A/HRC/14/37 commitment, despite its difficulties and challenges. The universal periodic review provided an opportunity to all to be acquainted with the efforts to develop human rights legislation and institutions. 566. Bahrain commended the positive measures taken by Iraq to implement all recommendations and its efforts to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to spread a culture of human rights, despite the challenges, difficulties and security problems it faced. Bahrain valued Iraq’s commitment to take the necessary measures to empower women, enhance their role and participation in public life and allow them to occupy leading positions. The numerous measures taken by Iraq to promote and protect human rights reflected the political will of the Government to implement its human rights commitments. 567. The United States of America commended Iraq’s efforts to strengthen national human rights institutions, to promote a human rights culture and to incorporate its international human rights obligations within national legislation. It encouraged Iraq to establish and implement national human rights strategies and to complete the establishment of the higher human rights commission. It appreciated Iraq’s commitment to end intimidation and abuse of journalists, ensure accountability and respect and protect the freedom of expression. It was concerned about continued violence against women and minorities and welcomed Iraq’s commitment to protect them. The efforts made to empower judicial and other authorities to monitor prison conditions and investigate allegations of torture and abuse were welcomed. 568. Belgium was shocked to learn about the assassination of two members of the delegation of Iraq who had participated in the review, and the attempted murder of a third, and encouraged Iraq to investigate these events. Belgium was satisfied with the acceptance of 135 of 176 recommendations made at the Working Group session, including 2 recommendations made by Belgium on the prosecution of abuses against minorities and the respect for minimum standards in the imposition of the death penalty. It regretted that its recommendation to introduce a moratorium to the death penalty had not been accepted, but congratulated Iraq for making voluntary commitments, and particularly for agreeing to reexamine reservations to human rights treaties and to cooperate with special procedures. It invited Iraq to implement recommendations and to submit an interim report thereon. 569. Kuwait noted Iraq’s continued efforts to protect human rights despite the recent challenges. Iraq had suffered from a period marked by violations by the former dictatorial regime, which had also affected Kuwait. These included violence, imprisonment, torture and summary executions. Iraq had made efforts to promote and protect human rights by disseminating a culture of human rights and combating the scourge of terrorism. Kuwait was confident of Iraq’s capacity to establish democracy, good governance and equality, and welcomed its acceptance of many recommendations. 570. Morocco commended Iraq’s efforts to protect human rights and cooperate in the universal periodic review. This reflected Iraq’s commitment to ensure social cohesion, political stability and economic development and would allow the people of Iraq, within the framework of the country’s territorial integrity and political stability, to enjoy fundamental rights and overcome any challenges to the democratic process. Iraq had accepted most of the recommendations, including those made by Morocco in the areas of health, education and the return of refugees. Morocco encouraged Iraq to implement the accepted recommendations and, to that end, to seek the necessary assistance from the international community. 571. The United Arab Emirates stated that the acceptance of a great number of recommendations demonstrated Iraq’s commitment to dialogue with international human rights institutions. It mentioned Iraq’s important reforms, such as its willingness to apply GE.12-17781 133