A/HRC/22/5 63. Nigeria noted with satisfaction policies put in place by the Government to improve the quality of citizens’ lives and protect their fundamental freedoms and rights. It urged Gabon to do more to protect the rights of migrants and refugees following reports by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees of humiliating treatment meted out to some refugees. 64. Norway highlighted a number of areas for improvement, such as freedom of expression, human trafficking, gender equality and protection mechanisms for victims of contemporary slavery, forced labour, sex trafficking and trafficking in organs and other body parts. It was concerned that children were being targeted in Gabon for human trafficking. Norway made recommendations. 65. Palestine welcomed the adoption of legislation on preventing child trafficking and the United Nations Plan of Action (2005–2009) for the World Programme on Human Rights Education. It commended Gabon on pursuing a more practical policy to combat discrimination against women trying to increase public awareness of the conventions it had ratified. Palestine made a recommendation. 66. The Philippines commended Gabon on the ratification of international human rights instruments and the adoption of a national strategy on equality and gender. It was encouraged by Gabon’s commitment to protecting the fundamental rights of migrant workers and their families and ensuring their fair treatment. The Philippines made recommendations. 67. Portugal particularly welcomed the abolition of the death penalty, but acknowledged that there were a number of remaining challenges, not least addressing trafficking in persons. It asked what further steps would be taken to fully implement the recently adopted legislation to combat the scourge. Portugal made recommendations. 68. The Republic of Moldova saluted progress made on gender equality, especially in the areas of women’s access to health, education and employment. It welcomed the development of new policies and legislation to protect children and improvements in legislation to help prevent the trafficking and financial exploitation of children. The Republic of Moldova made recommendations. 69. Rwanda commended Gabon on advances in human rights, particularly the abolition of the death penalty, improving access to education and school attendance, and the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission. It recognized efforts to promote and protect women’s rights, especially regarding health, education and career opportunities in politics and public administration. Rwanda made a recommendation. 70. Senegal noted Gabon’s ongoing commitment to promoting and protecting human rights and its efforts to ensure greater protection for vulnerable persons, especially women and children, by improving access to health and education and ensuring women’s participation in political life. The National Human Rights Commission would help strengthen the general human rights framework. Senegal made recommendations. 71. Singapore noted that Gabon had made good progress in several areas such as raising school attendance and reducing infant and maternal mortality. It considered education to be the key to promoting economic and social development and the better enjoyment of human rights and welcomed the Government’s emphasis on building its human capital. Singapore made recommendations. 72. Slovakia commended Gabon on the abolition of the death penalty and welcomed its ratification of key human rights instruments such as the OP-CAT, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and CPED. It also welcomed its accession to the new third Optional Protocol to the CRC on a communications procedure. Slovakia made recommendations. 10 GE.12-18722