A/HRC/19/14 75. Portugal asked about the amendment on death-penalty legal provisions. Portugal was concerned about torture, ill-treatment and prison conditions, human rights defenders’ harassment, children’s sexual abuse, and child labour and trafficking despite the Children’s National Action Programme. Portugal acknowledged the Domestic Water Supply and Sanitation Policy but noted the inaccessibility to safe water and basic sanitation by vulnerable populations. Portugal made recommendations. 76. Ireland noted the GPA and the electoral process reforms, and the legal provisions against the rights of assembly and association. It urged Zimbabwe to revise the public order legislation in that respect, to safeguard the rights to protection and safety and to administer in an impartial manner the revised legislation. Ireland was concerned by the use of torture and cruel and degrading treatment by State actors. Ireland made recommendations. 77. Slovakia took positive note of the establishment of the Public Protector to protect citizens against administrative malpractice, as well as the criminalization of human trafficking. Slovakia made recommendations. 78. Thailand urged the Government to ensure the effective functioning of human rights mechanisms already established and to strengthen the rule of law and the justice system. It also noted that certain customary law restricted women’s rights. Thailand made recommendations. 79. Bangladesh commended Zimbabwe for the progress made in many socio-economic and political areas. It also underlined the challenges faced by the country in terms of food insecurity and women’s representation in elective bodies and HIV/AIDS. Bangladesh made recommendations. 80. Belgium regretted that the death penalty was still included in the penal code despite a de facto moratorium. Belgium mentioned abuses carried out by the army and the police, especially in the Marange region. It wanted to know how the Government would prohibit these violations and which sanctions were taken towards perpetrators. Belgium made recommendations. 81. Slovenia welcomed the signing of the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework. It expressed concern about the number of working children and over the health risk to vulnerable populations presented by the lack of access to safe water and sanitation. Slovenia made recommendations. 82. The Syrian Arab Republic commended Zimbabwe’s efforts in the protection of public freedoms and the promotion of democracy. It stated that Zimbabwe had suffered and continued to suffer from foreign intervention, unilateral economic and political sanctions imposed by countries seeking to abolish Zimbabwe’s independent decision-making and seize its resources. It encouraged Zimbabwe to pursue its efforts for economic and social promotion. 83. Denmark noted positive developments within the fields of human rights since the establishment of the GPA and the introduction of an inclusive Government, but it also pointed out the recent rise in human rights abuses. It underlined limitations to freedoms of assembly and association, the extensive control over the media and unlawful arrests of civil leaders. Denmark made recommendations. 84. Indonesia noted with appreciation the progress achieved since 2009 when the GNU had been established as well as the process of amending the Constitution to include clearcut provisions on the promotion and protection of human rights. Indonesia made recommendations. 11