A/HRC/16/2 1. Views expressed by the State under review on the recommendations and/or conclusions, on its voluntary commitments and on the outcome 549. After conveying to Japan its sympathy and condolences with regard to the natural disaster that had befallen the country, Lebanon stated that it appreciated the efforts of the Human Rights Council to promote human rights. 550. Lebanon had been a victim of wars of others on its land and was taking steps to make up for the standstill in the country during successive crises. It was updating its laws in line with the principles promoted by the Human Rights Council, which were also the essence of the State of Lebanon. 551. The delegation thanked all countries that had provided comments and recommendations, noting that it would make efforts to take all comments into consideration. Lebanon also appreciated the work of civil society and hoped to work hand in hand with civil society organizations to create an enabling environment for these organizations to pursue their legitimate interests and concerns. 552. Lebanon recalled that it had accepted a large number of recommendations, some of which had already been implemented or were in the process of implementation. With regard to the recommendations the consideration of which Lebanon had postponed, the delegation reported that all recommendations had been accepted, with the exception of a part of one recommendation. In this context, the delegation referred to an annotated list of recommendations that it had submitted to provide further clarifications. Lebanon was pleased to announce that it had accepted to extend a standing invitation to all special procedures mandate holders to visit the country, and that preparation of overdue reports to treaty bodies, including the Committee against Torture, was under way. 553. Concerning women’s rights, the delegation pointed out that six draft laws were currently before the Chamber of Deputies and that the National Commission for Lebanese Women had submitted to the Ministry of Justice proposals to eliminate discriminatory provisions from legislation, in particular provisions having an economic effect. These proposals were currently being considered by the Ministry. Lebanon had accepted all recommendations on the protection of women from domestic violence, and a draft law on this matter was in preparation. Lebanon had also accepted a recommendation concerning crimes of honour, pointing out that the draft penal code that had been submitted to Parliament eliminated provisions mitigating the seriousness of the crime so as to align it with other crimes for which the law provides appropriate punishment. 554. With regard to Palestinian refugees, Lebanon highlighted the establishment of a Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue, which was a mechanism of cooperation conducted in a positive and realistic manner, together with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and donor countries, to address pending issues, including those relating to identity documents, the situation of camps and the reconstruction of the Nahr el Bared camp. Regarding the economic situation of Palestinian refugees and their right to work, the Ministry of Labour had authorized Palestinians living in Lebanon to work in many professions that had previously been reserved for Lebanese nationals. Provisions had also been made to ensure that Palestinians would receive compensation for arbitrary dismissal as well as end of service benefits that were equal to those received by Lebanese citizens. 555. The delegation added that, in line with its accession to the Convention against Torture in 2000 and the Optional Protocol thereto in 2008, it had accepted all recommendations concerning torture and was also following up on recommendations made by the Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture following its visit to Lebanon in 2010. With regard to enforced disappearances, Lebanon had accepted all recommendations to determine the fate of disappeared persons, in line with the relevant Ministerial GE.11-17059 183