A/HRC/15/5 24. Turkey requested information about the reform of the education system. It asked whether Laos planned to establish a national human rights institution and urged the Government to develop a human rights action plan that encouraged the participation of civil society in treaty body reporting. Turkey also inquired whether Laos envisaged adopting a plan to combat human trafficking and requested information about measures taken to reduce maternal and infant mortality. 25. Indonesia commended the efforts of Laos to enhance good governance and its fight against poverty, highlighting the adverse effects of regional wars. It noted the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the emphasis placed on the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, as well as efforts to reform the judiciary and prison management. It encouraged Laos to train prison officers, noting that such an effort would be enhanced through the signing of the Convention against Torture and the ratification of the Convention on Enforced Disappearance. 26. Kazakhstan applauded efforts and policies to eradicate poverty and to create conditions for the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. It also noted the recent completion of the ordinance on treaty making, which should contribute substantively to the harmonization and implementation of international conventions ratified by Laos. 27. Germany noted that CRC had expressed concern at insufficient measures taken, in particular regarding access to education and health services and protection against exploitation. It requested further details about efforts to guarantee the rights of all children and to improve the position of women in rural and remote areas. With regard to law enforcement, Germany asked whether technical assistance by the international community would be welcome. 28. Algeria congratulated Laos on having ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and asked about measures envisaged for its implementation, including financial measures. It also congratulated Laos on its efforts to eliminate obstacles to development, in particular poverty. It welcomed the strategy for development adopted during the period 2001-2010, which had permitted the reduction of poverty from 48 per cent in 1990 to 26 per cent in 2008. 29. India commended Laos for progress in development and noted recent legislation encouraging the existence of civil society groups, liberalized media controls and expanded access to information. India referred to priorities and commitments in the national report, including efforts to reform the legal system and improvements in health care and education. India requested that the role of women in local development planning be strengthened and that an independent national human rights institution be established. India also requested Laos to share its experience with the 2006 Law on Handling Petitions, intended to facilitate the administration of justice for all ethnic groups. 30. Cuba highlighted the fact that the promotion and protection of human rights had been a priority for Laos and that the national socio-economic development plan for 20062010 had led to substantial results. Cuba commended Laos for its achievements related to employment, the rights of women and children, persons with disabilities, education and progress in health services. 31. Singapore expressed admiration for the commitment of Laos to improving the standard of living, exemplified by its adoption of the Millennium Development Goals as a priority. It noted impressive economic growth over the previous few years and welcomed efforts made in the areas of governance, education, health care, infrastructure, environmental protection, finance reform and the rule of law. It also noted the country’s support for the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and expressed its willingness to share its development experience. 6