A/HRC/17/9 73. Jordan hoped for further progress to improve human rights and expressed concern about the human rights situation of Muslim minorities, particularly women and girls. It made recommendations. 74. New Zealand hoped that Myanmar would address the humanitarian needs of its people and engage constructively with its international human rights obligations. It also hoped for the release of all political prisoners. It remained concerned for the well-being of children, especially those recruited as child soldiers. It made recommendations. 75. Poland expressed regret that, despite constitutional provisions, the Government continued to control and restrict the practices of minority religions. It asked about allowing ethnic and religious minorities to exercise their rights. It made recommendations. 76. Bahrain welcomed Myanmar’s efforts to promote human rights. It requested information about the national plans to promote children’s rights and to achieve the MDGs and about measures established to implement the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. 77. Greece appreciated that Myanmar valued the importance of the UPR mechanism in the promotion of human rights. It encouraged Myanmar to allow for an inclusive dialogue and a full participation of all democratic actors in the political process. It made recommendations. 78. Uruguay wished that Myanmar could take a path of dialogue and welcomed Aung San Suu Kyi’s release. Uruguay hoped that the elections were the beginning of a national dialogue. It made recommendations. 79. Portugal requested information on Myanmar’s plans to unconditionally release political prisoners and to restore their political rights. Portugal asked about measures taken to tackle the situation of torture and ill-treatment in detention. Portugal raised concerns about the fact that marital rape is not recognized as a criminal offence. It made recommendations. 80. The Syrian Arab Republic highlighted Myanmar’s Seven-Step Roadmap towards democratization. It welcomed the 2010 elections and Myanmar’s efforts to promote health, education, protection of children, women’s rights and the rights of persons with disabilities. It urged for support from the international community, pointing out obstacles related to the unilateral coercive measures imposed on Myanmar. 81. Ukraine expressed its hope that the new Government would place human rights protection among its key priorities. It asked for information about the National Plan of Action. It made recommendations. 82. Denmark noted that several articles of the Constitution undermine international human rights standards, specifically freedom of expression, association and assembly; and detained persons’ rights. Denmark was concerned about the use of torture, ill-treatment and arbitrary detention of peaceful dissenters and ethnic minorities, and called for their release. It made recommendations. 83. Argentina welcomed the release of Aung San Suu Kyi as a step towards the liberation of other political prisoners and the strengthening of political participation in Myanmar. It asked about the judicial mechanisms used to investigate human rights violations. It made recommendations. 84. Norway noted Myanmar’s challenges in human rights protection, democratization and national reconciliation. Norway noted Myanmar’s cooperation with the United Nations regarding protection of child’s rights. It appreciated measures carried out to combat human trafficking, reintegrate child soldiers and combat forced labour. It made recommendations. 10