A/HRC/42/11 16. Taking care of the elderly was an integral part of the social and cultural values of Brunei society where, thanks to the extended family system, long-term senior citizens homes were not regarded as a necessity. The Government provided monthly pensions and allowances to senior citizens to supplement their livelihood. Local non-governmental organizations were engaged in revising the Senior Citizens Action Plan and establishing senior citizens’ activity centres to empower and encourage elderly persons to practice a healthy lifestyle and to promote active aging. 17. Several programmes had been implemented to ensure the protection of the welfare of persons with disabilities. Monthly pensions and allowances were provided for them and their dependents to supplement their livelihood. They were also provided with opportunities to participate actively in all aspects of society, including in national development. A revised building law now catered for the needs of persons with disabilities, while a centralized database on their status of employment was being developed. 18. As a small Islamic country for which the tenets and laws of Islam had for centuries been a way of life, interwoven into the very fabric of culture and society, Brunei Darussalam has been successful in improving and advancing the lives of its people. It was determined to continue to develop the country while respecting the principles of its national religion. It would also continue to uphold the tradition, culture and moral values that had been the core foundation of peace and harmony that the people of Brunei Darussalam had cherished for many centuries. 19. The country had a dual legal system, based on the common law that it inherited from the British and Islamic law, which had worked in tandem for many years. This unique judiciary system ensured due process and upheld the principles of fairness and justice. It also afforded society with protection from crime, and preserved societal morality and decency. 20. The Syariah Penal Code Order did not criminalize a person’s status based on sexual orientation or belief, nor did it victimize persons. Brunei laws continued to protect the morality and decency of the public, while respecting the privacy of individuals. The people of Brunei Darussalam had, regardless of their sexual orientation, continued to live and to pursue their activities in their own private space. There was no discrimination against citizens or permanent residents in any way in their access to services, such as employment, education and health care. 21. Brunei Darussalam would continue to be a responsible member of the international community. It would continue to uphold its obligations and adhere to the international treaties to which it was a party, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; and Convention on the Rights of the Child. Brunei Darussalam had also signed the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 2015, and was currently working on the steps towards its ratification. For decades, Brunei Darussalam had practised a de facto moratorium on the death penalty for cases under the common law; as recently clarified, the moratorium would also be applied to cases under the Syariah Penal Code Order. 22. As the Government continued to protect the welfare of its citizens and to strive for the continued progress and prosperity of the people, the importance of human rights would remain on the national agenda. Brunei Darussalam and its people did not promote or condone violence of any kind, and anyone who had lived in the country could testify that there was no torture or cruelty against any individuals or groups. The State would continue to strongly condemn acts of extremism and terrorism in all their forms, whether they were committed in the region or internationally. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 23. During the interactive dialogue, 91 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 4