A/HRC/18/2 maintaining political stability and promoting good governance. Cambodia looked forward to working with Singapore through the regional framework. 471. India thanked Singapore for its detailed responses to the recommendations set out in the addendum to the report of the Working Group. It took positive note of the receptive, candid, cooperative and constructive manner in which Singapore had participated in the universal periodic review process. It was encouraged by Singapore’s acceptance of a large number of recommendations and confident that Singapore would further intensify its efforts to implement the recommendations accepted. 472. The United States of America welcomed the acceptance by Singapore of many recommendations and its intention to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. While applauding the holding of presidential elections and the consideration given to the establishment of an independent elections body, it remained concerned about the ability of the people to change Government and encouraged the reform of electoral laws. It further encouraged efforts to fight human trafficking and to assist victims, as well as the ratification of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons. It remained concerned about freedom of expression and the right of peaceful assembly, urged Singapore to repeal the 2009 public assembly law, and expressed its regret that Singapore had rejected a moratorium on corporal punishment. 473. Saudi Arabia stated that Singapore’s commitment to human rights was demonstrated by its cooperation with human rights mechanisms and readiness to engage in a genuine dialogue on human rights. Singapore was a party to many international human rights instruments and had shown its eagerness to realize the human rights enshrined in them. Saudi Arabia commended Singapore for its cooperative spirit and the efforts made in the protection and promotion of human rights. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 474. Article 19 and MARUAH referred to significant changes in Singapore since its review, noting that the outcome of the general election was indicative of the people’s desire for more space and freedom to express themselves, and a greater say in policymaking discussions. The Government had not, however, accepted the recommendations concerning civil and political freedoms, including with regard to the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the withdrawal of its reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the establishment of a national human rights commission, a review of defamation laws, the Newspaper Printing and Publishing Act and laws for preventative detention, and concerning the death penalty. 475. Human Rights Watch regretted Singapore’s refusal to repeal the Internal Security Act and other laws permitting detention without charge when claiming threats to national security and public order, and urged it to rescind preventive detention laws. It also urged Singapore to reject the use of the death penalty and to endorse a moratorium on it. Human Rights Watch demanded that the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly be ensured. It noted Singapore’s plan to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, but urged it to ratify all core human rights treaties and to make a commitment to ending the use of torture. It also urged Singapore to ratify ILO Convention No. 189 and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. 148 GE.12-17756