A/HRC/13/11 domestic policies and legislation. It encouraged Bhutan to continue with its efforts to guarantee the human rights and freedoms as enshrined in its Constitution. 53. Denmark acknowledged Bhutanese progress in promoting human rights. It sought more information concerning freedom of religion or belief for all individuals of different faiths, adherence to a number of international basic human rights instruments and to finding a prompt solution to the question of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. Denmark made recommendations. 54. Kyrgyzstan noted that Bhutan sought to bring about the enjoyment of human rights through many diverse national projects and programmes. Kyrgyzstan also noted that the Bhutan has taken an important step in seeking to promote human rights by cooperating with non-governmental and international organizations. Kyrgyzstan welcomed Bhutan’s efforts particularly in seeking to combat the use of child labour and to provide education to people in the country about human rights. Kyrgyzstan made a recommendation. 55. In response, the delegation indicated that the Millennium Development Goals and poverty reduction were fully integrated into Bhutan’s national development plans. Poverty reduction has been articulated as the main objective of the tenth Plan. 56. Regarding the right to food, Bhutan has developed a national Food Security Strategy Paper, the objective of which is to sustainably increase food security. 57. Concerning gender, Bhutan is committed to mainstreaming gender as reflected in the tenth Five-Year Plan. Gender focal persons have been identified in all government agencies and a gender information base is being developed. 58. With respect to Bhutan’s political transition, the historic elections and transition to democracy were the culmination of the process initiated by the fourth King in the early 1970s. In the first elections, 79.4 per cent of the Bhutanese electorate exercised their adult franchise with 52 per cent women voters. The present government is committed to ensuring at least 30 percent women candidates in the next elections. 59. On international instruments, Bhutan is serious about its international treaty obligations and is building the necessary legal, political and social institutions, and developing its human resources. A multi-sectoral task force will study international human rights instruments and make recommendations to the government for ratification. Despite not ratifying the core human rights instruments, Bhutan remains committed to their principles, which are enshrined in the Constitution and other laws. 60. Mexico recognized the recent efforts made by Bhutan in promoting and respecting human rights. It noted the important progress made in health and poverty reduction and the Government’s recognition of challenges in youth unemployment, domestic violence, gender equality, better access to free education and drinking water and ratification of a number of international human rights instruments. Mexico sought information on the technical assistance Bhutan needed to guarantee access to education and eliminate sexual exploitation and abuse. Mexico made recommendations. 61. Slovenia cited the stakeholder summary regarding the situation of Lhotshampas in Bhutan, which stated that those classified as F7 (non-nationals, migrants and illegal settlers) have consistently been denied access to services, including education and health, the right to work and to own property, marry and travel freely. It asked about plans to improve their situation. Slovenia made recommendations. 62. Italy commended Bhutan for the abolition of capital punishment in 2004. Italy acknowledged the progress achieved for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and believed that some more steps could be taken to sustain the momentum for change. Italy noted that the situation of refugees in Nepal and of religious and ethnic 9