A/HRC/11/25* and the accessibility improvements witnessed during the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics. 86. Austria noted that the Constitution does not only guarantee human rights to ethnic minorities, but also special preferential policies, particularly autonomy. It recommended to the Government, (a) in accordance with the Chinese constitution to allow ethnic minorities to fully exercise their human rights, to preserve their cultural identity and to ensure their participation in decision-making. It noted that these issues should be addressed in the National Human Rights Action Plan. Austria welcomed the new authority of the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) to review death penalty cases and (b) recommended further reducing the applicability of the death penalty, in particular for non-violent crimes, and to provide statistics on the number of death sentences as well as on the SPC review procedure (how many cases are returned for retrial; in how many cases are defendants heard by the SPC). It further recommended (c) ratifying the ICCPR. Austria welcomed the cooperation with the OHCHR and recommended (d) renewing the MoU without further delay to intensify technical assistance and advisory services in the field of human rights, noting that as a first step a human rights advisor could be placed with the United Nations Resident Coordinator. It also recommended further (e) strengthening cooperation through open invitations to Special Procedures and also (f) follow up to UPR. 87. Qatar expressed appreciation for China’s developments and efforts, especially in protection and promotion of economic and social rights, particularly the rights to development, work and social security, housing, education and health. It welcomed information in the national report on difficulties and challenges and the future objectives and initiatives to overcome them. Appreciating accomplishments in the promotion and protection of the rights of the child and welcoming ratification of the OP-CRC-AC, it recommended (a) attaching more importance to protection of the rights of the child through national plans for economic and social development. It asked about plans and programmes proposed to promote the culture of human rights among local government officials. 88. Pakistan stated that China does not require external advice on securing the rights of its people as it has taken concrete steps to build the future of its people. It said that the tendency to politicize the UPR must be guarded against, noting comments about the Tibet Autonomous Region, which it said reflect political agendas and not an objective appreciation of the situation in Tibet, which it said is an inalienable part of China and is so recognised by the entire international community. Pakistan commented that the criminal violence in Tibet last year had disturbing links to external perpetrators with ulterior motives and the local government took measures to provide security to all Tibetans. It noted that the Chinese Government abided by its international human rights obligations and domestic laws. The legitimate rights and interests of the provocateurs were fully protected and the accused were given full legal assistance. It understood that the perpetrators causing minor disturbances had been released. It hoped the region would maintain stability, enjoy further development and that external interference would cease. It noted the tremendous developments in China, and that China’s accomplishment for its people in a few decades is without parallel and it bears a lesson for all. 89. Venezuela commended the fact that the Government of China attached the same importance to economic, social and cultural rights with respect to other human rights, including the right to development. It noted the major efforts that the Government has taken to reduce poverty and said it was impressed that from 250 million persons in poverty 30 years ago, now only 14 million remain in this situation, meeting the goals set out by the United Nations in MDGs. Venezuela encouraged China to continue its work in the area of poverty reduction. It asked about China’s successful economic and social development plans that have been formulated and applied by the Government and about projects and future plans to increase living standards and social progress of the Chinese population. GE.09-16299 21