A/HRC/42/11/Add.1 Recommendation Position 121.175 Accepted 121.176 Not Accepted 121.177 Accepted 121.178 Accepted 121.179 Noted 121.180 Noted 121.181 Noted Procedures are available for children of women citizens married to foreign nationals to be accorded Brunei citizenship through an application process, pursuant to Section 6 of the Brunei Nationality Act. In view that Brunei Darussalam has a policy of single nationality, children of women citizens may either be registered as Brunei nationals or the nationals as that of the father. 121.182 Noted The rights and welfare of women in this country are and have always been protected and taken care of. Brunei Darussalam recognizes that gender equality and women’s empowerment are crucial for the advancement of women towards national development. Women’s rights to education, health, employment, political and public life as well as participation at the international level are recognized and given importance. There are general and specific laws that address criminal acts against women. The laws of Brunei Darussalam apply to everyone without any discrimination. 121.183 Noted Provisions under the Married Women Act (Cap 190) and the Islamic Family Law Act (Cap 217) protects women against violence in the household. The two laws provide extensive protection for abused family members, through among others, the issuance of protection orders, the award of compensation to the victims, and the power of police officers to make arrest without warrant. Brunei Darussalam objects to any practices that are harmful to female babies and children. Female circumcision in Brunei Darussalam does not result in any disfigurement and neither does it cause any maternal or perinatal morbidity or mortality. Unlike male circumcision, which is globally accepted as a medical intervention, female circumcision in Brunei Darussalam does not involve any cutting or suturing and is virtually a bloodless procedure. Therefore, Brunei Darussalam does not consider female circumcision as practiced in the country as female genital mutilation. 121.184 Accepted 121.185 Noted Brunei Darussalam objects to any practices that are harmful to female babies and children. Female circumcision in Brunei Darussalam does not result in any disfigurement and neither does it cause any maternal or perinatal morbidity or mortality. Unlike male circumcision, which is globally accepted as a medical intervention, female circumcision in Brunei Darussalam does not involve any cutting or suturing and is virtually a bloodless procedure. Therefore, Brunei Darussalam does not consider female circumcision as practiced in the country as female genital mutilation. 11