A/HRC/16/7 80. Bahrain acknowledged the accession of Maldives to many international treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention against Torture, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It noted the recommendation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child that Maldives ratify the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Bahrain requested further information about steps taken to implement that recommendation. 81. Japan noted positively recent legislation and measures to protect women, children, the elderly and the disabled. Japan welcomed the expansion of freedom of expression and commended Maldives’ accession to ILO in 2009. However, Japan regretted the incidents involving the arrest of two opposition legislators, expressing the hope that the Government and the opposition would reconcile their differences in a lawful manner. Japan made a recommendation. 82. Bhutan expressed appreciation for Maldives’ peaceful transition to democracy in 2008 and its continuous efforts in the Human Rights Council on the issues of human rights and climate change. Bhutan noted that gender discrimination and violence still existed, while welcoming the drafting of the domestic violence bill. Bhutan commended Maldives for having provided free education from the pre-primary to the secondary school level, especially for girls. Bhutan made recommendations. 83. Nepal congratulated the people of Maldives on the peaceful democratic transformation of two years ago. Nepal noted efforts for the empowerment of women and the well-being of persons with disabilities, senior citizens and migrant workers, as well as Maldives’ active role in the Human Rights Council, including with regard to climate change. 84. Ghana congratulated Maldives on the adoption of policies to promote human rights, such as the mandatory human rights training for new police personnel and the mainstreaming of gender equality across all policy areas. Ghana noted that the Constitution and legislation prohibited the public practice of religions other than Islam, and that citizenship was granted only to Muslims. Ghana noted the extreme dispersal of the population, combined with slow sea transportation, and welcomed the process of decentralization. Ghana made recommendations. 85. Chad noted the major challenges faced by Maldives, particularly as a result of climate change. It noted that the national report had been the result of broad consultations. It also noted with appreciation specific measures adopted to improve the situation of women, the disabled and the elderly. Chad made a recommendation. 86. Maldives stated that, in an effort to consolidate democracy, the Government was working to remove corruption from all Government institutions, and that it had embarked on the process. Parliamentary immunity did not extend to criminal offences outside the jurisdiction of Parliament. The police investigated allegations of corruption in Parliament. Arrests of parliamentarians had been made, and proceedings were still ongoing. Due process had been closely followed in the process. 87. The 2008 Constitution applied to all persons, not only citizens. All persons residing in Maldives were entitled to the protection provided by the charter of rights under the Constitution. 88. Progress in freedom of expression had been made. In Maldives, the media community, reflecting a broad spectrum of political and social views, thrived. In 2010, the bill establishing the Maldives broadcasting cooperation had been enacted. The bill of freedom of information had been resubmitted in 2008. Regarding reports that a journalist 12