A/HRC/19/8 promotion and protection of the rights of children, women, persons with disabilities and older persons. Cuba made recommendations. 23. China welcomed Thailand’s formulation of its Second National Human Rights Action Plan. China appreciated Thailand’s realisation of Millennium Development Goal 1; the considerable attention given to health, education, protection of the rights of children, women, the elderly and migrant workers and efforts to combat human trafficking. China noted that Thailand still faced challenges and hoped that the international community would assist Thailand in its capacity building. 24. Myanmar acknowledged Thailand’s efforts to put in place a human rights complaints mechanism to strengthen the effectiveness of its monitoring systems. It commended Thailand for the steps taken to ensure the promotion and protection of the rights of migrant workers, including the Nationality Verification Process. Myanmar made a recommendation. 25. Indonesia commended Thailand’s development agenda which mainly ensures justice for the poor and underprivileged, and reduces the inequality gap as recommended by the National Reform Committee and Assembly. Indonesia applauded Thailand’s human rights commitment and progress in the elaboration of human rights legislation. It noted the role of civil society, entrepreneurs and media in promoting and protecting human rights. Indonesia made recommendations. 26. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, while expressing its appreciation for the smooth government transition, urged Thailand to ensure that legal and institutional frameworks were effective to protect human rights. It was particularly concerned about the use of law to control the right to freedom of expression. It expressed its strong support for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and hoped that the situation in Southern Thailand would improve. It made recommendations. 27. Algeria congratulated Thailand for the successful election held recently and encouraged it to move along the path of reconciliation. Algeria noted that Thailand was committed to the right to development and underscored the importance paid to the advancement of the role of women in public life. Algeria made recommendations. 28. France indicated that the laws of lese-majesty and computer crimes were applied in an excessive manner that limited the freedom of expression and information. It noted with concern that the decrees of exception were still in force and were the cause of numerous human rights violations. It regretted that Thailand had maintained the death penalty. France underlined that the situation of Rohingyas was particularly alarming. It made recommendations. 29. Slovenia commended Thailand’s commitment to promote and protect human rights, mentioning human rights education and training. It welcomed Thailand’s engagement regarding the rights of children, noting the withdrawal of the reservation to article 7 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Slovenia acknowledged the need to improve many areas of human rights protection and Thailand’s plan to address them. Slovenia made recommendations. 30. Japan expressed appreciation for Thailand’s excellent leadership in terms of human rights during its ASEAN presidency. Japan welcomed the countermeasures being taken to address the issue of human trafficking and the recognition of the remaining law enforcement challenges. Japan commended Thailand for the protection and promotion of human rights of displaced persons and expected that it would continue to take measures to foster the self-reliance of displaced persons. Japan made recommendations. 31. Austria welcomed Thailand’s reforms of the administration of justice, access to justice and torture prohibition. Austria expressed concerns about impunity for the acts of 6