A/HRC/22/11 74. Australia welcomed initiatives to strengthen Swiss protection of human rights, particularly for asylum seekers and children, and prevent torture. It commended constitutional amendments to reinforce access to justice and the independence of the judiciary, gender equality and women’s rights, and legislation to combat violence against women and trafficking in women. Australia made recommendations. 75. Bahrain said that human trafficking remained a major challenge and urged Switzerland to develop a national strategy to address this phenomenon and protect and assist victims. It asked about measures to ensure that female victims of violence were protected and had access to redress. Bahrain made a recommendation. 76. Bangladesh highlighted concerns expressed by several treaty bodies over the excessive use of force by police against asylum seekers, migrants and persons of African origin, the ban on construction of minarets, violence against women, high unemployment among migrants and women, and discrimination against travellers. Bangladesh made recommendations. 77. Belarus noted Swiss efforts to fulfil its international human rights obligations, but noted that it had entered many reservations on international instruments and did not sufficiently cooperate with special procedures concerning country visits. It was concerned at the excessive use of force by police against migrants and asylum seekers. Belarus made recommendations. 78. Romania commended the national report for reporting both on the position of the Government and civil society on the situation of human rights in Switzerland. It noted the ratification of various international instruments since the first review. It mentioned SwissRomanian cooperation in combating trafficking in persons. Romania made a recommendation. 79. Bhutan applauded the many efforts made by Switzerland to fulfil its human rights obligations, notably the establishment of the Swiss Resource Centre for Human Rights and its accession to international human rights instruments such as OP-CAT. Bhutan made a recommendation. 80. Botswana commended Switzerland on ratifying the Optional Protocol to CEDAW and OP-CAT and was satisfied with progress towards ratification of other international instruments. It welcomed the establishment of the Swiss Resource Centre for Human Rights and asked whether it would become a fully fledged national human rights institution at the end of the five-year pilot project. 81. Brazil commended Swiss efforts to promote gender equality. It was concerned, however, at the lack of provisions in the Criminal Code specifically addressing violence against women and the lack of effective measures to protect women, especially undocumented women, from becoming victims of human trafficking. Brazil made recommendations. 82. Bulgaria welcomed Swiss efforts to implement the accepted recommendations from the first UPR cycle and the broad consultations and inclusive dialogue with civil society in preparing the present report. It commended the ratification of several key international human rights instruments such as OP-CAT and OP-CEDAW. Bulgaria made recommendations. 83. Burkina Faso welcomed the amendment to the Penal Code concerning the extraterritorial practice of female genital mutilation by residents of Switzerland. It also noted efforts to address problems faced by migrants. It encouraged Switzerland to ratify international human rights instruments to which it had not yet acceded. 11