A/HRC/13/11 80. Morocco welcomed the efforts taken by Bhutan in seeking to consolidate the achievements made and to ensure the democratic values and culture as well as recognized human rights principles become rooted in the country. Morocco, while noting the important role played by the NCWC, referred to the concerns of CEDAW about its effectiveness and coordination capacity. Morocco noted that Bhutan’s national report identified the challenge of youth unemployment and sought information on the measures taken to address this issue and create job opportunities for rural women. Morocco made recommendations. 81. Saudi Arabia highlighted that the Government seeks to bring legislation in line with international civil and political rights standards. It noted among achievements the success in education. Saudi Arabia noted that legislation on civil society was adopted in 2007 and that the Government remains fully committed to further develop dialogue with nongovernmental organizations working in particular on human rights and humanitarian issues. Noting some concerns expressed, Saudi Arabia encouraged Bhutan to accelerate implementation of the law on civil society by the relevant bodies as quickly as possible. 82. Kuwait said the national report reflected Bhutan’s recognition of the need to strengthen all human rights. Kuwait noted constraints faced by Bhutan, particularly the eradication of poverty, unemployment and climate change, and that Bhutan’s difficult geography affected the delivery services. It commended Bhutan’s progress in strengthening freedom of the press and media, and made recommendations on this and other issues. 83. In response, the delegation stated that NCWC was established in 2004 with the specific objective of securing the rights of women and children. Bhutan is up to date with its reporting obligations to CRC and CEDAW, and to other international and regional instruments. 84. In order to reinforce the harmonization of CRC, CEDAW and other relevant instruments, the Child Care and Protection Bill and the Adoption Bill have been submitted to the Parliament for enactment. A domestic violence bill is in the final stages and women and children protection units are being established in the Royal Bhutan police. 85. Concerning sexual harassment, the Labour and Employment Act has clear provisions on Sexual Harassment and penal provisions are enshrined in the Penal Code of Bhutan 2004. 86. With respect to human trafficking, Bhutan is minimally affected unlike the many misplaced reports. Nevertheless, Bhutan is undertaking efforts to address this and has stepped up its ongoing cross border collaboration on developing closer networking and information sharing with neighbouring countries. 87. Regarding commercial exploitation of children, Bhutan fully subscribes to the objectives and purposes of CRC and has very strong legal provisions in place to prevent the worst forms of child labour and to regulate the minimum age for admission into employment. 88. On sexual orientation, the provisions concerning unnatural acts in the Penal Code, have since its enactment, never been invoked for acts between two consenting adults of the same sex. 89. With regard to independence of the Judiciary, the Constitution provides for separation of powers among the three branches of the government. Bhutan’s legal procedures have clear provisions dealing with the rule of law, independence of the judiciary and due process of law. 90. Concerning access to education, the Constitution requires the State to provide free education to all children irrespective of language, ethnicity or family background. 12