A/HRC/15/15 Islamic religion, the Constitution, the legislative framework and the universality of human rights principles. 39. Kuwait, as an Islamic State, applied the death penalty, among other punishments. It was applied in the most restrained and restricted manner and only for the most heinous and dangerous crimes. It was considered a deterrent to such crimes and was aimed at ensuring the safety of society. It was applied only after respect for all the guarantees and safeguards of due process of law and fair trial had been ensured at all levels. The death sentence was not applied to persons younger than 18 or women who had just given birth. Capital punishment was carried out only after the ratification of the Emir of Kuwait, who had the right to commute the sentence. The last death sentence carried out in Kuwait had been in 2007. 40. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) acknowledged important efforts to promote and protect human rights, in particular in the areas of health care and sanitation, through a welldeveloped network of public hospitals and specialized medical centres. It noted the important allocation of resources from its general budget for health care. Venezuela made a recommendation. 41. Morocco paid tribute to the Government for its efforts to advance human rights and achieve social prosperity for the people of Kuwait, It noted efforts to promote and protect economic and social rights as well as democracy and highlighted the importance of the efforts made in providing assistance to other countries, which exceeded the internationally agreed percentage of its Gross Domestic Product. It commended Kuwait’s cooperation with Morocco and welcomed the establishment of the Fund for supporting small and mediumsized enterprises. Morocco made recommendations. 42. Pakistan made reference to the inclusive process for the preparation of the national report. Pakistan emphasized the important role of an independent judiciary in advancing the human rights agenda, and indicated that it was encouraging to note that the courts in Kuwait were playing an important role in guaranteeing the observance and protection of human rights. Pakistan greatly appreciated the Kuwaiti contribution to the sustainable development agenda at the international level. Pakistan made recommendations. 43. Hungary commended Kuwait for being a party to many core human rights treaties, but noted that there had been delays in the country’s collaboration with treaty bodies. Hungary welcomed Kuwait’s adoption of the new Labour Code, which provided more transparent regulations regarding the treatment of foreign workers. Hungary commended Kuwait for its plans to overhaul the current “sponsorship” system with the assistance of, inter alia, ILO experts. Hungary made recommendations. 44. China noted with appreciation that, in recent years, Kuwait had acceded to most international human rights instruments and actively participated in the drafting of the 20002014 Arab education plan. It also noted that, according to the 2009 report of UNDP, Kuwait was a pioneer in education among the Arab States. China made recommendations. 45. Azerbaijan believed that the establishment of the Women’s Affairs Committee, the Supreme Human Rights Committee and the National Standing Committee on International Humanitarian Law would further contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights. Azerbaijan asked about achievements and challenges in the implementation of the National Plan for Human Rights Education. It encouraged Kuwait to address concerns raised by some treaty bodies, such as the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Azerbaijan made recommendations. 46. Kazakhstan noted that Kuwait could take further steps to elevate and promote the social and political status of women. It welcomed the fact that Kuwait had acceded to most 8