A/HRC/11/18* 44. Egypt noted that the government and civil society have been implementing programmes for poverty alleviation, employment and income generation for the poor and the disadvantaged. Egypt enquired, inter alia, about efforts of Bangladesh to address multidimensional challenges in fulfilling its human rights commitments, about its specific needs in terms of technical assistance and capacity building and training, and how the international community and OHCHR could help in implementing its human rights strategy. Egypt recommended that Bangladesh (a) continue its efforts to strengthen its national human rights mechanisms and continuously upgrade its laws, policies and institutions in the area of the promotion and protection of human rights; (b) continue its efforts to develop the work of its national institution for human rights, as an effective human rights watchdog; (c)build, with international support, the national capacities to fulfil the reporting obligations to treaty bodies and (d) continue its efforts to ensure consistency between national laws and international human rights conventions which its has ratified. 45. Zimbabwe applauded Bangladesh for placing emphasis on actualization of all human rights through democratic governance, institutional strengthening and pro-poor policies. Welcoming achievements in poverty reduction, it recommended that Bangladesh continue to implement identified measures, plans and policies focusing mainly on poverty eradication. 46. Myanmar noted with admiration that Bangladesh has adopted a peaceful and successful democratic transition in 2008 and commended its continued efforts for human rights. Myanmar said that the international community should extend its sincere support for the advancement of fundamental rights to all citizens of Bangladesh. 47. Thailand welcomed the special emphasis placed on poverty alleviation; concrete steps taken to attain the MDGs; measures taken to address feminization of poverty and initiatives empowering women such as the Vulnerable Group Development Programme. Thailand urged Bangladesh to ensure the full and effective implementation of existing laws and policies relating to the rights of women and children, in order to protect these rights and eliminate all forms of discrimination. 48. Sri Lanka was heartened by the recent progress made in further strengthening democracy, good governance and the rule of law and welcomed the recent institutional reform initiatives. It welcomed the holistic and multi-pronged approaches being implemented to alleviate poverty and promote human rights. It welcomed the encouraging advances in achieving human development and MDG’s. Sri Lanka was pleased to see that women are increasingly assuming leadership roles and asked for more information and best practices on efforts to combat trafficking in women and children. 49. Turkey welcomed the announced plan to introduce a “bribery-free court management”. It encouraged Bangladesh to pursue the reform agenda to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, combat impunity and address basic needs in over-crowded prisons. Treaty bodies and ILO expressed concern at the prevalence of child labour and incidences of sexual exploitation of children. Turkey recommended that Bangladesh (a) ensure an effective monitoring mechanism to oversee the implementation of the National Child Labour Policy, which it welcomed; and (b) continue to take measures towards the effective implementation of the National Plan of Action against Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children including Trafficking. Turkey welcomed the significant progress to reduce poverty, highlighting the focus placed on disadvantaged groups and the establishment of social safety nets. 50. Bhutan welcomed the separation of the judiciary from the executive, which will strengthen good governance, rule of law and the judicial system. Bhutan recommended that Bangladesh (a) continue its good work in further strengthening the judiciary; (b) continue, with international support and cooperation, efforts to ensure basic necessities, particularly GE.09-16252 9