A/HRC/11/29 Page 14 66. Japan noted the ratification of human rights instruments, the holding of democratic elections, the promotion of women’s rights and social advancement, and the accommodation of Palestinian and Iraqi refugees. Japan recommended (a) considering establishing a legal framework for the protection of refugees and applicants for asylum, as well as becoming a State party to the related instruments; (b) considering amendment of the Jordanian Nationality Act with respect to the right of children to a nationality, as the law currently does not allow a Jordanian mother married to a non-Jordanian man to confer her nationality to her children. Japan expressed concern regarding reports of forced confessions and violence perpetrated by detention officers, the lack of neutrality when bringing them to justice and offences tried within a special court for security services. 67. Sweden noted reports of torture by police and prison authorities. While recognizing the ratification of CAT, the visit of the Special Rapporteur and legislative attempts, it recommended the Government (a) continue and strengthen its efforts with a view to completely stem this practice and ensure that detainees have access to effective legal remedy and (b) take steps to enable accession to OP-CAT. Sweden noted the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women regarding discrimination against women and expressed concern regarding honour killings, discriminatory family and inheritance legislation and the situation of foreign women employed as domestic workers. While noting efforts and the new legislation initiated to promote the status of women, Sweden recommended the Government (c) continue looking into this question with a view to ensuring that violence and all sorts of discrimination against women are effectively eliminated in line with international standards. 68. Bhutan commended Jordan’s commitment to improving the lives of the most vulnerable through advocacy, support and cooperation at the highest levels of the State. It commended the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights and the achievements in the area of povertyreduction, Jordan being on track to achieve MDG 1. Noting reports of regional and gender disparities and the potential risk of segments of the near-poor falling below the poverty line, it recommended that the Jordanian Government (a) continue to implement and strengthen its Poverty Alleviation Strategy and other programmes for poverty-reduction, in order to build upon progress achieved thus far, and to bridge any existing regional and gender disparities. While noting the well-developed health care system and the universal access to basic education, Bhutan recommended Jordan (b) consider stepping up these positive efforts through greater investment in the health sector to strengthen existing services and (c) consolidate and continue taking measures to reinforce enrolment and retention rates in secondary education. 69. Turkey recommended Jordan (a) consider withdrawing its reservations to a number of articles of CEDAW, and also consider ratifying its Optional Protocol. Sharing the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Turkey also recommended that Jordan (b) continue to address the problems faced by the girl child and the suggestions by the Committee that local, religious and other leaders should take a more active role in supporting the efforts to prevent and eliminate discrimination against the girl child. It welcomed the reform process to combat torture and ill-treatment, including the amendment of the Criminal Code and the prosecution and punishment of a number of officials, and recommended that Jordan (c) continue its efforts in this field. It requested information about the new Assembly Law. 70. Italy expressed concern regarding honour killings and recommended Jordan (a) consider amending articles 98 and 340 of its Criminal Code in order to abolish all kinds of legal protection for perpetrators of honour killings. It noted the adoption of the Societies Law and recommended Jordan (b) consider amending recent legislation concerning NGOs in order to