A/HRC/12/50 544. With regard to recommendation 17, the delegation added that the President of the Republic had declared a decision prohibiting the imprisonment of any journalist for matters relating to freedom of opinion and speech. With regard to recommendation 19, Yemen stressed that the Constitution granted the right to set up organizations to defend human rights in accordance with international standards to all citizens. 545. The delegation stated that five recommendations remain under review. Regarding recommendation 1, Yemen did not intend to become a party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women for the time being. Recommendation 3 could not be supported until a decision was taken by the authorities in that regard. Recommendation 4 was presently not accepted and would be examined in the future. Regarding recommendation 5, Yemen did not intend to accept individual complaint procedures under the treaties to which it is a party for the present. There were a number of national institutions and mechanisms that received individual and group complaints and dealt with them in a serious manner, in conformity with constitutional provisions and applicable laws. On recommendation 8, Yemen did not intend, for the time being, to extend a standing invitation to all special procedures. This request would be considered by Parliament in the future. 546. 2. The delegation indicated that it had accepted a total of 125 recommendations. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome 547. Lebanon noted with deep appreciation the efforts made by Yemen within the framework of the universal periodic review. It welcomed measures taken by Yemen to strengthen and consolidate human rights despite the limited resources and challenges it faced. Lebanon encouraged Yemen to continue its efforts to enhance the rights of women and children and all other human rights. 548. Viet Nam appreciated the openness and cooperation of Yemen during the universal periodic review and underlined the fact that Yemen had accepted 125 of 142 recommendations. It noted with satisfaction the measures taken to implement the recommendations accepted, including the two recommendations presented by Viet Nam. This demonstrated Yemen’s political will and commitment to respect and protect human rights, despite its limited resources and many economic and social challenges. 549. China appreciated the openness of Yemen towards States’ recommendations. It underlined the drop in the poverty rate over the past decade and the substantial progress made in promoting people’s rights to education, health and food. China noted the establishment of several human rights institutions, the improvement of domestic law and the work done for the promotion and protection of human rights. Yemen had actively cooperated with the international community and United Nations human rights institutions. China acknowledged that Yemen still faces challenges, but expressed confidence that it would make further progress with regard to both the economy and human rights. 550. Algeria noted the acceptance of most recommendations, including Algeria’s recommendation to create an independent human rights commission. It noted with satisfaction Yemen’s will to continue subscribing to its human rights obligations and cooperating with international mechanisms, while taking into account its religious, social and cultural specificities. It encouraged Yemen to continue to promote women’s issues in development plans, to improve health-care services for women, particularly in rural areas, and to improve women’s access to education. It welcomed efforts to combat poverty and unemployment. Referring to the recent painful events in Yemen, Algeria reaffirmed its support for the country’s security, stability and unity. 145