A/HRC/8/52 page 163 children, including for the improvement of the judicial system and on violence against women and children, and continued measures to address the basic needs of the poor and other vulnerable groups. Algeria welcomed that the Philippines was working towards harmonizing its national legislation with international human rights obligations and its acceptance to abolish the death penalty. 472. Canada was pleased that the Philippines had constructively engaged in the universal periodic review, and commended it in particular on efforts made with regard to extrajudicial killings and human rights trainings for security forces. Canada thanked the Philippines for its response to the outcome report and encouraged it to implement the recommendations of the Working Group. It specifically urged the Philippines to step up efforts to investigate and prosecute extrajudicial killings and to punish those responsible for them and to address the culture of impunity. Further, the Philippines was encouraged to strengthen its witness protection programme and to increase training for its security forces on human rights and on their responsibility to protect human rights and human rights defenders. Canada would welcome an update to the Council before the following review on measures taken to follow up on the recommendations. 473. Qatar appreciated the steps taken to promote and protect human rights for the benefit of the people, as well as the Philippines’ commitments and endeavours to further enhance the protection of human rights, noting that this was not surprising for a country that had made a vital contribution to the institution-building process of the Council and the preparation of the universal periodic review mechanism. In spite of challenges, the Philippines responded positively to the recommendations of the Working Group, including to further promote and protect human rights and the rights of women and children and to develop gender-sensitive action plans, including in the judiciary and on the issue of violence against women and children, as well as measures to protect the media and find ways to meet the vital needs of the poor. Qatar noted that there was a collective responsibility to offer support to the efforts of the Philippines, through dialogue, cooperation and capacity-building. 474. Indonesia joined the other delegations in congratulating the Philippines on its remarkably frank and comprehensive report, which made impressive reading and documented a remarkable track record of achievements in the promotion and protection of human rights over the past 21 years. The strong commitment of the Philippines to the universal periodic review mirrored the consistency of the Government to always keeping in sight the goal of responsible governance. The early establishment of an independent commission on human rights had been the first in a series of moves to integrate the promotion and protection of human rights at all levels of the Government. It was an example of best practices, notably in the areas of development, education, the protection of migrant workers and trafficking of persons. As regards the recommendations of the Working Group, the Philippines has willingly undertaken to address some of the gaps in the protection of the human rights of women and children, particularly in terms of their status before the law and in situations of detention, or as the target of violence. The Government is also committed to continuing its action to combat and punish the killing of activists and media professionals. Indonesia has no doubt that the Philippines’ commitment to its pledges would see it succeed in those endeavours.