A/HRC/25/3 94. Mexico hoped that Saudi Arabia would accept visit requests from Special Rapporteurs. It noted the adoption of the law on domestic violence and hoped that efforts to promote women’s equal participation would be strengthened. 95. Morocco noted the strengthened national institutional framework and requested information about efforts being made to reduce the number of deaths during childbirth and measures to support women’s rights. 96. Nepal welcomed progress made in education, health, employment, housing and social welfare and the priority given to combating discrimination, promoting freedom of expression, judicial and legislative reforms and women’s and children’s rights. 97. In response to comments and questions, Saudi Arabia noted as follows: (a) The death penalty is imposed only for the most serious crimes and strict procedures are applied to safeguard human rights when the death penalty is imposed insofar as the judgements are reviewed by 13 judges at the three levels of jurisdiction, in a manner consistent with international standards. Saudi Arabia notes that international law does not prohibit capital punishment if it is imposed in accordance with international standards. It requests States to consider all aspects of this issue in view of the considerable disparity between viewpoints thereon. (b) The mechanisms to combat violence are actively supported by civil society institutions such as the National Society for Human Rights and the National Family Security Programme. The recently promulgated Protection from Harm Act supplements the procedures applied to deal with cases of family violence and ensures that child victims enjoy all their social, educational and financial rights. (c) The Kingdom has taken measures to combat terrorism at all local, regional and international levels by conducting security operations and addressing extremist ideology. Although the Kingdom has been a victim of terrorism, the action that it has taken to protect its security has not affected the rights of its people or the administration of justice, since all the measures taken have been consistent with the rules of Islamic sharia as well as the Kingdom's national legislation and international obligations. It has thereby ensured a balance between the requirements of security and human rights. The Kingdom applied counselling and rehabilitation programmes to fight against extremist ideology through the Muhammad Bin Nayef Counselling and Care Centre, and special care has been taken to meet the financial and material needs of the families of detainees. (d) The situation of around 250,000 Burmese expatriates in Saudi Arabia is being remedied by giving them residency permits which enable them to benefit from social, health and educational services and employment opportunities. 98. The Netherlands expressed concern regarding the continuing lack of many rights for women, despite the appointment of 30 women to the Consultative Council. 99. New Zealand welcomed the efforts to improve the position of women, including in the electoral process. It enquired about steps taken to implement the law criminalizing domestic abuse. It expressed concern about the protection of migrant workers. 100. Nicaragua welcomed the progress made regarding human trafficking, children’s rights and gender equality and changes to legislation to allow women to participate in decision-making processes. 101. Nigeria commended the inclusion of civil society in national consultations prior to preparing its second national report and the progress made to promote and protect human rights. 10

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