A/HRC/41/14 88. Mali welcomed the signing of the peace and cooperation declarations between Eritrea and Ethiopia and between Eritrea and Somalia, as well as the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Cooperation between Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia. 89. Mexico acknowledged the progress made since the previous review cycle, in particular the increased school attendance rates for girls. 90. Montenegro urged the Government to investigate cases of violence against women, particularly during their national service, and to eliminate all forms of violence against returning migrant children. 91. Mozambique expressed appreciation for the Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship between Eritrea and Ethiopia and the Eritrea and Somalia Peace and Cooperation Agreement. 92. Myanmar congratulated Eritrea on the presentation of its national report and on its implementation of the recommendations from the previous review cycle. 93. The delegation of Eritrea stated that national service must be put into context. Following a long liberation struggle, Eritrea had had to cope with threats to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Consequently, national service had been extended beyond 18 months. However, the assertion that there was indefinite national service was out of context and unacceptable, as was the claim that national service constituted forced labour. Forced labour was a criminal offence, while national service was part of the overall system of bringing up a new generation, alongside the national education system and the annual summer work programme for students, which was important as an introduction to community service. 94. Over the last 20 years, continuous demobilization had been taking place. A new remuneration system had been introduced, which had substantially increased the salary of the civil service, and the latest recruits for national service had already been integrated into the system and that process would continue. 95. Eritreans returning from abroad were not imprisoned and efforts were made to facilitate their voluntary return. 96. There were grass-roots movements in many subregions of Eritrea that had declared zero tolerance of female genital mutilation and cutting and early marriage. 97. A framework for the period 2019–2021 in relation to the membership of Eritrea of the Human Rights Council had been drafted and would be implemented seriously. It covered the mainstreaming of human rights into national development, as well as engagement and international cooperation on human rights issues. Eritrea would work in collaboration with other members to maintain the effectiveness and credibility of the Council. 98. The Netherlands remained concerned about issues including national service and the punitive measures that Eritreans faced upon their return after having left the country illegally. 99. Nigeria expressed appreciation for the commitment of Eritrea to upholding human rights and welcomed its initiatives to eliminate poverty and combat malnutrition, which would further enhance socioeconomic well-being. 100. Norway recognized some positive steps taken by Eritrea, in particular with regard to women’s rights, but remained gravely concerned about the overall human rights situation. 101. Oman stated that the national report highlighted the country’s interest in protecting human rights and noted the integrated strategy for the social sector and the efforts to bring about peace in the Horn of Africa. 102. Pakistan expressed appreciation for the efforts made with respect to education, health, political participation, improvement of the justice system and food security. It welcomed the peace process with Ethiopia. 8