A/HRC/28/10 legislation has been created to ensure free access to legal documents. The delegation noted a number of measures taken to ensure better protection of persons’ rights and liberty, including continuous modernization of law-enforcement agencies. 18. The delegation provided responses to a number of advanced questions. Regarding the death penalty, Kazakhstan has been firmly moving towards gradual abolition. Despite the fact that Kazakhstan has not yet ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty (ICCPR-OP 2), the Government has followed international standards by declaring a moratorium on the death penalty and by utilizing alternatives to life imprisonment. 19. In relation to the use of torture, the delegation stated that Kazakhstan has applied a strict policy of zero tolerance. A national preventive mechanism has been established to prevent torture based on the model of “Ombudsman +”. 20. The Government continued to pay special attention to combating trafficking in human beings. With respect to visits of the special mandate holders of the Human Rights Council, the delegation emphasized that, in 2009, Kazakhstan issued a standing invitation to all special mandate holders. 21. Domestic legislation was reformed to bring it into line with the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Therefore, stateless persons have been entitled to the right to work in Kazakhstan. The law prohibited the expulsion of refugees and asylum seekers in the case of threats to life and freedom. 22. The delegation expressed the Government’s commitment to continue its work towards further improvement of national legislation and practice in human rights, taking into account international standards and commitments. The Government acknowledged that building democracy and the rule of law requires continuous efforts and progressive realization. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 23. During the interactive dialogue, 73 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 24. China commended Kazakhstan’s democratic reforms and the efforts to protect women’s rights, reduce domestic violence, protect children, maintain inter-ethnic and interreligious harmony, combat extremism and terrorism and improve social security and health care. China made recommendations. 25. Costa Rica congratulated Kazakhstan’s human rights progress, particularly on human rights education and environmental rights. It was concerned about repression of peaceful protests and obstacles to freedom of expression and assembly. It inquired about measures to address the needs of the victims of nuclear testing. It made recommendations. 26. Cuba noted Kazakhstan’s efforts to address unemployment, especially among young people, protect the environment and persons with disabilities and increase education spending. Cuba made recommendations. 27. The Czech Republic commended the legislative reforms relating to Kazakhstan’s first UPR. However, it regretted that many of the recommendations it had accepted during the review had not yet been fully implemented. The Czech Republic made recommendations. 28. Djibouti noted with satisfaction the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy, which was a new policy adopted by the Government to ensure full enjoyment of human rights. Djibouti made recommendations. 5