A/HRC/27/8 81. Serbia welcomed the laws to protect children’s rights and prevent domestic violence and encouraged Bhutan to implement them. The National Commission for Women and Children should be enabled to fulfil its mandate. Serbia made a recommendation. 82. Sierra Leone applauded the commitment of Bhutan to strengthening democracy and reducing poverty. Access to health care and good governance had improved. Bhutan should combat gender-based violence, increase women’s access to justice and reduce youth unemployment. Sierra Leone made recommendations. 83. Singapore noted efforts to further the rule of law, strengthen judicial capacity and develop human resources. It acknowledged improvements to the education system and efforts to improve equal access to education. Singapore made recommendations. 84. Slovenia welcomed the signing of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It noted that the high incidence of child marriage was a major factor contributing to the significant number of low-birth-weight babies. Slovenia made recommendations. 85. Solomon Islands commended efforts to mainstream gender into development plans and policies and the commitment to collaborating with and supporting civil society organizations, given their critical role in advancing human rights. It made recommendations. 86. South Africa commended the priority given to environmental conservation, socioeconomic development, good governance and the preservation of culture. It encouraged Bhutan to make further efforts to tackle non-communicable diseases and to promote, protect and ensure the fulfilment of human rights. It made recommendations. 87. South Sudan noted the commitment to strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights through the adoption of relevant legislation. It applauded initiatives to enhance democracy, notably through public awareness-raising programmes. It made a recommendation. 88. Spain welcomed measures to promote inclusive education, especially for persons with disabilities, and efforts to combat gender-based violence. It expressed concern about discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. It made recommendations. 89. Sri Lanka was encouraged by progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, although challenges remained, including insufficient food and nutrition security and chronic malnutrition among a third of children. It noted the commitment to environmental conservation. It made recommendations. 90. The State of Palestine welcomed efforts to ensure that democracy took firm root, but noted that challenges remained. The youth unemployment rate, which was higher than the national average, also remained a concern. The State of Palestine made recommendations. 91. The Sudan highlighted the alternative development model of Bhutan, which was based on the concept of “gross national happiness” and emphasized a more holistic approach to development, with people at its centre. The Sudan made a recommendation. 92. Switzerland welcomed the progress made in strengthening the democratic process. It expressed concern about the situation of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal and the fact that certain ethnic groups continued to suffer discrimination in Bhutan. Switzerland made recommendations. 93. The United Republic of Tanzania commended Bhutan for holding successful elections and establishing development plans, and for its achievements in the areas of economic development, education, health care, food and nutrition security, and youth employment. The United Republic of Tanzania made a recommendation. 10