A/HRC/21/5 political changes would help to overcome challenges and further open up society through a national dialogue. 11. Last week, Tunisia had signed an agreement with OHCHR and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the support of the judiciary reform and transitional justice. The experience of others could help Tunisia in efforts to overcome its difficulties, and cooperation and solidarity would strengthen economic and social development as well as the democratic process. In this spirit, Tunisia welcomed all interventions and recommendations, from which it could only benefit at this delicate stage of its democratic transition. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 12. During the interactive dialogue, 76 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 13. Poland acknowledged the determination of Tunisia to preserve gender equality achievements, citing particularly the declaration of the ruling party Ennahda that it would promote and protect women’s rights. Poland made recommendations. 14. Portugal welcomed Tunisia’s commitment to the consolidation of the transition to democracy and respect of human rights, particularly the creation of the Ministry of Human Rights and Transitional Justice as well as the ratification of OP-CAT and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Portugal enquired whether Tunisia intended to amend legal provisions, including provisions to repeal the death penalty in the penal code. Portugal made recommendations. 15. Qatar recognized Tunisia’s efforts to implement recommendations from the first UPR. It commended Tunisia’s progress on the promotion and protection of human rights, particularly its cooperation with OHCHR and the decision to open an OHCHR country office in July 2011. Qatar made two recommendations. 16. The Republic of Korea welcomed progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights, particularly withdrawal of reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). It appreciated the release of political prisoners and efforts made to provide accountability for past human rights violations. It made recommendations. 17. Romania noted with satisfaction Tunisia’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Romania highlighted the fact that Tunisia was a co-sponsor and made an important contribution to the adoption of the Council’s resolution on human rights, democracy and the primacy of law. Romania welcomed the Government policy that promotes the teaching of human rights in higher education, urging Tunisia to elaborate on the specific measures to implement this policy. 18. Saudi Arabia commended the many measures adopted to promote human rights in this important period in the history of Tunisia. Saudi Arabia acknowledged the establishment of the Ministry for Human Rights and Transitional Justice and the strengthening of mechanisms for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and reforms made in judicial and security systems. Saudi Arabia made one recommendation. 19. Senegal noted encouraging progress made with respect to the normative and institutional context through the ratification of several international human rights instruments and the opening in July 2011 of an office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights. Senegal commended provisions made for the improvement of civil and political rights. Senegal made recommendations. 5