A/HRC/12/13 Page 12 international community must provide assistance to Yemen to tackle poverty and underdevelopment. 74. Portugal, welcoming efforts made, noted that inequality between women and men persisted in the legal system. It asked how Yemen intended to ensure that the current review of the Constitution and the Penal Code would not expand the scope of the death penalty and weaken safeguards regarding the execution of juveniles and the application of capital punishment for apostasy. 75. The Philippines lauded measures adopted to cushion the negative impact of the global financial crisis. It enquired about the extent to which climate change contributed to water scarcity. It congratulated Yemen for creating mechanisms at all levels of Government to promote the rights of women, and departments for the advancement of women in provinces, and enquired about coordination among these bodies. 76. The United States of America made recommendations related to prisons, freedom of expression, women’s rights and gender discrimination and labour rights. 77. Germany noted Yemen’s ambitious programme of transition and legal reforms. It enquired about measures taken to increase the school attendance of boys and girls and to diminish the illiteracy rate. 78. Norway noted that discrimination against women reportedly remained rampant and enquired about steps envisaged to implement the new law fixing a minimum marital age. Norway shared concern of the CEDAW Committee regarding discriminatory provisions in the Personal Status Law and appreciated plans to eliminate discriminatory provisions against women. Norway remained concerned about reports of harassment and intimidation against people expressing their views through peaceful demonstration. 79. Thailand commended Yemen for its human rights institution-building efforts. It fully understood the challenges faced by Yemen during the current financial crisis. Thailand was encouraged by measures taken to protect economic and social rights and acknowledged efforts undertaken for the advancement of women. 80. Latvia appreciated the responses provided regarding the issue of standing invitations to special procedures. It noted the cooperation of Yemen with special procedures, while referring to a number of pending requests for visits. 81. Slovenia noted that Yemen is a country of origin for child trafficking, and asked what measures would be taken to eradicate child trafficking. Slovenia noted that juvenile offenders had been executed in contravention of ICCPR and CRC. Slovenia asked for more information about juvenile offenders reportedly on death row. 82. The Sudan asked for more information on the obstacles that had faced the strategies to combat poverty, eradicate illiteracy and reform the education system, and on the national strategy on microfinancing. 83. Hungary welcomed legislative and constitutional achievements in the field of human rights. It expressed concern about amendments to legislation regarding criminal investigation and detention. It recognized difficulties faced by Yemen in addressing terrorism, but stressed that