A/HRC/28/10 54. Norway commended efforts to reform the prison system and the adoption of a national preventive mechanism against torture. It expressed concern about deterioration of freedom of speech, particularly restrictions on independent media and further criminalization of libel. Norway made recommendations. 55. Pakistan welcomed efforts to promote gender equality, especially in public life, and the enactment of legislation on combating domestic violence. It noted Kazakhstan’s commitment to the prevention of tuberculosis. Pakistan made recommendations. 56. The Philippines acknowledged efforts to provide high-quality health care for all, and progress in achieving universal primary and secondary education and in combating domestic violence. It welcomed the adoption of the national plan on human trafficking. It made recommendations. 57. The delegation noted that no one religion dominated in Kazakhstan, that religions were not separated as being either traditional or non-traditional and that all religions received equal treatment and protection under the law. The registration process for religious groups was simple and the Act on Religious Activities and Religious Associations complied with international standards and did not infringe on the rights of any faith. Following the 2014 visit by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, who had taken positive note of the regulation of religious activities, consultations were being held with experts on amendments to the Religious Activities Act. 58. The delegation stated that Kazakhstan was party to various instruments to protect children’s rights. Legislation provided protection, in particular to vulnerable children, while an inter-agency system protected neglected children from violence and ill-treatment. A Committee for the Protection of Children’s Rights supported the inter-agency provision of social, medical, legal and other services for children. The new Criminal Code established criminal liability for the sexual or economic exploitation of children, kidnapping or trafficking of children and for violence perpetrated against children. A lifetime ban on working with children was imposed on persons who had been convicted of sexual offences against children. Kazakhstan had achieved Goal 2 on achieving universal primary education. Furthermore, it enjoyed high levels of literacy and had launched a State programme to develop education that would ensure high quality instruction throughout the country. The children of immigrants enjoyed the same rights to secondary, technical and tertiary education as Kazakh citizens. Levels of female participation in education were high, with gender parity visible throughout the education system and high numbers of female teachers in secondary schools. 59. The delegation stated that the new Criminal Code was intended to increase public confidence in the justice system, extend the powers of the court and reduce the prison population. New categories for offences should serve to prevent crime and two new chapters provided for medical crimes and computer-related crimes. Persons convicted of corruption were banned from holding official State positions. Alternative measures to deprivation of liberty were emphasized, while the penalties for dangerous crimes had been toughened. 60. Regarding the questions on defamation, the delegation stated that a defamation case could only be launched at the request of a citizen. Although defamation was addressed by the Criminal Code, proceedings were akin to civil cases and the public prosecutor played no role in such cases. The process of launching a case had been simplified, in order to protect citizen’s rights and guarantee that cases could be dealt with more quickly and thoroughly. 61. The rights and responsibilities of detainees were read aloud to them on arrest and evidence obtained from a person whose detention had not complied with procedures was inadmissible. Cooperation and plea deals had been introduced, along with various limitations on criminal proceedings. Citizens’ rights and freedoms were protected by two8