A/HRC/12/11* 39. Singapore noted that Viet Nam has come a long way in rebuilding after decades of war. Concerning poverty eradication, the proportion of people below the national poverty line has been cut from over 60 per cent in 1990 to 13.8 per cent in 2008. Regarding the rights of the child, Viet Nam was the first in Asia and second in the world to sign CRC. Singapore commended Viet Nam’s achievements and recommended that it continue to improve in the following areas: poverty eradication, rights of the child, women’s rights and rights of persons with disabilities. 40. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea appreciated a series of measures for human rights noting the achievements in the economy and other sectors. It recommended (a) continuing ongoing efforts for the betterment of the disadvantaged groups in society, including people with disabilities; (b) furthering efforts to engage all social and political organizations of the country in the promotion and protection of human rights; and (c) sharing with other countries its experiences in poverty reduction and agricultural development. 41. Norway recommended that Viet Nam (a) promptly fulfil its aim of limiting the use of capital punishment by reducing the scope of crimes subject to the death penalty, (b) give individuals, groups and organs of society the legitimacy and recognition to promote human rights and to express their opinions or dissent publicly, (c) adopt appropriate measures to disseminate widely and ensure full observation of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, (d) ensure that the media can operate freely and independently, and (e) ensure that the amended press law complies with ICCPR and that the legal framework allows the existence of privately owned media. 42. Noting the right to development, Malaysia recommended to that Viet Nam (a) speed up the law reforms and public administration programmes aimed at deepening and broadening democratic norms, principles and standards; (b) consider accession to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons; and (c) consider accession to the ILO Forced Labour Convention. 43. The Islamic Republic of Iran recommended (a) taking concrete measures for further promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development for better realization of the MDGs; (b) continuing judicial reform towards a healthy, strong, democratic and efficient judicial system, which is necessary as an enabling condition for the promotion and protection of human rights; (c) cooperating with the international community and neighbouring countries particularly in the fight against transborder organized crime, and fight against trafficking in women and children; (d) strengthening efforts in fighting against corruption, which negatively affects the enjoyment of human rights of everyone. 44. Brazil commended the Government for involving civil society in efforts and recommended that the Government (a) establish a permanent independent human rights monitoring body; (b) review the list of crimes for which the death penalty is imposed, with a view to abolishing capital punishment; (c) enhance women’s access to health care, in particular sexual and reproductive health services; (d) accomplish progressively human rights goals set forth in resolution 9/12. 45. Sweden welcomed the efforts to improve access to health and education and recommended that Viet Nam (a) take further measures to prevent violence and discrimination against ethnic minorities. Sweden noted from the national report the more than 20 million Internet users in Viet Nam and recommended that (b) full respect for freedom of expression, including on the Internet, be incorporated in the forthcoming media law reform. Sweden recommended that Viet Nam (c) step up efforts to enable early GE.09-16382 9