A/HRC/11/18* education. She further noted the government efforts to ensure representation of religious and ethnic minorities at all levels of government service, parliament and public life. 62. The Minister noted that the judiciary had been extremely cautious in awarding death sentences. The death penalty had been given only as exemplary punishments in case of most heinous crimes. The Minister referred to the right to appeal against the death sentence and the President’s power to commute death sentences into other forms of punishment. 63. With regard to the accession to the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, the Minister noted that the Convention contains certain inherent weaknesses making it less relevant in today’s situations related to refugee movement, including lack of mechanisms for preventing mass outflow, burden sharing, speedy assistance for those most in need or maximum utilization of the available resources. 64. Czech Republic recommended that Bangladesh (a) adopt further measures to fight impunity for human rights violations, including by law enforcement officials; (b) accede to OP-CAT and (c) the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It asked whether and in which time frame pending visits from special procedures could take place, and recommended that Bangladesh (d) issue and implement a standing invitation to all special procedures. It further recommended that Bangladesh (e) review its domestic legislation and practice to bring them both in compliance with its international obligations in the area of the rights of the child, in particular regarding (i) protection against kidnapping and trafficking, and (ii) the juvenile justice system, including through providing adequate separate facilities of corresponding capacity for juveniles in detention or prison and adopting specific measures for the protection of their human rights. Asking whether women in mixed marriages can transfer their citizenship to their children, it recommended that Bangladesh: (f) amend the relevant legal provision; (g) provide human rights training to law enforcement and judicial officers, with a specific focus on the protection of the rights of women, children and persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, (h) adopt further measures to ensure protection of these persons against violence and abuse and (i) decriminalize same sex activity between consenting adults and adopt further measures to promote tolerance in this regard. 65. Palestine noticed that the government works to protect specific vulnerable groups. Palestine encouraged Bangladesh to proceed with adequate measures to eliminate gender disparities, attain equality through sustainable development, support actively the refugees and adopt a plan of action for eliminating child labor by promoting basic education. Palestine recommended that Bangladesh pursue its efforts in incorporating sustainable environmental development into its policies, considering the impact of natural disaster and degradation of natural resources on human rights despite all existing challenges. 66. Morocco welcomed Bangladesh’s objectives, including to achieve the MDG’s, in particular combating extreme poverty, through for example, the strategy to reduce poverty in isolated areas, the social protection programs and the fund for providing shelters for the homeless. Morocco requested more information on the NHRC. 67. Qatar indicated that Bangladesh is striving to realize human rights in a comprehensive manner. Policies adopted are related, inter alia, to good governance, human rights, economic and social development, combating poverty, promoting women’s rights and an active and responsible society. Qatar mentioned that poverty remains a major problem of Bangladesh, and invited the OHCHR to extend assistance to the government in order to face the challenges impeding the development of human rights. 68. Mexico noted that there are reportedly a culture of impunity in Bangladesh, arbitrary and extrajudicial executions, a practice of torture and degrading treatments. It recommended that Bangladesh (a) develop a national human rights programme to give a new impetus to its commitment and determination to tackle these national problems, and 12 GE.09-16252