaysia for the special attention paid to combating human trafficking and to the protection of the rights of women and children, as well as the measures taken to consolidate national human rights infrastructure and the emphasis placed on the advancement of economic, social and cultural rights, with priority given to utilizing the full potential of the diversity of its society. It expressed its firm belief in Malaysia’s continued commitment to pursue its goals in implementing the recommendations with diligence. 710. Bahrain welcomed the fact that Malaysia had accepted most recommendations, including those made by Bahrain. It noted the participation of women in decision-making in the public sphere and Malaysia’s role in combating trafficking and the thorough protection afforded to victims. Malaysia was continuing to provide adequate housing to persons with low incomes. The efforts to guarantee access to free health services were also commendable. 711. China appreciated the serious and responsible attitude shown by Malaysia during the universal periodic review process, having accepted most of the recommendations. Malaysia’s constant investment in human rights legislation, health services and infrastructure for education had resulted in a large reduction in the poverty rate. Malaysia had taken active measures to protect the rights of foreign workers. It believed Malaysia would continue to make an effort to implement national human rights policies through a serious analysis and implementation of the recommendations made during the review and dialogue with the international community. 712. Viet Nam congratulated Malaysia on the new achievements recorded and the plan on the implementation of the recommendations made, which Malaysia had accepted. Viet Nam stated that, as a multicultural and multi-ethnic country, it had always studied and learned from Malaysia’s good practices and experience in maintaining harmony in society as well as the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 713. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia commended the country for the steps taken to amend the Human Rights Commission Act to comply with the Paris Principles. It welcomed the release of 13 detainees under the Internal Security Act, and the fact that the Act would be reviewed. It urged the review also of the Emergency Ordinance Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act, as well as of the police practice of arresting and detaining suspects before investigation. It expressed concern at the arrest of lawyers who defend detained persons. It encouraged Malaysia to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention against Torture, strengthen the independence of the judiciary, review the death penalty and intensify its fight against all forms of trafficking in women and girls. The Commission also noted the absence of a national human rights plan of action and the fact that the Government had not acted on most of the Commission’s recommendations. 714. Amnesty International was disappointed that Malaysia did not support key recommendations to protect refugees, asylum-seekers and migrant workers; to end the practice of whipping for immigration offences; to abolish the death penalty and corporal punishment; and to reform restrictive laws used to suppress peaceful political dissent. It urged Malaysia to reconsider these. Concern was expressed about Malaysia’s rejection of recommendations to further the right to peaceful assembly in the light of recent arrests of 166 GE.09-16766