A/HRC/19/8 60. Brazil noted the measures taken to combat violence against women, and that the issue remained a challenge. Brazil acknowledged Thailand’s socio-economic achievements, while noting growing inequalities. Brazil commended Thailand’s universal health-care scheme and enquired about health-care access for foreigners. Brazil remained concern about restrictions to freedom of opinion and expression through the Emergency Decree, the lese-majesty law and Computer Crimes Act. Brazil made recommendations. 61. Germany asked whether the Government would revise the lese-majesty law. It enquired about Thailand’s intentions to ratify the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1967 Protocol, and the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons as well as about the steps it would take to achieve the birth registration of refugee children. Germany asked how Thailand would improve the human rights and rule of law situation in the South. 62. Honduras acknowledged Thailand’s efforts to protect human rights, including its education programmes for children and the Human Rights Action Plan. Honduras noted the challenges of violence against children and children’s participation in armed groups. Honduras enquired about Thailand’s intention to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families and to invite the Special Rapporteur, as well as about guarantees of access to justice for migrant workers. Honduras made recommendations. 63. Uruguay recognized Thailand’s structural reforms to guarantee social justice for the poorest in the country. Uruguay highlighted the reduction in the poverty rate and the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 1. Uruguay noted Thailand’s priority with regard to the rights of women and encouraged continued measures on such issues. It noted the establishment of mechanisms to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Uruguay made recommendations. 64. Slovakia acknowledged Thailand’s engagement in the work of the Human Rights Council and commended it for ensuring children’s rights notably in the area of combating sexual abuse and sex trafficking. It noted with appreciation Thailand’s support to the OHCHR office in Bangkok. Slovakia made recommendations. 65. Republic of Korea noted Thailand’s commitment to protect and promote human rights, particularly of vulnerable groups and women prisoners. It welcomed the services provided to victims of violence and noted the education initiatives in Southern Thailand to reduce violence against children. It was concerned about stereotypes regarding women. It encouraged the eradication of child labour and the development of a surveillance system. It made recommendations. 66. South Africa supported Thailand’s efforts to withdraw reservations. It requested information on progress made to overcome the challenge of violence against children. It urged Thailand to request assistance for human rights education and training as well as capacity-building to enforce human rights policies. It made recommendations. 67. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela valued Thailand’s efforts to achieve universal and equitable socio-economic development through the reduction in the poverty rate and the eradication of hunger. It acknowledged the policies and programmes on social participation and assistance to vulnerable people, such as the equitable land and resources distribution and the universal health coverage. It made a recommendation. 68. Saudi Arabia noted Thailand’s achievements, which had furthered the promotion and protection of human rights at both the legal and institutional levels. Saudi Arabia highlighted the human rights-related advances, particularly in education and in spreading a human rights culture among the different segments of Thai society. It expressed hope for the continuation of these efforts and made recommendations. 10