A/HRC/18/11 49. Singapore stressed that it had comprehensive laws protecting women. On sexual harassment, Singapore had laws that could be used to prosecute such acts in appropriate cases. On marital rape, changes had recently been made to the Penal Code to protect women whose marriages were on the verge of breakdown or had broken down. 50. Singapore reiterated its commitment to protecting religious freedom for all. No one was disadvantaged on the basis of race, language or religion. Racial and religious harmony was upheld through a combination of institutional, community-based and legal measures. 51. Singapore explained its emphasis on social security and assistance through health care, public housing, compulsory savings through the Central Provident Fund, and Workfare. It had established a Community Care Endowment Fund in 2005 to provide sustainable funding for programmes for low-income Singaporeans. That served as the final social safety net for those facing financial hardship. 52. Recognizing the challenges of an ageing population, Singapore had established a Ministerial Committee on Ageing. It was committed to ensuring employability and financial security, holistic and affordable health care and elder care, ageing-in-place, and active ageing. On disability issues, its comprehensive and multi-stakeholder 2007–2011 Enabling Masterplan emphasized early intervention, education, employment opportunities, community-based services and programmes for care-givers. 53. On migrant workers, Singapore assured that it took the well-being of migrant workers very seriously through regular reviews of legislation, effective enforcement and regular education and outreach. For example, recruitment regulations were recently tightened to reduce exploitation by employment agencies. Employers were also required to provide proper housing, adequate rest and medical treatment and pay promised salaries. These efforts were coordinated by a ministerial steering committee. Specific measures to address the vulnerability of migrant domestic workers included higher maximum penalties under the Penal Code, and extensive coverage of rights under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, taking into account the particular working conditions of migrant workers. 54. On restricting foreign domestic workers from marrying Singaporeans and requiring regular medical examinations, given its space constraints, Singapore could not afford to absorb large numbers of migrants on a permanent basis. Migrant workers were provided with the full legal protection they needed to earn a living. However, most migrant workers were aware that they went to Singapore to work, and not to put down roots or settle down for good. 55. Singapore expressed its commitment to combating trafficking in persons, highlighting its four ‘P’ approach – effective prevention, active prosecution, victim protection and proactive problem-solving with foreign counterparts and NGOs. In particular, Singapore clarified that trafficking victims were not prosecuted for immigration or other offences. Procedures were in place to determine whether the individual was a trafficking victim. If so, they would be assisted by a dedicated unit specially trained to identify and help victims of sex trafficking. Singapore had set up an inter-agency taskforce to develop a national plan of action and was exploring accession to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. 56. Kazakhstan noted achievements made by Singapore in ensuring stability, equality and social justice and referred to its priority of maintaining racial and religious harmony. It commended Singapore for encouraging active citizenry and launching a government agency in that regard. It also commended Singapore for abiding by its treaty commitments. Kazakhstan made a recommendation. 9