A/HRC/15/60 towards the Palestinian people, and reiterated its empathy to and support for Turkey. It acknowledged Turkey’s acceptance of the four recommendations made by Algeria. 540. Armenia, while appreciating Turkey’s acceptance of several of its recommendations, drew attention to issues of minority rights and further steps needed to address them. Armenia referred to, inter alia, limitations on the exercise of religious practices for respective minority groups; recent attacks by the general public against Roma, Kurds and non-Muslim minorities; xenophobic and racist remarks, particularly towards Armenians, by representatives in high authority; and the use of article 301 of the penal code to stigmatize dissenting voices. Armenia also regretted the rejection of its recommendation on creating conditions for the realization of the right to truth, without which it would be immensely difficult to heal historic wounds. 541. Azerbaijan commended Turkey’s open and transparent approach during its review, testimony to its commitment to cooperate with the international human rights machinery. It had made two recommendations on women’s rights and intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, which had been accepted. It welcomed the comprehensive human rights reform undertaken, including the constitutional amendments, and noted with concern that terrorism continued to cause problems and reiterated its support in the struggle against it. 542. Qatar noted Turkey’s acceptance of many recommendations, its serious approach, positive attitude and its cooperation with various human rights mechanisms. Qatar welcomed Turkey’s human rights achievements. Reference was made to the development of a legal framework for human rights protection, the fight against discrimination in all its forms and the promotion of the role of women. Qatar commended Turkey for its key international role in peace in the region. 543. Egypt acknowledged Turkey’s detailed replies to each recommendation, which was indicative of the serious approach adopted by Turkey towards the universal periodic review process. It appreciated the recent developments in relation to the provision for positive discrimination for certain vulnerable groups. It commended efforts aimed at protecting the rights of women and children, and combating trafficking in persons and violence against women. Egypt welcomed Turkey’s determination and willingness to continue its efforts to protect human rights while it exercised its sovereign right to enact and implement laws and policies in line with its international obligations. 544. Cyprus expressed its regret that the human rights recommendations it had made during the review of Turkey were openly rejected on purely subjective, political grounds and about the apparent failure in the collective responsibility to uphold the credibility and integrity of the peer review mechanism. It stressed that international obligations, especially those concerning human rights, could in no case be waived simply on the grounds of political positions. Cyprus referred to the letter it had addressed to the President of the Council (A/HRC/15/G/2) regarding the statements made by Turkey during Cyprus’ review, and added that the Council should not allow the universal periodic review mechanism to be used for the dissemination of political allegations. 545. Bahrain acknowledged that Turkey had adopted a set of measures reflecting the extent to which the country was committed to promote human rights and work with the United Nations system. It welcomed Turkey’s acceptance of an important number of recommendations, including that put forward by Bahrain. It also noted Turkey’s reform of its legal framework, particularly in the field of human rights, in order to be in line with international standards. 546. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) highlighted Turkey’s constitutional reform and other efforts to adjust its legal framework to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights, particularly in favour of vulnerable groups. It welcomed the establishment of the institution of the ombudsman. It recognized the progress achieved in education, which 164 GE.11-17043