A/HRC/19/2 against HIV/AIDS and malaria, its assistance needs, and to request such assistance, in particular from WHO, and to consider establishing an integrated human development programme. 452. South Africa commended Swaziland for accepting more than 90 per cent of the recommendations made during its review. It noted the progress made in education, especially in the provision of free primary education. It welcomed the work undertaken to combat the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which had had a negative impact on the socioeconomic development of the country. The Government had identified clearly the challenges that impeded the effective promotion and protection of human rights in the country; South Africa therefore called on the international community to support these efforts. 453. Chad congratulated the delegation and thanked it for its clear statement. It was particularly touched that Swaziland had accepted the recommendation it had made during the session of the Working Group in October 2011, namely, that Swaziland request the international community to provide technical and financial assistance to meet its human rights needs. 454. Botswana commended Swaziland for its bold measures in the area of human rights, such as the establishment of an independent national commission on human rights. It commended the Government for having accepted most of the recommendations received, including on strengthening existing institutions to protect democracy. Botswana lauded the commitment made by the Government to broad consultations with stakeholders for the follow-up to these voluntary obligations. It acknowledged the explanation made by the delegation regarding the recommendations Swaziland had not accepted and the fact that this did not lessen the State’s human rights obligations. 455. Angola welcomed the establishment of an independent human rights commission to investigate complaints of human rights violations and complaints concerning human rights brought against private and public bodies. Angola noted Swaziland’s achievements in education, health, food security and the promotion of women’s rights. Angola welcomed the Government’s efforts to ensure access to free primary education and the right of access to free health services, food security, the national child policy and the national policy for gender equality; all this reflected the considerable progress made in increasing the number of women employed in the public sector despite the many economic problems that the country faced because of its small size and economic vulnerability to external shocks. Angola also welcomed the measures taken by Swaziland to deal with the problems noted in its national report, including the plans and programmes of action emphasizing such constitutional rights as the rights to life and to education, and the efforts to protect vulnerable groups and combat poverty and HIV/AIDS. Angola appealed to the international community to provide Swaziland with sustained support. 456. Kenya welcomed the concrete initiatives the Government had taken to promote human rights in many areas. It acknowledged the commitment to food security, poverty reduction and accessibility to health and education, among others. It noted that the eventual fulfilment of these commitments would not only be an achievement in the promotion of human rights but also the realization of the Millennium Development Goals. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 457. The International Commission of Jurists referred to Swaziland’s judicial crisis, which had exposed a serious risk to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. It recalled that, in June 2011, the Chief Justice had issued a practice directive banning litigants from suing the King, thereby restricting access to justice for the Swazi people. Furthermore, in August 2011, a High Court judge well known for applying international GE.13-14768 201