A/HRC/18/3 80. Slovakia highlighted the exemplary cooperation of Belgium with regional and international human rights mechanisms and commended Belgium for dedicating a great deal of resources to protecting the rights of migrants. It also commended Belgium’s efforts in improving the living conditions in its penitentiary facilities. Slovakia made recommendations. 81. Turkey attached importance to the finding of the National Institute of Criminal Statistics and Criminology that foreigners in the penal system received more severe sentences than people of Belgian origin. It welcomed the ongoing public debate regarding the establishment of an independent national human rights institution. It also shared its concerns over discrimination in accessing the labour market. Turkey made a recommendation. 82. South Africa inquired about steps taken to address concerns expressed by CERD over the lack of specific provisions declaring illegal and prohibiting organizations promoting racial discrimination. It also noted that the Human Rights Committee had expressed concerns about the resurgence of anti-Semitic and racist acts. South Africa thanked Belgium for the positive role it played during the World Conference Against Racism and made recommendations. 83. Burkina Faso welcomed Belgium’s commitment for the promotion and protection of human rights and its standing cooperation with special procedures. Burkina Faso remained open to share experience and best practices with Belgium. Burkina Faso encouraged Belgium to consolidate its human rights promotion policy and made recommendations. 84. Malaysia commended Belgium for being a party to a significant number of human rights instruments. It noted that several treaty bodies had made observations on issues related to racism and racial discrimination and inquired whether Belgium intended to follow up on those recommendations to curb the spread of racial hatred and related phenomenon and to strengthen measures to prevent and combat xenophobia and racial prejudice. Malaysia made recommendations. 85. Bangladesh recalled that Belgium hosted the Third United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC III) in 2001. It noted that that the commitment made during the 2001 Brussels Programme of Action for LDCs and the committed net Official Development Assistance up to 0.7 per cent of GDP had not been fully realized. Bangladesh also noted concerns by treaty bodies regarding discrimination based on race, religion and incidents of hate speech. Bangladesh made recommendations. 86. Djibouti noted the contribution of Belgium to the consolidation of the Human Rights Council. Djibouti made recommendations. 87. China commended Belgium on its progress in eradicating poverty and ensuring the right to housing and education. It also noted the efforts made in promoting gender equality, ensuring the rights of migrants, and eradicating racial discrimination. China asked Belgium to elaborate on the specific measures for the right to housing and education to be enjoyed equally by the Roma and other minority groups. 88. Kyrgyzstan welcomed the amendments to the Constitution, which guaranteed the best interests of the child and gender equality, abolished the death penalty and guaranteed protection for foreigners commensurate with that afforded to Belgian nationals. Kyrgyzstan made recommendations. 89. Guatemala highlighted the emphasis given to the best interests of the child and the guarantees of the right to education and medical assistance. It requested information on measures adopted for the integration of foreigners so as to attain an intercultural and cohesive society. It urged Belgium to refrain from making distinctions between regular and GE.11-14583 11