A/HRC/17/2 children’s rights and access to health and education. It welcomed the fact that Namibia had only rejected a limited number of recommendations. It was appreciative that Namibia had accepted two of its recommendations, and pointed out that it had also recommended accession to the International Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families. It respected Namibia’s decision on the latter recommendation, and had no doubt that Namibia would continue to engage in favour of this vulnerable group. 571. South Africa commended Namibia for its constructive approach to the universal periodic review process and for its positive consideration of a large number of recommendations, as well as for having accepted those made by South Africa. It particularly commended the acceptance of those recommendations on the rights of children and women and of those addressing gender-based violence. It was confident that Namibia would maintain its commitment to human rights and continue the constructive steps to improve its human rights situation, despite its resource and capacity challenges. It encouraged the international community to provide the required technical assistance and capacity-building for the implementation and follow-up of recommendations. 572. Morocco noted Namibia’s political will and serious engagement with the universal periodic review and the country’s democratic tradition since independence, making it a model to be followed in the African continent. It highlighted that only three recommendations had not received the support of Namibia, for objective reasons that Morocco fully understood. It thanked Namibia for having accepted four recommendations made by Morocco. The universal periodic review had allowed the Human Rights Council to observe Namibia’s efforts to achieve rehabilitation after apartheid. It supported Namibia’s efforts and the measures taken to achieve its objectives, at both the judicial and institutional levels. It reiterated its appreciation for the work of the ombudsman in Namibia. 573. Nigeria congratulated Namibia and praised it for having accepted a substantial number of recommendations. It was an indication of Namibia’s willingness to continue to cooperate with United Nations mechanisms in its efforts to meet its human rights obligations. Nigeria called on Namibia to continue its work in this direction. It appealed to the international community to continue to support Namibia’s efforts in the consolidation of its programmes and policies aimed at protecting human rights and wished Namibia success in its future endeavours. 574. Lesotho thanked Namibia for its openness and constructive participation, and had no doubt that Namibia had done much for the protection of human rights. It was encouraged that Namibia had accepted most recommendations, including those made by Lesotho, and made reference to pursuing its impressive policies towards gender equality, particularly the measures taken to eradicate gender-based violence. It encouraged Namibia to continue its efforts. Lesotho called on the international community to provide urgently the technical and financial assistance needed by Namibia. 575. Zimbabwe congratulated Namibia on its primary and pivotal human rights-centred policy, noting its acceptance of most of the recommendations made. It praised Namibia’s voluntary commitments and expressed pride in Namibia’s people-centred development programmes. It requested the international community to mobilize assistance for Namibia in areas they prioritize with respect to the protection of human rights. 576. Zambia commended Namibia’s efforts to put in place frameworks to protect human rights. Namibia had accepted the recommendation to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and a draft bill to criminalize torture was soon to be presented for consideration. It urged Namibia to expedite this commendable process. It also commended Namibia’s efforts to combat violence against women and children, welcomed the establishment of women and child protection units in Namibia’s 13 regions, and noted the launch of the campaign against trafficking. It was dissatisfied with Namibia’s 170 GE.12-13630