A/HRC/11/30* safeguarding ethnic harmony. It appreciated and encouraged Malaysia’s achievements in ensuring adequate housing and a comfortable living standard. It recommended that Malaysia: (a) continue efforts to reduce poverty and limit disparities in education and income; (b) share its experience with other developing countries with respect to poverty eradication; and (c) continue to set up policies and programmes necessary to guarantee adequate housing at reasonable cost for all inhabitants, particularly people with limited income. 39. Venezuela welcomed, inter alia, the establishment of SUHAKAM and noted the importance attached to economic, social and cultural rights and the related public policies and programmes. It referred particularly to the right to health that, as a social right, should be guaranteed as a part of the right to life. In that regard, Venezuela recommended that Malaysia (a) continue and deepen its current health plans, the main objective of which is to facilitate the access of the population to modern and quality health services. 40. Pakistan noted that Malaysia has been able to transform its ethnic diversity into strength; that fundamental liberties are guaranteed by the Constitution; and that SUHAKAM has been entrusted with wide powers. Pakistan noted the enactment of the Child Act 2001 and the establishment of the Cabinet Committee on Gender Equality, the dramatic poverty reduction and the priority given by Malaysia on education. 41. Jordan commended Malaysia for its sincere ongoing efforts for human rights promotion and protection, appreciating efforts to strengthen the institutional framework, including establishment of a high number of specialized agencies. It recommended that Malaysia: (a) continue to develop the institutional framework with respect to the promotion and protection of human rights; (b) enhance human rights education; and (c) provide and improve training programs on human rights for the judiciary, law enforcement personnel and lawyers. 42. Oman highlighted the importance of unity in this diverse country, noting also its scientific and economic successes, which have made it a developed country, and its ratification of and cooperation with a number of international human rights instruments, as well as with civil society. Proof of this is shown in efforts made to improve the status of women. Oman recommended (a) taking all necessary measures and implement all necessary programmes to overcome the obstacles that prevent women’s status to progress further; and (b) continuing to promote human rights in accordance with the values of the country. 43. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya noted that the Federal Constitution guarantees economic, social and cultural, as well as civil and political rights. It cited the 2001 law on the rights of the child, and mandatory primary education for all, as proof of the Malaysia’s interest in the rights of the child. It said Malaysia has worked to guarantee human rights for all children without distinction, and asked about measures adopted to implement the ILO Convention on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour. 44. In response to questions raised, including those written in advance, the delegation of Malaysia stated that although the country was not a party to the Convention against Torture, Malaysia did not tolerate or condone any conduct by any person which constituted torture, particularly involving enforcement officials. Any person who committed torture shall be subjected to the law, both penal and civil and no exception was made for enforcement agencies and its officials. Any form of torture is considered as a serious offence. Two recent cases, which involved the police, were used to illustrate the point. In both examples, there were clear commitments shown by Malaysia to deal with conduct that may give rise to the violation of human rights principles. 10 GE.09-16360

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