A/HRC/19/8 69. Bangladesh highlighted Thailand’s human rights commitments and was encouraged by its achievements in poverty alleviation, education, health and social protection, noting the policies and plans adopted in those areas. Bangladesh acknowledged Thailand’s movement towards political stability and the empowerment of women. It referred to the challenges of social inequalities, trafficking, and protection of the rights of children, women and migrants. Bangladesh made recommendations. 70. Regarding the issue of human trafficking, the Government has started the process to ratify the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Palermo Protocol against trafficking. Furthermore, the 2008 Anti-Trafficking Act contains most of the articles of the Protocol, as well as many articles from the OHCHR Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking. 71. Thailand has also developed guidelines and procedures for the identification of victims of trafficking, including the provision of medical services, psychosocial counselling, legal aid, education and vocational training. Additionally, the victims are not prosecuted for violation of immigration laws and may stay and work temporarily in Thailand during the prosecution of perpetrators. 72. The delegation explained that Thailand has started the process of making child pornography a specific crime under national law. Thailand has prepared guidelines on the coordination of law enforcement agencies to protect children who are victims of sexual abuse, and regulations have been put in place by the police and the judiciary to protect the privacy of children victims and avoid their re-victimization. Corporal punishment in schools is prohibited by law and all children are entitled to be registered at birth. 73. Thailand is promoting gender equality through various measures, including the criminalization of marital rape. Thailand is also working towards changing societal, cultural and traditional attitudes in order to promote greater participation by women in political and public life. In this regard, the assumption of office of the first woman Prime Minister demonstrates Thailand’s commitment and acceptance by the society to enhance the role of women in politics. A draft Gender Equality Bill is under consideration by the Government and steps are being taken to ensure a more effective enforcement of the 2007 Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence Act. 74. The delegation recalled that child malnutrition as well as under-five mortality has been reduced in the past two decades, however, the problem still exists in some remote areas. 75. Discrimination against persons with disabilities is prohibited by the Constitution and persons with disabilities are able to file complaints with the Sub-Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities. 76. Turkey commended Thailand for its commitment to realising the right to education for all children, its progress in alleviating poverty and for addressing several aspects of the problem of human trafficking. Turkey made recommendations. 77. Switzerland expressed concern about the increased use of laws and decrees by the Thai authorities and about the problem of impunity. While recognizing the Thai tradition of hosting people seeking protection, Switzerland remained concerned that Thailand did not provide these persons with refugee status. Switzerland made recommendations. 78. Argentina welcomed Thailand’s efforts to continue working on dialogue with the civil society, with the aim of encouraging its political participation as a measure to strengthen human rights and democracy. Argentina made recommendations. 79. The Syrian Arab Republic noted that despite the challenges it faced, Thailand had made serious efforts to improve the living conditions of its people. Syria referred to efforts 11