A/HRC/13/11 minorities as areas of concern and encouraged Bhutan to tackle the root causes of the refugee flows towards neighbouring countries. Italy made recommendations. 63. Pakistan noted as encouraging the Government’s according top priority to the eradication of poverty. It appreciated that Bhutan is projected to outstrip global poverty reduction targets two years ahead of schedule and is also on track to achieve most Millennium Development Goals. It asked about Bhutan’s targeted measures towards poverty reduction, and sought information on the Kidu system. Pakistan made recommendations. 64. Chile noted the numerous measures and policies adopted by Bhutan in different areas with a view to promoting and protecting human rights. Chile recognized the efforts made by Bhutan in moving to a Constitutional Monarchy and hoped that the country would continue in this direction. Chile also made reference to ratification to the Optional Protocol to CRC. Chile made recommendations. 65. France noted the efforts made by the authorities in seeking to implement CRC and the Protocols. However, the Committee on the Rights of the Child has recently expressed concern as to the high proportion of forced labour of children, and France asked what measures Bhutan is taking in this regard. It expressed particular concern over the situation of refugees in Bhutan. France made recommendations. 66. Spain recognized the recent progress made by Bhutan in human rights, particularly with the abolition of the death penalty in 2004, and congratulated it for the ratification of the Optional Protocol to CRC on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. It made recommendations. 67. Azerbaijan welcomed measures to combat domestic violence and trafficking, national legislative reforms and the ban on corporal punishment in schools. It aligned itself with a number of treaty body recommendations and urged the international community to provide technical assistance to Bhutan to overcome challenges in promoting and protecting human rights. Azerbaijan made recommendations. 68. The United Kingdom noted that violations of women’s rights came from sexual abuse and trafficking, domestic violence, labour exploitation and limited access to work. Noting that only two political parties registered and stood for election, it asked about steps being taken to ensure a transparent and fully representative government. It noted the lack of public access to media and information and sought information on plans to guarantee media freedom and freedom of information, speech and expression. It made recommendations. 69. Japan welcomed Bhutan’s establishment of the Committee on Human Rights in the National Assembly. It noted the human rights awareness and training efforts of the Government. Japan cited challenges relating to the issue of Bhutanese refugees in eastern Nepal, including the determination of their nationality, and hoped these would be resolved through a bilateral process. Japan made recommendations. 70. Switzerland noted such developments as the abolition of the death penalty, efforts to combat corruption and legislative reform and stated that Bhutan is an exemplary case for its region. Switzerland expressed concern about the situation of the Lhotsampa minority of Bhutan. It drew attention to the refugee problem involving Bhutan and Nepal and that, despite several rounds of talks, the situation has not been resolved. Switzerland made recommendations. 71. Venezuela noted the human rights challenges facing Bhutan, particularly with regard to the right to health and education, due to its mountainous geography and dispersed rural population. Venezuela appreciated Bhutan’s major efforts in building up an education system according to the needs of its inhabitants. It also highlighted Bhutan’s attention to gender equality. Venezuela sought information on the initiatives taken by Bhutan to ensure 10