A/HRC/18/16 14. In the area of promotion and protection of children's rights, a number of legislative and executive measures have been taken aimed at the best interest of the child, especially children in difficult circumstances, such as children of unknown parents and deprived of parental care. 15. The delegation hoped that the UPR mechanism could allow for replacing other mechanisms, including special procedures country mandates which are characterized by selectivity and double standards and used for purposes unrelated to human rights, and which have proven to be ineffective and in need of reform. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 16. During the interactive dialogue, 52 delegations made statements. A number of delegations noted the broad consultations involving multiple stakeholders during the preparations for the UPR exercise. Additional statements which could not be delivered during the interactive dialogue owing to time constraints are posted on the extranet of the UPR when available.1 Recommendations made during the dialogue can be found in section II of the present report. 17. Algeria commended the successful holding of elections last year and encouraged Sudan to continue peace efforts in Darfur and to extend the rule of law throughout the country. Algeria enquired about Sudan’s views on the role of international human rights mechanisms and their interaction with national mechanisms. Algeria made recommendations. 18. The United Arab Emirates commended the achievements in realizing peace and stability in the country through the Abuja Agreement and the holding of the referendum on Southern Sudan. In spite of complex challenges, Sudan has come a long way in promoting and protecting the rights of women, children, the elderly and the disabled. The United Arab Emirates made recommendations. 19. Bahrain welcomed the position taken by the Government of Sudan on the results of the referendum, which was a major step in implementing the CPA. It appreciated the efforts to strengthen women’s rights, including through the elaboration of policies to fight violence against women and improve their status, and the efforts to protect child rights. Bahrain made recommendations. 20. Qatar appreciated the signing of the CPA and the holding of elections in 2010 and the referendum on Southern Sudan in January 2011. It highlighted its mediation role and noted that it had established the Darfur Development Bank to promote peace through development. Qatar enquired about verification of compliance with the ban on child soldiers and called on the international community to provide support. Qatar made a recommendation. 21. Singapore stated that the successful transformation of Sudan required strengthening the rule of law, democratic governance and an end to impunity. The conducting of the January 2011 referendum, following the CPA and the Interim Constitution, should allow Sudan to focus on poverty eradication and rebuilding the health system that had been disrupted by the long conflict. Singapore made recommendations. 1 These include statements from Chad, United States of America, Yemen, Morocco, Denmark, Argentina, Mexico, the Netherlands, Hungary, Germany, Indonesia, Maldives, Sweden, Slovakia, Senegal, Iraq, Nigeria, Swaziland, Tanzania, Philippines, Kenya, Viet Nam, Central African Republic, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of ). 5