A/HRC/13/2 Page 7 27. Turkey stated that the 1997 Constitution upholds the rule of law and provides a solid basis for the protection of human rights. It encouraged Eritrea to pursue its efforts to implement the Constitution and commended its cooperation with the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. It further encouraged Eritrea to accede to other international conventions and to cooperate with the Special Rapporteurs on freedom of opinion and expression and on freedom of religion or belief. Turkey encouraged Eritrea to continue to combat female genital mutilation and wished to have Eritrea’s views on capacity building in human rights. Turkey made recommendations. 28. Sweden welcomed the constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of expression and allowing persons deprived of their liberty to have their cases heard by a court. It mentioned that widespread violations of freedom of expression are reported and that several journalists, among others, remain in detention without being heard by a court. Sweden stated that only the ruling party is able to act in Eritrea while persons involved in political issues are often harassed. Sweden commended Eritrea for having abolished female genital mutilation but expressed concerns regarding labour rights and women’s and children’s rights as well as freedom of religion or belief, among other issues Sweden made several recommendations. 29. Canada recognized the Eritrean Government’s efforts to increase the level of representation of women in the national Parliament and its progress in increasing enrolment rates and gender equality in primary schools. Canada noted that Eritrea adopted a Constitution in 1997 which grants various freedoms and human rights safeguards, and welcomed the passing of the law banning female genital mutilation. Canada was concerned about, inter alia, restrictions on freedom of expression, religion, belief and assembly; criminalization of sexual activity between consenting adults of the same sex; arbitrary detention, torture and deaths in custody; and detainees’ lack of access to adequate food, health care and basic services. Canada made a number of recommendations. 30. Egypt thanked Eritrea for its national report, which reflected both steps undertaken and challenges faced for the protection of human rights. Egypt commended Eritrea for its concrete results notably regarding the launch of the early childhood development programme, its commitment to combating female genital mutilation and the advocacy work carried out by the National Union of Eritrean Women and the initiatives to combat sexual exploitation of children. Egypt made several recommendations. 31. The United Arab Emirates noted that the Eritrean national report was drafted through a large national consultation. It also took note with satisfaction of the efforts made by Eritrea on the protection of children’s and women’s rights. 32. Brazil asked Eritrea to comment on the difficulties it faced in submitting its national report in a timely manner and recalled that it was ready to collaborate with developing countries in that regard. Brazil acknowledged that Eritrea is party to the core human rights instruments and that the national legislation provides for the protection of human rights but noted with concern numerous accounts of human rights violations. It asked for comments on efforts being made to strengthen the rule of law. Brazil commended Eritrea for its positive actions relating to education but expressed concern over the fact that all graduate university courses have been virtually shut. Brazil commended Eritrea for its policy relating to HIV/AIDS and asked for further elaboration on the situation. Brazil made several recommendations.