A/HRC/18/6 Government’s intention to sign the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and amend the penal code to ban FGM. France made recommendations. 45. United Arab Emirates noted Government efforts to protect human rights despite difficult circumstances and observed that the institutional framework was in need of further strengthening. UAE expressed appreciation for the will of the Government to promote the rule of law and for its efforts to establish peace. It emphasized the need to focus efforts on institution-building, supported by technical assistance, as envisaged in relevant Human Rights Council resolutions. 46. Thailand noted with appreciation the TFG’s efforts in the protection of human rights despite challenges faced during its State-building. It inquired about the state of the implementation of the Human Rights Council resolution 15/28 on assistance to Somalia in the field of human rights. Thailand expressed its concern regarding the weak justice system and the piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia. It made recommendations. 47. Djibouti noted the challenges in re-establishing the rule of law after two decades of conflict. It expressed dismay about the forcible recruitment of children in areas controlled by Al-Shabaab, and congratulated the Government on its actions to address this matter. Djibouti emphasized that Somalia needed an integrated approach as well as the financial, technical and political support of the international community in order to achieve peace and security. 48. Kuwait noted Government efforts to rebuild institutions and deliver basic services such as access to health and education to the population. However, internationally recognized human rights could not be ensured as long as the Somali population could not be guaranteed even the right of life, which the Government aimed to protect. The right to life was endangered by violent attacks of armed groups whose victims were often civilians. Kuwait made recommendations. 49. Switzerland expressed concern at the grave violations of international law reported daily in Somalia, including summary and extrajudicial executions; cruel and inhuman treatment such as flogging and amputations; forced marriage; use of civilians as human shields and threats to journalists and human rights defenders. It made recommendations. 50. Japan welcomed the improvement in the public security situation in the urban areas of Mogadishu and the drafting of the Constitution. It stated that TFG needed to establish the rule of law in cooperation with international community and work on reforming its domestic legislation. Japan expressed concern at the human rights violations committed against women and children. It made recommendations. 51. Israel expressed concern over reports of lack of clean water, basic health services, independent judicial mechanisms, accessible remedies and accountability for perpetrators of sexual violence in Somalia. It expressed concern over areas controlled by insurgent groups. It urged the international community to provide assistance to the TFG and made recommendations. 52. Ireland urged Somalia to pay a special attention to establishing a functioning justice system. It noted Somalia’s commitment to enshrine human rights principles in the Constitution. It expressed concern at numerous reports of children being recruited as soldiers, on all sides. Ireland asked about steps taken to improve access for humanitarian actors and aid agencies within Somalia and to ensure that no children under the age of 18 are recruited into the armed forces or police. It made recommendations. 53. Slovenia expressed concern about the reports of child labour with cases of child soldiers and street begging. It commended Somalia for ensuring access to free education in Mogadishu for the first time since 1991 but it remained concerned about the low level of 8