A/HRC/21/5 92. Malaysia noted positive steps taken to regulate its judiciary system as well as serious measures to address economic, social and cultural rights. It noted Tunisia’s continuing challenges in relation to freedom of expression and peaceful demonstrations. Malaysia made recommendations. 93. Maldives noted with satisfaction progress achieved in areas such as freedom of assembly and association, women’s rights, and the ratification of several instruments. Maldives made recommendations. 94. Mauritania commended Tunisia for the ratification of several human rights instruments. 95. Mexico noted the adoption of legislation on torture which defined and made punishable this crime as well as the measures to prevent discrimination against women. It made recommendations. 96. Monaco encouraged Tunisia to cooperate with OHCHR and all its mechanisms. It made recommendations. 97. Morocco asked about the practical steps undertaken in terms of transitional justice. It made recommendations. 98. Netherlands commended all the efforts made to respect gender equality. It also noted with appreciation the commitment of Tunisia to freedom of expression. Nevertheless, it noted reports that, in recent trials, legislation restricting freedom of expression had been applied. Netherlands made recommendations 99. Norway welcomed Tunisia’s moratorium on the death penalty and its signing of the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. However, it noted that death sentences continued to be pronounced. Norway made recommendations. 100. Oman highlighted that Tunisia was always considered as a progressive country in terms of the rights of women and children. It made recommendations. 101. Pakistan noted with appreciation the resolve of the Government of Tunisia to establish an independent judiciary system as well as to combat poverty, social disparity, marginalization and exclusion. Pakistan made a recommendation. 102. Palestine highlighted the importance of taking all necessary measures to go ahead with the achievement of transitional justice. It made recommendations. 103. Peru noted the important progress made in terms of human rights such as measures adopted for the effective political participation by the people, ratification of several international instruments, open invitation to special procedures, and measures taken to consolidate the process of transitional justice. It made recommendations. 104. Philippines appreciated Tunisia’s commitment to and solidarity with migrant workers in distress allowing them to entry into its territory, and noted with appreciation the actions taken to quash the judicial convictions of human rights defenders. 105. Senegal welcomed progress made at the normative and institutional levels and in terms of political and civil rights, for example, on the number of political parties. It made recommendations. 106. Tunisia thanked Member States’ delegations for their constructive statements and comments. On questions raised by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain regarding social, cultural and economic rights, Tunisia responded that it had reviewed its legislation and allocated responsibilities for special efforts made on behalf of vulnerable groups and on the provision of necessary basic services. Funds would be allocated to the regional authorities, 13