A/HRC/16/2 685. Remaining recommendations related to Mauritania’s accession to international human rights instruments, withdrawal of reservations, combating trafficking in persons and discrimination against women, the rights of children and the disabled, and the abolition of capital punishment. Mauritania reviewed all pending recommendations and indicated its position in the addendum to its report to the Working Group. 686. Mauritania reiterated its continuous work to abide by all ratified international instruments and its readiness to continue positive interaction and to respond to any questions on the remaining recommendations. 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Human Rights Council on the review outcome 687. Algeria welcomed Mauritania’s acceptance of the recommendations it had made regarding the national human rights institution, the possibility of looking into the abolition of capital punishment, all recommendations concerning women’s rights and raising awareness of the role of women in society, as well as alleviating poverty. It noted the comprehensive work done at the political level and commended Mauritania for several elections that had been held in a fair and transparent manner. 688. Saudi Arabia highlighted Mauritania’s acceptance of most recommendations. It noted Mauritania’s cooperation with human rights mechanisms and the international community, and welcomed the fact that it strove to ensure the realization of human rights for its people despite many difficulties. Saudi Arabia commended the efforts made to spread a human rights culture through human rights education and the integration of human rights into development strategies, particularly those concerning women and children. It supported Mauritania’s efforts to develop relevant laws and institutions. 689. Oman appreciated Mauritania’s firm cooperation during the universal periodic review, as demonstrated by the transparent discussion of the national report during the interactive dialogue. It also noted that acceptance of a large number of recommendations and their implementation showed Mauritania’s commitment to the universal periodic review. 690. Senegal noted that Mauritania had accepted many recommendations regarding the promotion of women’s and children’s rights, including three recommendations made by Senegal. It welcomed Mauritania’s acceptance of recommendations concerning the eradication of slavery and the fight against trafficking in persons. Senegal highlighted the opening of the OHCHR office in Mauritania as reflecting the authorities’ commitment to work for human rights. 691. Sri Lanka noted that the people of Mauritania had chosen the Islamic, indivisible, democratic and social republic as system of government. It welcomed the steps aimed at withdrawing Mauritania’s general reservation to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and its cooperation with special procedures. It commended the 2003 accession to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families and welcomed the fact that education had been made compulsory for children aged between 6 and 14. Sri Lanka noted Mauritania’s constructive engagement with the universal periodic review and commended it for having implemented or for implementing 24 recommendations. 692. Bahrain stated that the number of recommendations that Mauritania had accepted reflected its readiness to give new impetus to human rights development and cooperation with human rights mechanisms. It appreciated Mauritania’s acceptance and implementation of a number of recommendations, including Bahrain’s recommendation on pursuing efforts to advance the situation of women and mainstreaming women’s and children’s needs into GE.11-17059 203