A/HRC/8/23 Page 7 22. The Philippines congratulated Indonesia for the quality of its report, highlighting achievements as well as challenges and constraints in promoting and protecting human rights. It welcomed amendments to the Indonesian legal framework, aligning it with modern norms and standards in line with the principles of democracy, rule of law and human rights. It also welcomed the special attention given in the report to the problems faced by children and women and encouraged Indonesia to continue addressing these. They strongly recommended additional capacity-building measures in support of the programmes and projects outlined in its report. 23. Belgium commended the work of the Komnas-HAM, and noted the recognition of its status in 2001 and 2007. It noted Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen this institution, but referred to the need to better guarantee its independence, a concern expressed by the institution itself as reflected in the stakeholders’ summary report. It also noted observations made by the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on the insufficient impartiality and independence of Komnas-HAM. It asked Indonesia to provide information on initiatives taken to implement the recommendations of treaty bodies and measures taken to strengthen the independence and impartiality of the national institution. It asked if legislative measures were envisaged to allow Komnas–HAM to have immediate and unlimited access to police and detention centres. 24. Pakistan noted that Indonesia’s National Action Plan on Human Rights has kept a sharp focus on protection issues. It referred to public policies, supported by constitutional, legal and administrative reforms, to put human rights at the centre of national politics. Pakistan also noted that Indonesia has concentrated maximum energy in the area of the protection of child rights. It requested information on Indonesia’s engagement with nine special procedures and on how this has contributed to the promotion of human rights. It also asked about lessons learnt and good practices with regard to managing the transition to democracy in a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-racial society. 25. Saudi Arabia indicated that it carefully studied the national and other reports of Indonesia, and examined the general framework in the first and second NHRAPs, which included practical measures undertaken by Indonesia to strengthen human rights in keeping with cultural and religious values without discrimination on the basis of race, religion or belief. It referred to measures undertaken to strengthen human rights such as the harmonization of national legislation with international human rights norms, the setting up of centres to protect women and children in the provinces, and the revision of law No. 3/1997 on children’s courts and the cooperation with UNICEF. Saudi Arabia asked for more information on the role that the Indonesian national human rights institutions play for the promotion and protection of human rights. 26. The Islamic Republic of Iran commended Indonesia’s efforts to promote and protect human rights at the national, regional and international levels. It asked the delegation to elaborate further on the steps taken to amend the Constitution and on the role of the Constitutional Court in the promotion and protection of human rights. It also noted that Indonesia has invited and received 11 Special Rapporteurs and asked how these visits have contributed to the improvement of the human rights situation on the ground. It also asked to what extent Komnas-HAM has played a role in the improvement of human rights. 27. Malaysia noted the openness demonstrated by Indonesia in acknowledging and addressing human rights challenges, and noted that it continues to undertake concrete legislative, policy and administrative measures to improve the enjoyment of human rights of its people. It also noted the five-year National Action Plan on Human Rights and the large number of implementing committees throughout the provinces. It made reference to the very large number of Indonesian foreign workers