A/HRC/16/7 respect to divorce, the delegation noted that the court had begun to recognize agreements between husbands and wives. 71. There were no religious minorities in Maldives that been discriminated against. For more than 800 years, Islam had been the only religion practiced in the country, and what was faced today was a result of that legacy. The Government had an obligation to ensure that the rights of non-Muslims in Maldives were protected, and a number of measures were being taken to ensure that non-Muslims – essentially migrant workers – were able to exercise their right to practice their beliefs in private. 72. Sweden asked whether Maldives could elaborate on measures being taken to ensure the enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief as enshrined in the Universal Declaration and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It also asked what measures were being taken to ensure non-discrimination and equal rights for citizens and other persons of different religious beliefs. In addition, it inquired about measures being taken to eliminate violence and discrimination against women. Sweden made recommendations. 73. New Zealand voiced concern about the lack of legislation to address violence against women and harassment in the workplace, and about the application of public flogging. It expressed appreciation for the country’s openness regarding its judicial problems and welcomed the establishment of the Human Rights Commission. New Zealand made recommendations. 74. Argentina asked about measures taken to eliminate discrimination against children born out of wedlock and persons with disabilities in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. In that connection, it asked whether Maldives had criminalized in the Criminal Code the sale of children and child prostitution and pornography. Argentina made recommendations. 75. Chile referred to the new Constitution and congratulated Maldives on its recent ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its accession to ILO. Chile expressed support for initiatives on climate change. It made recommendations. 76. France noted with appreciation the existence in Maldives of a moratorium on the death penalty since 1952 and asked what obstacles to the abolition of the death penalty existed. It also lauded the progress made on freedom of expression. Noting that Maldives was party to the Convention against Torture, it wondered about sentences of flogging often pronounced against women. France made recommendations. 77. Palestine noted existing challenges regarding children and discrimination against women. It acknowledged the efforts made to promote human rights through prison reform through the country’s agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the increase in resources to address child sexual abuse. Palestine noted the accession to the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the achievement of Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5. Palestine made recommendations. 78. Norway expressed appreciation for Maldives’ willingness to work with the international community on human rights. It also raised the issues of freedom of religion and belief, the situation of women, and vulnerable groups such as migrant workers, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and children. Norway made recommendations. 79. Slovenia asked whether the Maldives was considering reviewing its legislation to ensure that all barriers to gender equality at the legislative and constitutional levels were abolished. Slovenia also asked whether Maldives had already considered withdrawing its reservation to article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Slovenia made recommendations. 11