A/HRC/22/9 health care and increase budget allocations to health services, especially for the poor and destitute. It recognized that promotion of the right to education was essential for development and social change. The Philippines made recommendations. 72. Romania was heartened by Benin’s willingness to improve its human rights situation. It particularly welcomed the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and the legislative and institutional reforms undertaken to modernize the framework needed to allow citizens to fully enjoy their human rights. Romania made recommendations. 73. Rwanda congratulated Benin on adhering to its international commitments relating to the promotion and protection of human rights. In particular, it welcomed the abolition of the death penalty. It also welcomed the adoption of a national policy and plan of action on promoting gender equality. Rwanda made recommendations. 74. Senegal highlighted measures adopted by Benin to improve its human rights situation, including the abolition of the death penalty; creation of the Ombudsman’s office; reforms to ensure that its national human rights commission is in accordance with the Paris Principles, as well as strategies to reduce poverty; achieve the Millennium Development Goals and promote women and children’s rights. Senegal made recommendations. 75. Singapore highlighted Benin’s continued efforts to implement legislation to enhance its domestic legal framework, despite challenges. It noted the efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals, particularly by ensuring universal primary education by 2015. It also noted the efforts to promote access to health care, which would in turn reduce mortality and improve the health and well-being of the people. Singapore made recommendations. 76. Slovakia recognized Benin’s commitment to improving its human rights record, in particular the steps taken towards abolishing the death penalty with its recent accession to the Second Optional Protocol to ICCPR. It also noted its ratification of the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Slovakia made recommendations. 77. Slovenia welcomed the positive developments since Benin’s first universal periodic review (UPR), notably its ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR and the CRPD and its optional protocol. It expressed concern about discrimination and violence against women and welcomed the enactment of new legislation in that area. It was also concerned about reports on violations of children’s rights. Slovenia made recommendations. 78. South Africa applauded Benin’s commitment to combating poverty and its longterm initiatives to address the problem. It urged the international community to cooperate with Benin in tackling the challenges of fulfilling its obligations under international human rights law and advancing the promotion and protection of all human rights. It acknowledged Benin’s leadership role in the African Union. It made recommendations. 79. Spain congratulated Benin on its recent ratification of the Second Protocol to the ICCPR, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. Spain made recommendations. 80. Sri Lanka recognized the measures adopted by Benin on poverty reduction; good governance; promotion and protection of human rights, particularly the launch of its Growth Strategy for Poverty Reduction, as well as its cross-sector efforts to promote and protect children’s rights, increased budget allocations for maternal and child health and education, women’s rights and gender equality. Sri Lanka made a recommendation. 81. The Sudan paid tribute to Benin’s efforts to improve its human rights situation, despite financial constraints. It highlighted the establishment of the Office of the GE.12-18655 11