A/HRC/42/11 24. Azerbaijan noted the establishment of special committees, and welcomed the adoption of the long-term development framework under Brunei Vision 2035 and the improvements in the area of poverty. 25. Bahamas valued the State’s commitment to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, the access to clean water and the development of a senior citizens’ action plan on ageing and health, while recognizing that more remained to be done. 26. Bahrain welcomed the measures taken within the framework of human rights, conceived from the vision of Brunei Vision 2035, especially those relating to fighting poverty, the development of a trust fund and the supplementary pension scheme. 27. Bangladesh commended the progress made in promoting the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities, the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the efforts made to promote traditional family values. 28. Belarus noted with satisfaction the State’s success in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and highlighted the policy to encourage culture and religious tolerance and to support the institution of the family. 29. Belgium welcomed the State’s announcement that it would ratify the Convention against Torture, and emphasized that further progress could be made to increase the protection of human rights, in line with the core international human rights treaties. 30. Bhutan welcomed Brunei Vision 2035, and appreciated the initiatives to promote the rights of women and children, and the achievements in the field of education. 31. The Plurinational State of Bolivia highlighted the progress made with regard to the Sustainable Development Goals and equality through policies that empowered low-income people and promoted economic inclusion, regardless of gender, race or religion. 32. Brazil encouraged the State to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Convection on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention against Torture, and expressed concern at the restrictive interpretation of sharia law, which imposed cruel and inhuman forms of punishment, urging the State to reverse them, through legislative reform. 33. Bulgaria observed the process of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the elimination of poverty, attaining zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, and gender equality, but expressed concern at the State’s decision to fully implement the Syariah Penal Code Order 2013. 34. Cambodia noted the State’s commitment to strengthen democracy and human rights principles, and commended its achievements in education, health care and living standards. 35. Canada was seriously concerned that the State was moving towards increasingly inhumane treatment of citizens and non-citizens found guilty of certain crimes through the Syariah court. 36. Chile applauded the approval of the national development framework, Brunei Vision 2035, and the progress in education and the development of human capital. It expressed its concern, however, at the fact that children could be sentenced to corporal punishment and life imprisonment. 37. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela appreciated the Brunei Vision 2035 programme. It noted the progress made in housing, water and sanitation, and in improving social protection networks, and the emphasis on vulnerable groups. 38. Costa Rica was pleased to note that the State had decided to withdraw its reservations with regard to certain articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and welcomed its ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the involvement of children in armed conflict. 39. Croatia commended the announced future ratification of the Convention against Torture and the de facto moratorium on capital punishment, although it expressed its 5

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