A/HRC/13/56 560. India expressed its appreciation for the approach taken by Bhutan to the universal periodic review mechanism. The review had benefited from a wide participation by States, with 53 statements and 99 recommendations made. India was encouraged by the fact that Bhutan had accepted most recommendations made, and that it had provided detailed responses on each one. India congratulated Bhutan on its successful review and expressed confidence that Bhutan would further intensify its efforts within the next four years to implement the recommendations that it had accepted. 561. Pakistan thanked the delegation of Bhutan for the comprehensive presentation, which reaffirmed the country’s resolve to work constructively for the realization of all human rights. Pakistan noted that Bhutan had accepted the majority of the recommendations made and welcomed its frank and realistic approach to implementation. Pakistan appreciated Bhutan’s intention to establish a multisectoral task force to consider the possible ratification of specific human rights treaties, as recommended during the review process. It shared Bhutan’s views on the importance of first evaluating domestic feasibility before taking a decision to establish a national human rights institution. Pakistan expressed the hope that the international community would extend all possible assistance to Bhutan to help implement universal periodic review recommendations. 562. The United States of America commended Bhutan’s constructive engagement with the committees on the rights of the child and on the elimination of discrimination against women, as well as with regional human rights bodies, noting that these engagements had contributed to the development of legislative instruments and the principles embodied in the promotion of “gross national happiness”. The United States supported the recommendations that Bhutan should promote and protect the rights of persons belonging to the ethnic Nepalese minority. It also shared the opinion that Bhutan should enhance efforts to implement a durable solution for the refugees currently residing in seven camps in a neighbouring State, and that it resume dialogue with that State and enhance cooperation with UNHCR and the core group in order to allow some refugees of special humanitarian concern to return immediately to Bhutan. It appreciated Bhutan’s expressed commitment to women’s rights, but shared concerns expressed by several other States regarding the levels of domestic violence in the country. 563. Sri Lanka commended Bhutan’s cooperation in the universal periodic review process and noted with satisfaction that the Government had provided its views on recommendations in an addendum to the report of the Working Group. Bhutan had made significant efforts in the area of economic, social and cultural rights, consistent with its philosophy of gross national happiness, while at the same time building a strong democracy that promoted and protected civil and political rights. Sri Lanka believed that the recommendations contained in the report would facilitate the intensification of the Government’s efforts to build a harmonious society based on the principle of nondiscrimination, which had been central to all Government policies and actions. It added that, through the universal periodic review process, Bhutan had concretized its commitment to constructive engagement with the international community on human rights issues. 564. China thanked Bhutan for its presentation, which showed its commitment to effective cooperation in the universal periodic review process. It appreciated the importance that Bhutan attached to the review outcome and to seeking active feedback with a view to implementation. China welcomed Bhutan’s commitment to promoting economic, social and cultural rights and to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, including in areas such as poverty reduction and primary education. It supported the priority accorded by Bhutan to the promotion of human rights in these fields. China acknowledged the challenges faced by Bhutan, but expressed confidence that it would succeed in its efforts to implement universal periodic review recommendations with the support of the international community. 164