A/HRC/17/9 63. Switzerland expressed concern about the detention of more than 2,000 political prisoners. It was also concerned at the overall situation of ethnic minorities, more specifically the Muslim population of Northern Rakhine State and at reports of excessive use of force and torture. It made recommendations. 64. Germany asked what steps Myanmar was taking to eradicate the practice of using child soldiers and about minority rights. It asked about the legal status of the Muslim minority and their protection from forced labour, about lifting restrictions to freedom of assembly, association, movement and expression, and ending censorship. It made recommendations. 65. Turkey appreciated progress made in addressing trafficking in persons and in investigating cases of child recruitment. It took note of the abolition of the death penalty in practice. It requested more information about the harmonization between domestic law and human rights law. It made recommendations. 66. The Republic of Korea recognized Myanmar’s efforts to implement the Seven-Step Roadmap to Democracy, including the November 2010 elections, but it was concerned that they fell short of the expectation that they would be free and fair. It expressed concern about prisoners of conscience, reports of human rights violations and restrictions on fundamental freedoms. It made recommendations. 67. Nicaragua noted Myanmar’s challenges of reconciliation, peace and development, and recognized its efforts to achieve national unity and implement the roadmap towards democratization. It highlighted the importance of the international community’s support. Nicaragua did not support unilaterally imposed measures since they threaten selfdetermination and impede the implementation of the roadmap. It made a recommendation. 68. Azerbaijan noted the establishment of a human rights body and applauded the abolition of the practice of the death penalty since 1988 and welcomed the establishment of women’s rights organizations. It made recommendations. 69. Maldives noted Myanmar’s willingness to work with the international community on human rights issues. It welcomed Myanmar’s commitment to making the transition to democracy and concluded that such democratic reforms must proceed in an open and inclusive manner. It made recommendations. 70. Sudan commended Myanmar’s efforts to protect children’s rights, particularly the establishment of juvenile justice courts and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes for child soldiers. It also applauded Myanmar’s efforts to reach national reconciliation. Sudan called for the lifting of unilateral sanctions imposed on Myanmar. It made recommendations. 71. The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste noted with appreciation Myanmar’s efforts to protect the rights of the child. It appreciated the peaceful conduct of the 2010 general elections and the fact that a number of armed groups had exchanged their arms for peace. It inquired about plans for disarming the remaining armed groups and for engaging in a dialogue with other political groups. It made recommendations. 72. The United States of America welcomed the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and condemned systematic human rights violations. It expressed concern over the detention of 2,100 prisoners and disappointment over the 2010 elections, which had been neither free nor fair. It noted that Government critics were at risk of harassment, arbitrary arrest, torture and ill-treatment, even extrajudicial killings. It expressed concern over the situation of ethnic minorities. It made recommendations. 9