A/HRC/WG.6/1/TUN/4 page 17 59. Algeria noted that the Council should recognize challenges faced by Tunisia with regard to terrorism. It indicated that States must guarantee the right to life and stressed that yet it is a most difficult challenge to balance the protection of human rights and countering-terrorism. Algeria suggested that the Council should set up a working group to address this issue, in particular to help protect the lives of innocent people, and asked what the Tunisian Minister of Justice and Human Rights thought about this suggestion. 60. Malaysia noted that Tunisia has adopted as early as 1956 a Personal Status Code, which UNDP described as a model for promoting the principle of equality in marital relations. Malaysia also noted that Tunisia has ratified nearly all the international human rights instruments. It further stated that Tunisia, in its national report, has highlighted the international dimension of the challenges faced by the Government in consolidating progress in human rights promotion and protection, which include terrorism, extremism, and abuses by media and perverse effects of globalization. Malaysia stated that it is crucial therefore that the UPR exercise takes this dimension into due account, and proposed that this dynamic be reflected in the recommendation of the Working Group. 61. Mexico noted that the Minister of Justice and Human Rights addressed the progress made in the area of gender equality and accordingly recommended that Tunisia withdraw its reservations to CEDAW. Mexico welcomed the announcement of increasing cooperation with human rights bodies, including special rapporteurs, and recommended consideration of cooperation with, for example, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism. It noted that the national report refers to recommendations made by civil society and asked if there is any reform to the Law on Associations contemplated. 62. Latvia was interested in the new measures taken by Tunisia. It noted the proactive approach taken by Tunisia and its decision to receive special rapporteurs of the Council and Africa. Latvia asked if Tunisia will issue a standing invitation to special procedures. 63. Belgium noted that the Human Rights Committee expressed concern regarding freedom of the press and noted observations by the stakeholders that article 51 of the Code relates to the crime of defamation and holds severe punishment. In this regard, Belgium enquired about the measures being taken to harmonize this law with ICCPR to ensure freedom of expression. Belgium also noted that the Human Rights Committee, special procedures and NGOs were concerned that human rights associations are encountering obstacles to obtaining official recognition, as well as about the intimidation of human rights defenders. Belgium asked whether Tunisia intended to receive the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders. 64. Germany welcomed the considerable efforts to improve the situation of human rights in Tunisia and encouraged it to continue on this path. Germany was grateful for Tunisia’s satisfactory answer to its question related to the treatment of suspects by security officials. 65. Djibouti hoped that the spirit of dialogue demonstrated by Tunisia will be complemented by increased objective human rights performance. Tunisia is a model country for progressive