A/HRC/19/11 71. The delegation reported that there was a clear timeline for the dialogue and reform process, with municipal elections to be conducted within a month and a half and parliamentary election in February next year, once the new parties would have been constituted according to the new guidelines. 72. Concerning a suggestion for Syria to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the delegation noted that the Court could be exploited to threaten the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States and to punish those who the West wished to punish. Some major powers such as the United States themselves had not ratified the Rome Statute. 73. The delegation asserted that Syria gave full access to all humanitarian operations in Syria, and expressed in pride in hosting and providing for many refugees, including over a million Iraqi refugees, and about half a million Palestinian refugees since 1948, in addition to about half a million Syrian internally displaced persons from the occupied Golan. 74. In response to comments by Canada, Syria expressed its consternation at the hostility demonstrated towards Syria and questioned what the real intention was behind its calls for reforms and human rights, noting that it had rejected all calls for human rights for the Palestinian people and shown itself hostile to the pride and dignity of developing nations. Accordingly, the delegation rejected any interference in the internal affairs of Syria, which ran counter to international law. 75. The delegation stressed that Syria was a country comprising different ethnic groups and civilizations. However, the term “minority” was not a notion that was legally supported in Syria as every person had equal rights, regardless of their race, colour or religion. 76. The delegation commented on elements included in the statements of the United States, Norway and Canada, regarding freedom of opinion and the rights of demonstrators. The delegation stated that Syria guaranteed the right to freedom of expression, opinion and belief, and that limitations were imposed only insofar as the exercise of these rights interfered with the rights of others, especially through libel or insult. 77. Concerning human rights defenders, the delegation stated that there were more than 15,000 lawyers in Syria, many of whom worked on human rights issues. Allegations concerning the harassment of rights defenders were incorrect. 78. The delegation was surprised to hear comments on an insufficient representation of women in public life, as United Nations bodies, such as the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women had indicated that great efforts had been made by the Government in that area. Women could occupy any position, and their equal rights were guaranteed by the law. 79. Regarding queries on illiteracy, the delegation noted that efforts for its eradication were ongoing in accordance with the national development plan, and that the rate of illiteracy had been brought down to 14 per cent. 80. The Netherlands stated that Syria should extend cooperation to the commission of inquiry established by the Human Rights Council. Radical change was needed to improve the protection of human rights. The violence against peaceful protesters since March 2011 was unacceptable. Syria should respect the right to life, the freedom of expression and opinion, and the freedom of assembly. The Netherlands made recommendations. 81. Belgium regretted that the human rights situation had not improved after two special sessions of the Human Rights Council. It was concerned by reports of extrajudicial executions, arrests, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and excessive use of force against detainees. It asked what urgent measures Syria was taking to make its legislative system more transparent. Belgium made recommendations. 11