A/HRC/16/2 390. Zimbabwe encouraged Malawi to continue its excellent work in promoting and protecting human rights. Zimbabwe thanked the delegation for its updated presentation and for its acceptance of most recommendations, and its commitment to implementing them. Zimbabwe noted the recommendations that did not enjoy Malawi’s support and expressed the view that Malawi would continue to look at them at the appropriate time. Zimbabwe stood with other countries for the promotion and protection of the human rights of Malawian citizens and of all humankind. 391. Switzerland regretted that only one of the four recommendations it made had been accepted. It requested clarification on the position taken by Malawi with regard to all pending recommendations, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 392. The Malawi Human Rights Commission stated that it would play a consultative and coordinating role with the Government and non-governmental organizations, to ensure that the universal periodic review recommendations, including those rejected, were discussed and all stakeholders reached a common position. The approach to be adopted would be to link international instruments and treaties with the recommendations, so that the public could hold informed discussions on these issues. The Commission suggested that a timeline for follow-up be identified and that an inter-ministerial committee to monitor the implementation of the recommendations be established. It hoped that a number of improvements in the areas where the international community raised concerns could be made during the second cycle of the universal periodic review. 393. Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme congratulated Malawi on its Vision 2020 project for socio-economic development. It welcomed the creation of a human rights commission, the mediator’s office and the ratification of most human rights instruments. It expressed concerns at detention conditions, at reports on torture and other ill-treatment inflicted by the members of the police, and at the prevalence of impunity. It encouraged Malawi to reform its criminal code in order to abolish discrimination based on sexual orientation. Lastly, it praised Malawi’s efforts to combat violence against women and human trafficking. 394. World Vision International welcomed Malawi’s commitment to work on areas such as children rights and violence against women. It was concerned about shortcomings in the educational system, and encouraged the Government to strengthen its efforts to improve education and health care, particularly for people living in rural areas, women, children, people living with disabilities and those living with HIV/AIDS. It noted that Malawi’s expenditure on health care fell short of the amount estimated to deliver the essential health package, which should be provided free of charge at all public health facilities. It urged the Government to put in place strong and clear mechanisms for follow-up on the implementation of recommendations that would allow the participation of both Government and civil society. World Vision was fully committed to assist Malawi in implementing its commitments. 395. Franciscans International was encouraged that Malawi had accepted recommendations to take more effective measures ensuring accessibility of crucial public services in rural areas and to make education one of its top priorities. It regretted the fact that Malawi had rejected several recommendations relating to compulsory primary education, in contravention of article 28 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It noted that overcrowding and poor teaching had been a major drawback to quality education, and recommended that Malawi increase its education budget to improve infrastructure and teaching resources for more fully trained teachers. 158 GE.11-17059