A/HRC/18/11 about the process and timeframe for accession to several key international human rights treaties. It made recommendations. 42. The United Arab Emirates noted achievements particularly in the area of economic, social and cultural rights. It highly appreciated the emphasis on the health and education sectors as bases to build on for progress in human development. Its education system had become a model to follow as testified by international organizations and in a special report concerning health in the world issued by the World Health Organization. It made recommendations. 43. Bhutan noted with appreciation the country’s development, which had raised the standard of living of its people and ensured the enjoyment of fundamental rights, particularly the rights of the more vulnerable groups, such as women, children, migrant workers, the disabled and the aged. Bhutan highlighted the Singaporean vision to be an inclusive society for persons with disabilities. Bhutan made recommendations. 44. Sri Lanka noted the country’s broad consultations with local stakeholders and nongovernmental sources in approaching the review. It commended the country’s massive strides since 1965 to improve literacy, transform its economy and increase gross domestic product per capita. It praised Singaporean health and education, as well the establishment of the Ministerial Steering Committee on Foreign Worker Management. It made recommendations. 45. Singapore stated that the Government was committed to looking after all Singaporeans and recognized the particular needs of various groups of society, including children, women, persons with disabilities and the elderly, aiming to empower all to uplift themselves and be self-reliant. Singapore was committed to its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as evidenced by the concrete progress made in protecting and advancing the status and outcomes of these groups. 46. Singapore addressed questions raised regarding children. On compulsory education, Singapore explained that all children, including those with disabilities, had access to quality education. Those with severe disabilities, who could not attend mainstream schools, attended special education schools, overseen by the Ministry of Education. On the age of criminal responsibility, Singapore gave assurances that its laws took into account maturity of understanding for child offenders aged between 7 and 12. The juvenile justice system was restorative and enabled early intervention. On corporal punishment, Singapore emphasized positive forms of discipline. Hence, corporal punishment was not common and was only conducted as a last resort with strict regulations, guidelines and procedures. 47. Singapore assured that it regularly reviewed its reservations and declarations on the the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and was, for instance, reviewing the scope of its reservations to the latter. Singapore believed in equal opportunities for men and women on the basis of meritocracy. The equality of all persons before the law was enshrined in article 12 of the Constitution. The rights of women were also protected by other legislation such as the Employment Act, the Penal Code and the Women’s Charter. 48. On women-related issues, its implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, including the relationship between the sharia law and civil law, was kept under constant review. The practice of sharia law in Singapore was progressive and responsive to the changing societal context. The Government had implemented the Committee’s concluding observations by undertaking studies on comparative jurisprudence and legislation of other countries, particularly on gender and family law in Islam. Singapore would provide an update during its fourth periodic report at the Committee’s forty-ninth session in July 2011. 8