A/HRC/11/23 Page 13 of their age and gender. Thailand wished to hear on how the outcomes of national dialogues could be put into practice and shared among all stakeholders. 68. Philippines recommended that Saudi Arabia continue and build on its positive measures to protect the rights of foreign workers. Philippines commended Saudi Arabia for contributing to the eradication of poverty and promoting development worldwide through its generous development cooperation. 69. Sri Lanka was encouraged that Saudi Arabia has been studying the question of accession to the two international covenants on human rights. It noted that the bill of law criminalizing human trafficking and prescribing specific penalties for such crimes is in its final stage of adoption, as well as the question of accession to the Optional Protocol to CEDAW. Sri Lanka asked what role is being played by the counselling boards and how they contribute towards rehabilitation and reforming persons convicted of terrorism related offences. 70. Norway asked in what way human rights defenders may be supported by the authorities in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. Norway recommended: a) that all international human rights organizations wishing to do so are allowed to visit Saudi Arabia; b) to end the strict system of male guardianship and give full legal identity to Saudi women; c) that appropriate measures be taken with a view to facilitate access to work for women; d) to adopt appropriate measures to disseminate widely and ensure full observance of the Declaration of Human Rights Defenders; e) that the obstacles to freedom of expression and movement against human rights defenders, including all travel bans are removed. 71. Sweden expressed concern about the situation of migrant women who serve as domestic workers. Sweden recommended that the Government (a) strengthen its efforts to secure that these violations are acted upon and take steps necessary to ensure full enjoyment of human rights of all women in Saudi Arabia; (b) take all the necessary measures and, as a first step, introduce a moratorium with a view to abolish the death penalty and adhere to the General Assembly resolutions in this regard; (c) increase its efforts in order to effectively combat impunity. 72. China highlighted Saudi Arabia’s recent efforts to engage in a dialogue with civil society. China asked about specific measures Saudi Arabia has taken to protect migrant workers in terms of medical insurance, housing and salary. 73. Singapore noted the accession to numerous international and regional human rights conventions, including CEDAW. Singapore recommended that close attention continue to be paid to advancing progress in migrant workers rights. 74. New Zealand remained concerned with the high numbers of executions in 2007 and 2008, the mistreatment of migrant workers, corporal punishment, economic and social discrimination faced by women. New Zealand recommended that Saudi Arabia: (a) become a party to the ICCPR and ICESCR; (b) curtail the practices of incarceration, mistreatment towards and the application of travel bans against individuals on the basis of political or religious beliefs; (c) cease the application of corporal punishment in accordance with its international human rights obligations; (d) protect the rights of those facing the death penalty, including through strengthened application of international safeguards in the use of the death penalty; e) adopt an awareness-raising programme at the local level to ensure much wider knowledge of CEDAW, and take steps to ensure the cessation of practices, including those under the guardianship system; (f) actively promote awareness of the 2005 Labour Code and establish an accessible