A/HRC/8/46 Page 9 35. Bhutan noted and commended Sri Lanka on the success in the area of economic, social and cultural rights, manifested through the achievement of the highest Human Development Index ranking in the sub-region. It recommended that Sri Lanka further continue its programmes to develop former conflict zones in order to bring afflicted communities at par with those living in other provinces. It recommended that the international community, particularly those in a position to do so, consider how support may be extended to assist Sri Lanka in bridging existing gaps in order to enable them to move closer to the effective realization of the full range of human rights for all Sri Lankans. 36. The Holy See commended Sri Lanka on the numerous national human rights mechanisms put in place and attention was drawn to the plight of the many child soldiers who are enrolled by the Tigers, but also, as confirmed by many reports, by the Karuna group, which seems close to the Government. The Holy See encouraged the authorities of Sri Lanka to investigate the involvement of the paramilitary Karuna Group of abducting children for use as soldiers. The Holy See requested Sri Lanka to share the findings of the special bodies created to stop the persistent pattern of enforced disappearances and the measures put into place to address this problem. 37. China noted the setting up of the NHRC and the inter-ministerial committee on human rights, and the active cooperation with human rights mechanisms. Good progress has also been made with regard to the Millennium Development Goals, as well as in the Human Development Index. China also noted the continuous efforts to promote and protect human rights despite huge difficulties due to terrorism and armed conflict, and asked about the status of the preparation of the NAP and recommended that Sri Lanka, with the support of the international community, continue to enhance the capacity-building of its national human rights institutions. 38. Saudi Arabia commended the efforts made to ensure conformity with international civil and political rights as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and noted that inter alia the adoption of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) proves its commitment to promote and protect human rights for all its citizens. Saudi Arabia asked about steps taken to protect social, political, cultural, and economic rights of minorities in Sri Lanka. 39. Mexico noted the moratorium on capital punishment, asked for additional information on the bill for the protection of victims and witnesses, and enquired whether there is a timeframe for its approval and whether it will apply to victims of human rights violations. Mexico recommended that (a) Sri Lanka step up its activities to eliminate discrimination against ethnic minorities in terms of enjoyment of the full range of human rights, in line with the comments of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), Committee on the Rights of the Child and Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Mexico also noted the drafting of a human rights charter under the Constitution and recommended that (b) Sri Lanka take into account the comments of the Human Rights Committee that it include all the substantive provisions of the ICCPR within its national legal structure. Finally, Mexico urged Sri Lanka to (c) implement various recommendations made by treaty bodies and special procedures to ensure that security measures adopted in the context of armed violence including the state of emergency the 2005 emergency laws and measures to combat terrorism comply with international human rights law. 40. The Syrian Arab Republic noted the progress made in vital sectors, in particular social services, education, and the empowerment of women, in addition to the establishment of the NHRC and the possible introduction of a human rights charter. It recalled, also, that the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief had previously indicated that Sri Lanka enjoys a high level of religious harmony and freedom of belief. Syria enquired, however, about how Sri Lanka could