A/HRC/11/23 Page 11 54. Finland asked Saudi Arabia to provide information on their plans and measures to ensure full participation rights for women in the public sphere. Finland recommended that Saudi Arabia a) take further steps in enabling fuller participation of women in public life by guaranteeing women and girls their right to education, employment, freedom of movement, marriage with their free and full consent and health, including protection from and redress for family violence; b) withdraw its reservations concerning CEDAW. Finland welcomed efforts to promote dialogue between religions; however it noted that the public and private exercise of religions other than Islam continues to be prohibited and that other forms of Islam are often faced with hindrances. Finland recommended c) provide freedom of religion in its national legislation so that the rights of religious minorities can be ensured. 55. South Africa referred to concerns expressed by CRC regarding the absence of administrative regulations aimed at ensuring equality between boys and girls. In light of CEDAW’s comments, South Africa recommended to develop a comprehensive national action plan for the promotion of gender equality, with a view to addressing key challenges facing women. In regard to the labour sector, South Africa, recommended the Government expediently attend to this issue as raised by the ILO Committee of Experts. 56. Uzbekistan asked about the status under domestic legislation of the international instruments to which Saudi Arabia is a party and if these can be invoked before the Courts and if judges, criminal investigation officers, prosecutors and lawyers are trained to act in accordance with the human rights instruments ratified by Saudi Arabia. Uzbekistan recommended Saudi Arabia to intensify its successful endeavours to rehabilitate persons accused or imprisoned in cases involving terrorism, to extend these endeavours to persons accused of imprisoned or in other criminal cases and to engage in an exchange of experience in this field with other states. 57. Russian Federation welcomed Saudi Arabia’s cooperation with international human rights protection structures and the financial support provided to human rights protection mechanisms. It was greatly interested in the initiative of Saudi Arabia for the dialogue among faiths and civilisations. It recommended that Saudi Arabia continue to strengthen its protection and ensure the whole range of human rights in the country. 58. Belarus noted that Saudi Arabia is working to further developing their national judiciary system and to eliminate discrimination towards migrant workers. Belarus recommended Saudi Arabia to continue its efforts to protect the rights of migrant workers. Belarus also recommended that priority attention continue to be given to the protection of the rights of the child. 59. Belgium remained concerned at severe discriminations and violations of human rights suffered by the seven million migrants living in the country. Reference was made to concerns expressed by ILO and CEDAW regarding domestic workers, often women. Allegations of several NGOs regarding the poor working conditions, sexual violations and the abuse of the judiciary penal system were also highlighted. The delegation of Belgium went on to express concern about violations of the freedom of religion, which include discrimination in the employment sector, harassment or imprisonment. Belgium asked about measures intended to ensure effective respect for the rights of migrants and for freedom of religion. Belgium recommended the establishment of a broad based media information campaign on the rights of migrants in Arabic and in the languages of main groups of migrants. It recommended the adoption of legal provisions to prohibit religious discrimination in all areas including in that of labor.

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