A/HRC/18/11 as through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights as well as the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children. It made recommendations. 17. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea acknowledged the multifaceted nature of Singaporean society and the positive steps taken to ensure racial and religious harmony, while giving equal importance to ensuring stability, equality and social justice as prerequisites for development. It commended the country’s achievements in economic, social and cultural rights, demonstrated by economic growth and improvement of living standards. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea believed that those achievements were a result of importance attached by the Government to human rights. It made recommendations. 18. Myanmar appreciated the broad consultation process undertaken by the Government in preparation of the review. It also noted that the Government had taken a number of effective measures to maintain racial and religious harmony, particularly implementing constitutional clauses for the protection of racial and religious minorities. It acknowledged the challenges overcome by Singapore and the improvement of the well-being and the enjoyment of human rights of its people including rights of migrant workers by enhancing social justice and delivering effective public service. Myanmar made a recommendation. 19. Ethiopia noted Singaporean efforts to comply with its international human rights obligations. It recognized the rich tradition and successes in intercultural and interreligious coexistence and harmony. It commended the country’s economic development and wished to learn from that experience. It requested information on how Singapore succeeded in ensuring fair access to education for all linguistic communities and groups while ensuring a system that nurtured and valued meritocracy. Ethiopia made recommendations. 20. Lesotho welcomed the efforts to protect the rights of special groups of people. It applauded the enactment of the Compulsory Education Act of 2003 as evidence of the progress in the field of education. It urged the international community to continue to lend support to the efforts made by Singapore to enhance the discharge of its human rights obligations. Lesotho made recommendations. 21. The Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic congratulated Singapore for attaining political stability, equality and social justice. It noted its massive progress in economic development and the fight against poverty. It highlighted that Singapore was party to basic human rights instruments and commended it for taking these obligations seriously. It made recommendations. 22. Cambodia acknowledged the fact that the Singaporean multi-ethnic and multicultural society had lived peacefully throughout many decades. It noted that Singapore was recognized as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. It praised efforts to improve the high living standard of its citizens along with human rights so as to further advance the lives and well-being of its people, especially in the economic, social and cultural areas. It recalled that Singapore was actively involved in the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights to address issues such as the ASEAN instrument on the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers. 23. The Philippines commended Singaporean achievements in many socio-economic fields, such as the provision of health and social services, education, and affordable housing. It noted the country’s commitment to good governance. It commended new legislation passed to improve the conditions of foreign household service workers. The Philippines made recommendations. 24. Saudi Arabia acknowledged achievements in the health sector, which was not only ranked the best in Asia, but also sixth internationally, with high life expectancy and low 5