A/HRC/14/37 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome 629. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed Egypt’s acceptance of 119 recommendations in February 2010. It noted that Egypt had accepted three recommendations on ending the state of emergency, which was extended in May 2010, and called for their implementation. It also called for an amendment of the penal code to ensure freedom of expression for journalists, publishers and bloggers. It welcomed the efforts to promote cultural and religious tolerance and encouraged the implementation of Austria’s recommendation to increase these efforts. The delegation thanked Egypt for providing advance information on the 25 outstanding recommendations, and asked which parts of the recommendations that had been partially accepted did enjoy Egypt’s support. 630. Qatar noted that Egypt had accepted a large number of recommendations, which was a sign of its sincere and positive interaction with the universal periodic review and the United Nations human rights mechanisms, with a view to further promoting human rights in the country. While appreciating the achievements made in the area of human rights, Qatar hoped that Egypt would continue to make further progress. 631. The United Arab Emirates welcomed the acceptance by Egypt of most recommendations, which showed its readiness to cooperate with the Council with a view to promoting human rights. It highlighted Egypt’s achievements in promoting human rights principles, including with regard to eradicating illiteracy and the empowerment of women, the strengthening of systems to combat crimes against children and human trafficking and the protection of persons with disabilities. Lastly, it commended the measures taken by Egypt to promote human rights principles in conjunction with its efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. 632. Bahrain expressed its appreciation for the positive measures that Egypt had taken to implement a number of recommendations, its efforts to promote and protect human rights and its role in the work of the Council. Bahrain also appreciated the openness demonstrated by Egypt in describing the challenges that it faced in complying with its international obligations. Bahrain highlighted the importance of strengthening the right to health and the provision of health care throughout the country, and of increased efforts to ensure education for all and to spread a culture of human rights. 633. Saudi Arabia noted that the acceptance by Egypt of most recommendations demonstrated its commitment to human rights promotion and protection. The holistic approach taken towards the situation of women had resulted in a number of social support initiatives, such as the design of a strategy aimed at fighting violence against women and the withdrawal of a reservation to article 9 (2) of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Discrimination against Women. Noting that the provision of social services, such as education and health care, were considered human rights priorities, Saudi Arabia expressed its appreciation for the measures taken in that regard. 634. Algeria commended the efforts promote and protecting human rights and expressed its particular support for Egypt’s efforts to focus on certain specific issues urgently. Algeria noted that Egypt had adopted 119 recommendations in February 2010, and underscored its active role in the Council. Algeria expressed its full agreement with Egypt’s position regarding certain recommendations that had not yet been accepted, and encouraged Egypt to redouble its efforts to fulfil human rights. 635. Indonesia acknowledged Egypt’s immediate acceptance of 119 recommendations in February 2010 as proof of its commitment to the work of the Council and human rights promotion and protection. It welcomed the progress made in the empowerment of women and the protection of children’s rights, and commended Egypt’s efforts to initiate new legislation to combat and sanction human trafficking. Indonesia welcomed Egypt’s GE.12-17781 143