A/HRC/11/30* 20. Algeria noted the establishment of an inter-agency Coordinating Committee to study Malaysia’s accession to other international human rights treaties. It recommended that Malaysia (a) continue to undertake the appropriate steps to ratify the international human rights instruments mentioned in paragraph 23 of the national report; (b) continue to spearhead progress towards gender equality and development for women, in particular by giving due consideration to the recommendations of the inter-agency committee coordinated by the Ministry of Women, Family and Development regarding the compliance of Malaysia with CRC and CEDAW and by withdrawing its reservations to both conventions; (c) pursue reforms aimed at restoring public confidence in the judiciary; (d) continue to take effective policies to ensure adequate housing for all citizens, particularly for those in the lower income bracket; and (e) strengthen the monitoring mechanism at the federal and district level to ensure that the programmes on poverty eradication reach the intended target group, and to share best practices with interested developing countries. 21. Israel recognized Malaysia’s efforts to further economic and social development, noting progress in health services, education and reduction of poverty. Israel recommended that Malaysia (a) abrogate or amend legislation, such as the Internal Security Act (ISA), that restricts fundamental freedoms in the name of national security or the economic life of the state, fosters the arbitrary arrest and detention of persons without granting access to judicial review, hinders the right to a fair trial, and acts to repress the free expression of human rights defenders and other members of civil society; (b) abolish the death penalty as the final form of punishment and establish a moratorium on the use of the death penalty in accordance with General Assembly resolution 62/149; (c) outlaw the practice of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, including the whipping of persons for alleged violations of the Immigration Act; (d) enact legislation providing for the status determination and protection of asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons and revise national immigration laws and procedures to distinguish such persons from those termed “irregular migrants”; (e) end the impunity of members of the Malaysian Volunteer Corps (RELA) for acts of violence, corruption, and the abuse of power against immigrants by amending the relevant RELA regulation; and (f) develop and adopt national legislation and practices granting formerly trafficked and exploited women and children remaining in Malaysia immunity from penalties under national immigration laws. 22. Nepal noted the high priority placed on education, public infrastructure, development of human capital, and provision of family health services. It noted the impressive progress in poverty reduction and in providing social safety nets to the elderly and vulnerable population. It noted Malaysia’s commitment to the welfare of foreign workers in the country. Nepal recommended that Malaysia (a) continue its efforts to the protection of the rights of migrant workers, and enhance their safety and welfare through institutional arrangements. 23. Sudan noted Malaysia’s recognition of the importance of economic, social and cultural rights as much as civil and political rights. Its experience demonstrates that economic development decisively helps in preserving national unity and stability. It strongly recommended that Malaysia share in detail and through the appropriate mechanisms of the Council, its achievements, experiences and lessons drawn in the following areas: (a) how it managed to bring down poverty rates in urban and rural areas in a consistent and progressive way during the last 35 years; (b) how the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Academy in Malaysia helped and continues to help fighting corruption and raising awareness; and (c) how to better acknowledge and serve the notion of the diversity of world major legal systems by applying the universally agreed norms and applying the standards included in the provisions of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights in cases where death penalty is imposed. 6 GE.09-16360