A/HRC/24/12 53. Uzbekistan noted Bangladesh progress in protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms; and wide reforms to the legislative, institutional and political mechanisms on human rights. 54. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela noted that Government action had reduced poverty by 8.5 per cent in just four years. It also noted the implementation of the National Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking. 55. Viet Nam appreciated Bangladesh’s commitment to protect democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and its achievements in promoting equality, poverty reduction and health care, in spite of challenges. 56. Yemen congratulated Bangladesh for improving its human rights and for legislating to strengthen political, social, civil and economic rights, especially of women, children and ethnic minorities. Bangladesh’s national policies demonstrated its upholding of international commitments. 57. Zimbabwe noted (a) Bangladesh’s efforts to protect human rights; (b) laws addressing the marginalized population rights; (c) policies on education, child labour elimination, children and women rights; and (d) access to justice measures. 58. Afghanistan noted the establishment of new Independent Commissions, the ratification of international conventions and new legislation to enhance civil, political, economic and cultural rights of its people. It commended Bangladesh for taking measures in regard to freedom of media, expression and assembly, fighting terrorism and protecting vulnerable groups. 59. Algeria noted adoption of laws on the right to information, prevention of domestic violence and cultural institutions for small ethnic groups. Algeria wished to know about the measures taken by the Government in view of strengthening of good governance and transparency. 60. Argentina congratulated Bangladesh for ratifying the Rome Statute and highlighted the creation of the National Legal Aid Services Organization. 61. The Minister appreciated the acknowledgment of her Government’s achievements and development model by States while also recognizing the challenges and limitations. 62. The Minister responded that children under 18 years of age were outside the jurisdiction of the death penalty. The draft National Children Act addressed the issue of minimum age for criminal responsibility. She said the death penalty was not unique to Bangladesh and its application was restricted to the most serious and heinous crimes under due legal process and judicial safeguards. Bangladesh maintained an extremely low rate of death sentences, and with provision for parole. 63. The Minister reiterated that extrajudicial killing was not permitted by law and as per Penal Code, LEAs could resort to use of force or firearms only for self-defence and protection of public life and property. She said LEAs had to justify use of force or firearms as the means of last resort. She reported that the number of deaths during exchange of fire had been reduced by a large margin to 177 during 2009–2012 from 546 during the preceding five years, and that such deaths were only 0.34 per cent of total number of arrests. 64. The Minister said there was no scope for impunity for LEAs under Bangladeshi laws and the Codes of Conduct and Rules of Engagement of the concerned LEAs. Any incident of human rights violation or use of excessive or firearms was subject to investigation, prosecution, legal and disciplinary actions. The Minister reported that 1,678 Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members had so far been subjected to prosecution and conviction, including imprisonment and dismissal. 8