A/HRC/14/37 efforts to promote and protect human rights, in particular of women and children, as well as for its constructive participation in the review. While welcoming the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the progress made in the promotion of gender equality and the emancipation of women in Qatar, it highlighted that much remained to be done. It recommended the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and encouraged Qatar to implement the economic, social and cultural rights of women in the country. 230. Action internationale pour la paix et le développement dans la région des Grands Lacs welcomed the progress made in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, which addressed key human rights issues in the areas of health, environment, expatriate workers, women’s empowerment, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. A series of international conferences had been hosted by Qatar on democracy, human rights, peace and trade. A number of centres had been established to promote interfaith dialogue and press freedom. It called on the Council to assist Qatar to include the crime of torture and appropriate penalties in its legislation, and to consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. 231. The Al Hakim Foundation underscored Qatar’s positive engagement with the Council’s mechanisms, and commended Qatar for hosting the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region. It congratulated Qatar on its leading role in the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and welcomed the establishment of international centres to build a culture of dialogue, democracy and peaceful coexistence. It hoped that Qatar would reconsider the recommendations that had not been accepted, and would commit greater resources to combat domestic violence, promote the rights of children and reconsider the sponsorship system governing foreign workers. 232. Comité internationale pour le respect et l’application de la Charte Africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples acknowledged Qatar’s determination to make the promotion and protection of human rights a non-negotiable priority. It highlighted the legislative measures taken to ensure improved protection of migrant workers, persons with disabilities, women and children, as well as freedom of religion, expression and association. Qatar’s contribution to establishing peace and security in many countries had been unanimously recognized by the international community. Qatar’s significant contribution to humanitarian aid programmes in Africa and other regions was also mentioned. 233. Amnesty International welcomed Qatar’s support for recommendations to consider ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and urged Qatar to do so without delay and without reservations. It encouraged Qatar to repeal provisions that criminalize legitimate forms of freedom of expression, and those that punish blasphemy and consensual “illicit sexual relations”. Amnesty International called on Qatar to reconsider its position regarding the rejection of recommendations to review and repeal laws that discriminate against women, and to establish an official moratorium on the use of the death penalty with a view to its abolition. It urged Qatar to ensure an end to the use of arbitrary detention without charge and trial, including in the context of counter-terrorism and public security. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 234. The delegation expressed its gratitude and appreciation to all States and stakeholders for their valuable observations and comments. It stressed that all the comments and observations would be taken into consideration. It renewed Qatar’s commitment to further its cooperation and consultation with all United Nations human rights mechanisms and its support for the Council. GE.12-17781 83