A/HRC/17/10 25. Nepal praised Australia for its efforts to advance human rights for all its citizens. It thanked Australia for its continued support to Nepal’s peace process and commended it for its initiative to resettle Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal. It recognised Australia commitment to the welfare of Aboriginals and encouraged Australia to continue its efforts to empower the most vulnerable and protect the rights of all, including the migrants. 26. The Islamic Republic of Iran stated that it was deeply concerned by the increasing gap in the standards and quality of life between indigenous and non-indigenous people. Iran expressed concern, inter alia, with, the use of force by law enforcement officials and the use of “Tasers” by the police; and reported sub-standard prison conditions as well as persistent problems leading to the death of indigenous people in custody and disproportionate incarceration rates. Iran made recommendations. 27. Philippines requested further information provided on the incorporation of human rights awareness-raising in school curricula and vocational training programmes for government officials. It enquired if the Government were taking steps to accede to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW). Philippines asked about the work of the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council. It congratulated Australia for the increase in its ODA to the Asia-Pacific region. Philippines made recommendations. 28. Pakistan, while acknowledging the efforts by the Government for the promotion and protection of human rights, noted with concern that indigenous groups are still discriminated against. Pakistan hoped that Australia would take all possible measures to promote and protect human rights of all peoples, including migrants. It also noted with concern that irregular migrants were detained for an indefinite period at remote locations and stated that this practice should be discontinued. Pakistan made recommendations. 29. Hungary noted the inconsistencies- at the federal, state and territory levels- of the anti-discrimination laws. It referred to the recommendations of special rapporteurs and treaty bodies to enact a human rights bill and asked about the Government’s plans to address this issue. Hungary welcomed the launching of the “Closing the Gap” campaign and hoped it would remedy the increasing number of discriminatory acts against indigenous peoples and other minorities. Hungary made recommendations. 30. Morocco applauded Australia for the progress towards the rights of indigenous peoples, particularly through the formal Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, the establishment of the National Congress of Australian’s First Peoples and other measures aiming at the improvement of their socio-economic standards. Morocco asked whether the Government was providing support for Islamic education and whether Muslim students were receiving financial support in Australia. Morocco made recommendations. 31. The delegation emphasized that Australia is committed to ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture as a matter of priority. 32. The delegation also identified a number of treaties to which Australia is not a party, but which are currently under consideration, including the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED) and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-CESCR). It noted that before Australia ratifies or becomes bound by a treaty, the practice is for the Australian Government to satisfy itself that any legislation necessary to implement the treaty is in place. 33. In response to questions about Australia’s domestic implementation of human rights obligations, the delegation emphasized that Australia has a robust domestic legal system which recognizes and protects many basic rights and freedoms, an independent judiciary and an independent National Human Rights Institution. The delegation referred to various 6