A/HRC/15/5 health was modest, although the situation of maternal health was still dramatic, in particular in poorer areas. In that regard, it welcomed the fact that maternal health was one of the country’s national priorities. 85. Bahrain requested further information about steps taken to eradicate poverty and to implement national plans for social and economic development in the country. It also commended efforts made to promote and protect human rights, in particular the right to education. Bahrain requested additional information about policies aimed at ensuring the right to education for all, as part of the efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. 86. Japan expressed appreciation for the ratification of major international human rights instruments and cooperation with special procedures. However, Japan noted reports that freedom of expression and freedom of assembly were not being adequately guaranteed. Japan also noted that women and children were a focus of international concern, in particular with respect to the issues of trafficking and sexual exploitation. Japan expressed the hope that effective measures would be adopted, including the provision of assistance to victims. It noted efforts made to improve prison conditions, but it regretted occurrences of torture in prisons. 87. In response, Laos noted, with regard to the freedoms of speech, the press, assembly and association, that those freedoms were guaranteed under the Constitution and relevant legislation. Article 44 of the Constitution stipulated that Lao citizens enjoyed freedom of speech, the press and assembly, and had the right to establish associations and to stage demonstrations that were not contrary to the law. A Law on Media, a Law on Trade Unions and a Decree on Associations had recently been adopted. The Lao Government recognized that media played a crucial role in promoting and protecting human rights and that the violation of those freedoms was a criminal offence. 88. The Lao Government was strongly committed to ensuring that all laws governing the freedoms of expression, assembly and association were implemented effectively in practice. Indeed, remarkable progress and achievements had been accomplished in that area. 89. To date, private print, radio and television media had significantly increased. Highspeed Internet access at low cost was available in most major towns and even in rural areas, without any restriction. Thus far, the Government had never taken any measures to interfere with any radio or television broadcasting, including international cable channels, or to block Internet sites. 90. Lao media were free to report on views and opinions expressed by the people on any issue. Despite progress made over the years in implementing the Constitution and other laws pertaining to the freedoms of expression and the press, a number of challenges still needed to be addressed. Print media and radio and television broadcasts still did not reach all areas of the country. To further address that concern, the Government had invested in the media network, including digital broadcasting. 91. With regard to law enforcement, it was noted that the police force of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic worked according to a well-established system that took into account respect for humanitarian principles. Complaints about violations could be addressed directly to the relevant authority, such as the National Assembly. The authorities concerned were also working to improve detention and re-education centres. In that connection, the Ministry of Public Security was working on a draft instruction of the Minister on the Management of Detention and Re-education Centres with a view to addressing relevant concerns. 13