A/HRC/21/10 118. Norway stated that child labour was preventing children from accessing education. It welcomed the de facto moratorium and public debate on capital punishment. Norway made recommendations. 119. Paraguay noted progress made by India in consolidating policies on human rights, including enacting legislation to protect the environment and to guarantee the right to education. It welcomed India’s ratification of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its two Optional Protocols. Paraguay made a recommendation. 120. The Philippines wished to learn about the National Green Tribunal in promoting and protecting the right to a healthy environment, and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act as a development strategy to guarantee the right to work. 121. Portugal welcomed the expansion of the list of banned and hazardous processes and occupations of the Child Labour Act. However, further efforts were needed to tackle this violation of children’s rights. It welcomed the de facto moratorium on capital punishment. Portugal made recommendations. 122. Qatar noted the achievements to ensure the rule of law. It applauded the initiatives to guarantee the enjoyment of the right to education. It commended India for its economic plan 2007-2012, adopted to bring about comprehensive development. Qatar made recommendations. 123. The Republic of Korea welcomed new and draft legislation in the areas of education and the protection of women in the workplace. It noted with satisfaction India’s invitation to the special procedures mandate holders. It was concerned about the delay in ratifying CAT. It made recommendations. 124. The Russian Federation welcomed measures adopted by India to defend and ensure the rights of vulnerable groups. It made a recommendation. 125. Saudi Arabia commended India for its efforts to improve food security and public health and which had resulted in reduced child and maternal mortality, and reduced cases of polio and HIV. It made recommendations. 126. Senegal noted legislation adopted on women and children’s rights, education, employment, access to information, the environment and access to justice; and well as action taken by India to ensure civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights. Senegal made recommendations. 127. Singapore supported India’s commitment to promoting racial and religious tolerance. It congratulated India on sustaining rapid economic growth, thereby lifting millions of people out of poverty and advancing the rights to food, housing, education and health. Singapore made a recommendation. 128. Slovakia welcomed the steps taken by India towards ensuring greater political participation of women, the establishment of a national commission to protect children’s rights and the standing invitation to special procedures. Slovakia made recommendations. 129. Costa Rica highlighted progress made in protecting human rights. It made recommendations. 130. India stated, with regard to ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), that effective legal and constitutional framework to address violations of the rights of individuals existed. The Constitution provided for direct access to individuals to the Supreme Court and the High Courts. Other statutory mechanisms also provided adequate redress. 13