A/HRC/26/8 Human Trafficking and hoped that the bill on the subject would soon be adopted. Argentina made recommendations. 103. Australia observed that the transitional process afforded an opportunity to enhance human rights protection. It was concerned by the continued use of the death penalty, alleged violations by security forces and non-State actors and discrimination against women. Australia made recommendations. 104. Azerbaijan welcomed the measures and reforms to strengthen Yemen’s legal framework for promoting and protecting human rights, its partnerships with nongovernmental mechanisms and civil society organizations and the establishment of a United Nations human rights office in Yemen. Azerbaijan made a recommendation. 105. Bahrain welcomed the holding of the first national conference for human rights on 9 and 10 December 2012. Bahrain welcomed the adoption of a number of measures and legal reforms to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women. Bahrain made recommendations. 106. Bangladesh commended the actions to strengthen institutions by the opening of human rights offices and by the establishment of general departments for human rights, family protection and women’s advancement within several ministries. It noted the progress made in increasing female school enrolment and the development of a strategy to increase women’s participation in the labour market. 107. Belgium welcomed the strengthened cooperation with United Nations mechanisms and the efforts to promote the role of women in society. It was concerned at the use of the death penalty and called for its abolition. Belgium made recommendations. 108. Bhutan commended Yemen on the establishment of the 2011 independent commission of inquiry into human rights abuses, the measures taken to eliminate discrimination against women and the exploitation of children. It noted poverty and unemployment were major challenges. Bhutan made a recommendation. 109. Botswana was concerned about the reports of human rights violations, including restrictions on freedom of expression, religion, association and peaceful assembly, torture, amputations, domestic violence, trafficking of women and children, use of child soldiers and arbitrary detentions. Botswana made recommendations. 110. Brazil commended the efforts towards transitional stabilization, restructuring the armed forces, ensuring broad-based political participation in the National Dialogue Conference and addressing the challenges of judicial independence. It encouraged continued efforts towards women’s empowerment and financial independence and combating human trafficking. Brazil made a recommendation. 111. The head of the delegation provided clarification regarding the protection of children from unlawful recruitment or use by the armed forces or armed groups, and stated that the procedures and status of implementation were being reviewed. A ministerial committee had been established to study decisions regarding measures to prohibit the involvement of children in armed conflict. Action had been taken to determine the age of children who had been recruited. Any underage member of the armed forces would be demobilized and rehabilitated. 112. Despite increased efforts in recent years to mainstream gender in educational development programmes, a range of social, economic, cultural and other factors continued to hamper the speedy emergence of an integrated educational renaissance that would meet the demands of development and eliminate the vast and persistent gender disparities in terms of access to basic education and further education at all levels. 13