A/HRC/8/52 page 104 interactive dialogue and set the bar high with regard to cooperating with the universal periodic review mechanism. The Syrian Arab Republic urged other countries to multiply their efforts to attain the same level and noted that Bahrain has provided a model to be followed by other countries. 206. Saudi Arabia appreciated the effectiveness and speedy reaction by Bahrain to the recommendations of the Working Group. It was of the view that the efforts made to present the report and clarify achievements in the field of human rights are examples to be followed. It also noted the speed and effectiveness in achieving progress in implementing recommendations and welcomed the launching of a national action plan which is distinguished by its transparency. Saudi Arabia commended Bahrain on all actions taken for the promotion of human rights in all sectors. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 207. The Bahrain Women’s Association stated that Bahraini women who marry non-Bahraini citizens are denied the right to extend their citizenship to their children, who therefore have limited access to high education, health care, land ownership, political participation and employment. This inequality not only denies women their basic rights as citizens, it also denies children their right as human beings. It stated that although Bahrain mentioned in its report that “a draft law on citizenship is being debated”, this draft remains the same since it does not permit Bahraini mothers to transmit their nationality to their children. Lately, even this draft was withdrawn from the parliament. The numbers of children from Bahraini mothers who do not have a nationality are increasing. Another violation of women’s rights is the absence of family law. The lack of this law is considered to be one of the main obstacles and struggles for women in Bahrain. Bahrain Women’s Association was of the view that the Government could have done more to push towards the family law by cooperating with some of the religious figures who support this law and also coordinate with non-governmental organizations, especially women organizations. The Bahrain Women’s Association urged the Government of Bahrain to take serious and immediate action to amend the nationality law, approve the family law and remove all reservations on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 208. Front Line noted that the Government had not responded positively to a recommendation in 2005 by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to maintain dialogue with all civil society organizations, including those critical of its policies. Secondly, during the last four years, human rights groups and defenders were harassed, defamed, denied access to the media and legally prosecuted. Many of them were victims of the use of excessive force. Frontline recommended that Bahrain invite the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders to visit Bahrain as soon as possible. 4. Views expressed by the State under review on the outcome and concluding remarks 209. Following the views expressed on the outcome of the review by States members and observers of the Council, as well as general comments made by other relevant stakeholders, Bahrain stated that it has included all relevant remarks on human rights from non-governmental organizations and other States, and added that the process was fully transparent, with the full