A/HRC/17/5 72. The Maldives commended Nepal for the steps taken for improving the lives of the Nepalese people. It highlighted the fundamental freedoms in the interim Constitution. It highlighted the resource and capacity constraints of least-developed countries and noted Nepal’s international partners should remain engaged. It made recommendations. 73. Pakistan noted the role played by an independent judiciary and an A-status National Human Rights Commission. Pakistan welcomed the priority accorded to poverty eradication and the process of abolishing discriminatory laws and practices. Pakistan noted the constraints and challenges facing Nepal and made recommendations. 74. Italy welcomed the abolition of death penalty and establishment of its National Plan of Action on Women Peace and Security. Italy expressed concerns regarding arbitrary executions committed during the conflict and obstacles to freedom of religion, mainly due to the caste system. Italy made recommendations. 75. Sri Lanka congratulated Nepal on its Interim Constitution. It noted progress achieved, including in poverty alleviation. Sri Lanka encouraged Nepal to pursue policies towards economic development and to adopt and implement, in the near future, the bill for compulsory basic education. It made a recommendation. 76. Chile noted Nepal’s will to ensure human rights protection in spite of incidents after the adoption of post-conflict reforms. It noted Nepal is working on the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and investigation into disappearances, and a new Constitution. It made recommendations. 77. New Zealand raised the issue of impunity and expressed concerns regarding the small number of women in Nepal’s judiciary. It recognized the reduction of incidents of torture but noted these continue to take place. New Zealand welcomed Nepal’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. New Zealand made recommendations. 78. The Netherlands highlighted the ratification of a number of human rights treaties. It was concerned about impunity and the lack of progress in setting up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Inquiry on Disappearances as well as the situation of refugees and trafficking. It made recommendations. 79. Yemen noted Nepal’s achievements and asked whether any new challenges had emerged from its recent efforts to promote and protect human rights, and whether there was a need for further international cooperation with relevant human rights bodies and mechanisms. Yemen made a recommendation. 80. Denmark insisted on the importance of putting an end to impunity and bringing to account those on both sides of the conflict who perpetrated human rights abuses. It welcomed Nepal’s ratification of the Convention against Torture (CAT) but noted widespread use of torture, especially in police custody. Denmark made recommendations. 81. Norway welcomed the steps taken towards a more inclusive Nepalese society, expressed its full commitment to further support Nepal’s education sector, and indicated that the adoption of the new constitution within the planned timeframe would be a significant step. It made recommendations. 82. Cuba noted Nepal was affected by an unjust international economic order and crises. It noted there was a human rights component in Nepal’s policies and development plans. It highlighted actions to reduce poverty and priority given to the rights of women, children, people with disabilities and aged persons. It made recommendations. 83. Sweden noted the instances of police brutality and torture and the arrests without formal procedures and detentions -- often under poor conditions -- without charges. It noted that discrimination based on gender, caste, class, ethnicity, disability and geography 10