A/HRC/17/9 Kyi’s release. India noted Myanmar’s cooperation with human rights instruments and the steps taken on human trafficking, children’s rights and forced labour. India offered its cooperation. It made a recommendation. 40. France expressed concern about freedom of expression, information, the situation of human rights defenders and ethnic minorities. It noted that ILO condemned Myanmar’s use of forced labour. It indicated that according to the Special Rapporteur some cases of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detention and torture could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. It asked Myanmar about bringing those responsible to justice. It made recommendations. 41. Bangladesh stated that international cooperation was important for Myanmar. It commended Myanmar for the Plan of Action to combat Human Trafficking. Bangladesh referred to the concerns of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women about restrictions and discrimination against Muslim women and the Muslim minority in Northern Rakhine State. It noted the concerns of the Committee on the Rights of the Child about the situation of children belonging to minorities. It made recommendations. 42. The delegation of Myanmar stated that the Electoral Law and by-laws permit full participation of all citizens, regardless of their race, religion, region, gender and the right to form political parties as well as to be an independent candidate for election. 43. All registered political parties were allowed to express their policies through various media. All parties were allowed peaceful assembly and association for electoral campaigning. The full results of the election, including information on the eligible votes, advance votes, and the percentage of voter turnout for each candidate were declared in the newspapers. 44. Out of 42 registered parties, 37 parties contested in the election. Altogether 1,148 candidates from 22 different parties, and 6 independent candidates won the seats. Sixteen parties of different national races are among them. 45. Any person has the right to object to the elected candidates. Tribunals for election offences and malpractices have been formed and are functioning. 46. Regarding the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the delegation stated that in addition to legal provisions Myanmar’s tradition and culture provide protection from abuse for women and girls. The drafting of the National Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women 20112015 is in progress in collaboration with the ministries concerned, the United Nations Population Fund and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). 47. Women enjoy full and equal participation in public life and occupy high-ranking positions: 63.99 per cent in the health sector, 76.46 per cent in the education sector and 50.99 per cent in the administrative sector. 48. The Government is implementing maternal, newborn, adolescent and child healthcare activities through the Reproductive Health Care Programme and Woman and Child Health Development Programme. It is improving human resources for health in quantity and quality and strengthening infrastructure to encourage institutional delivery in rural areas. 49. The Government has opened schools for the handicapped and mentally retarded children. Currently, the National Plan of Action for Persons with Disability (2010-2012) has been developed and will have a nationwide focus on persons with disability. 50. The delegation stated that no death sentence has been carried out since 1988. 7