A/HRC/16/3 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It asked how Liberia had followed up on these. It made recommendations. 38. Hungary noted the difficult social and economic situation in Liberia and expressed appreciation for its cooperation with international human rights mechanisms, in particular its positive attitude towards visits by special procedures mandate holders. It also appreciated legal reforms, as well as the establishment of national bodies. However, Hungary expressed concern about the reintroduction of the death penalty, in violation of obligations under the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as increases in gender-based sexual violence, maternal mortality, violence against children and human trafficking. It made recommendations. 39. Cuba noted advances made in the sphere of human rights, such as the 2006 Emergency Employment Programme, the Employment Action Programme and the Free and Compulsory Primary Education Programme. It also noted measures and programmes to promote and protect the human rights of vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the disabled and elderly persons. Cuba made recommendations. 40. China expressed appreciation for efforts made to improve and promote the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. It also welcomed efforts to continue to implement poverty reduction strategies, the adoption of anti-corruption measures and the expansion of the scope of health care. It noted the numerous challenges faced by the country after many years of turmoil. China called on the international community to continue to provide Liberia with the necessary assistance. China made a recommendation. 41. Slovakia expressed concern about the very low percentage of reported rape cases that had been fully prosecuted. It remained concerned about conditions in Liberia’s prison and detention centres, the high level of reported misconduct by law enforcement officials and the fact that, in most cases, the alleged perpetrators were not held duly accountable. Slovakia made recommendations. 42. Brazil welcomed efforts by Liberia to rehabilitate the country’s basic infrastructure. It encouraged Liberia to continue to prioritize the rehabilitation of its educational structure and highlighted the importance of policies to ensure school feeding. Brazil noted with concern the high incidence of gender-related crimes and underlined the importance of increased access to justice. Brazil also expressed appreciation for the adoption of policies aimed at the empowerment of women. It expressed concern at the enactment of legislation envisaging the death penalty. Brazil made recommendations. 43. Sweden asked Liberia to elaborate on the status of the death penalty in view of the 2008 Bill and the country’s obligations under the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It noted the high incidence of genderbased and sexual violence, and asked about the measures taken to promptly address inequalities between men and women, in particular practices such as early marriage and female genital mutilation. It also asked about the status of the special court established to hear cases involving sexual and gender-based violence. Sweden made recommendations. 44. Norway commended efforts to promote recovery after years of conflict. However, it expressed concern at the disparity in living standards between urban and rural areas, gender-based violence and alarming rates of maternal mortality. Norway encouraged Liberia to increase its emphasis on securing the rights of women and girls and to enhance its efforts to strengthen the justice system. It also noted that the Independent National Human Rights Commission had been established and was ready to undertake its important tasks. Norway made recommendations. 45. Australia regretted the 2008 law allowing the death penalty in certain cases. It was concerned by the continued high rates of rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based 8