A/HRC/11/18* mortality rates. It recommended that Bangladesh (a) continue its strategic plan adopted in 2005 for eliminating social and economic disparities in order to reduce poverty, in particular in isolated regions, and (b) continue while working with concerned parties, its comprehensive national strategy to improve the health situation, in particular to promote women’s health during pregnancy and post natal care. 33. Venezuela noted that more than 60 million people live below the poverty line in Bangladesh and acknowledged the efforts made to reduce poverty. It encouraged Bangladesh to spare no efforts to consolidate programmes of social protection and assistance, in particular programmes for the transfer of food, development programmes on behalf of vulnerable groups, particularly women in poverty, and micro-credit programmes which have produced positive results for this segment of the population. Venezuela requested more information on the Strategy for Poverty Reduction in the Lagging Regions of Bangladesh, which should take into consideration the impact of the international food and financial crises. 34. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic recognized that Bangladesh had made significant progress in the field of human rights, including in national security, development and education. It recommended that Bangladesh (a) strengthen and continue sharing its experience and the promotion of the role of gender in the national leadership, (b) and enhance the promotion and protection of fundamental human rights in accordance with its level of socio-economic development through harmonization with international human rights instruments. 35. Nicaragua congratulated Bangladesh for its firm resolve to remain faithful to its obligations under human rights instruments and its compliance with the voluntary commitments made to the Human Rights Council. Institutional reforms had been undertaken, enabling the public administration to be more effective in promoting human rights. It enquired whether the NHRC was established according to the Paris Principles, and recommended, if this is not the case, that Bangladesh bear in mind these Principles in establishing the Commission to guarantee its full independence in the exercise of its functions. 36. Singapore indicated that the new Government is committed to continuing the promotion of human rights. Singapore recognized the recent enactment and/or amendment of relevant domestic legislation. Bangladesh had been right to focus on poverty alleviation and eradication, on women's empowerment and the rights of children. Singapore recommended that the Government continued to place emphasis on these areas. It commended the valuable role played by many NGOs and innovative social enterprises in contributing to improving the lives of millions of people. 37. France welcomed the lifting of the state of emergency and the constructive reforms undertaken. It asked (a) when Bangladesh intended acceding to and implementing the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (b) what measures were envisaged to effectively implement legal instruments on womens’ rights, in particular laws relating to prevention of violence, under-age marriages and the practice of dowries; and (c) what measures were being taken to abolish child labour and to implement the related national plan of action. France (a) invited Bangladesh to ratify OP-CAT; (b) strongly encouraged it to abolish the death penalty, and while awaiting such decision, to adopt a moratorium on executions, and (c) recommended the withdrawal of all reservations to the CEDAW. 38. Brazil recognized the important initiatives to protect children and women and affirmative actions to guarantee access of ethnic minorities to higher education and to government recruitment. Poverty alleviation has been a priority of Bangladesh. Brazil requested information about the adoption of a comprehensive approach to address violence against women and about measures to guarantee the security of minorities and ethnic GE.09-16252 7