A/HRC/18/11 Singapore courts. Legal redress was supplemented by appropriate non-legal measures provided by both the public and private sectors. There were also existing inter-agency consultative mechanisms on human rights. At the regional level, Singapore worked closely with ASEAN, in particular through its Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children. Through such mechanisms, Singapore shared its best practices and learned about ways to enhance rights protection. 90. Concerning a question on extending a standing invitation to special procedures, Singapore noted that it had received a number of visits, including by the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in 2010. Singapore was open to further discussions, and visit requests would be considered on the merits of each proposal. It had also provided responses to questionnaires and communications from special procedures. 91. Regarding an independent electoral commission, Singapore noted that the crux of the issue was whether there was an agency that conducted its business in a fair and transparent manner and was trusted by the public. In the case of Singapore, that was the Elections Department, run by civil servants who carried out their work objectively and in accordance with the law. Civil servants were appointed and promoted according to civil service rules, so that they would be impartial in carrying out their duties, without fear of political interference. 92. Lastly, Singapore assured that the Government would continue to engage civil society in the follow-up after the universal periodic review, as it had in the preparation of the national report. As regards accession to further human rights treaties, the focus of Singapore was on the full and effective implementation of treaty obligations. Singapore emphasized that non-accession to a particular treaty did not mean that in practice its policies were not already largely in compliance with its provisions. Singapore confirmed its intention to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities next year and to consider other instruments, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and ILO conventions. 93. Singapore appreciated the opportunity to engage in the review process and thanked all delegations for their comments and recommendations. Those would be considered in a positive spirit, with due regard to the needs of social harmony and the aspirations of its people. II. Conclusions and/or recommendations 94. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue and listed below have been examined by Singapore and enjoy the support of Singapore: 94.1. Continue its commitment to advancing the lives of its people through the provisions of best education, housing and medical care, which has rightfully earned its international recognition (Brunei Darussalam); 94.2. Continue to take positive steps to enhance the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, especially in the areas of health, education and the care of the disabled (the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea); 94.3. Continue applying programmes and measures aimed at ensuring universal access of its population to its excellent educational and health services and maintain the highest possible quality of these services (Cuba); 14