A/HRC/24/22 example domestic violence, honour killings, dowry-related violence and homophobic discrimination and violence. Many countries did not specifically designate marital rape as a crime and only some included dowry-related violence in their law. Following the good example already set by some countries, the Sexual Rights Initiative proposed capacitybuilding and that States should enact and implement laws, policies and programmes that prevented and penalized harmful traditional practices. It suggested media campaigns as a means of raising awareness and educating communities about the harmful effect of traditional values and practices and the benefits of promoting the rights of those affected by such practices. Proposed practices also included increased support for national and community-based monitoring mechanisms and the exchange of good practices. 76. Referring to “traditional values” as a basis for promoting human rights could jeopardize progress in ensuring the enjoyment of rights by all. Values reflected in traditions may or may not promote and protect the globally shared values adopted by States through human rights conventions. 77. The Good Shepherd, Plurinational State of Bolivia, pointed to good practices in the work of the “Women Stand Up” Foundation in the country. The office in La Paz reported the issue of human trafficking and the success of supporting several adolescent victims of trafficking. The measures comprised, amongst others, the provision of shelter and protection. An economic justice project in Oruro offered training workshops contributing to the empowerment of women, socioeconomic autonomy and security and gender equality. 78. Vida y Familia Chihuahua A.C., Mexico stated that traditional values common to all humankind such as the role of the family, community and education had a positive role in the protection and promotion of rights and freedoms. Traditional, moral values were thus inseparable from human rights based on dignity and inherent values of the human being. 79. Marriage should be understood as the union between man and woman. For its crucial role in addressing issues such as violence, underdevelopment or unemployment, it was noted that the recognition of family law which also encompassed the protection of marriage and family life was of fundamental importance for education on and the promotion of dignity and human rights in the whole legal system. The family should not only be protected by the State but also by society, necessitating a strong commitment from each individual. 80. Voto Católico Colombia, stated that in Colombia traditional values were the product of Catholic culture, and implied the promotion of human dignity, family and freedom of conscience. The application of human rights which did not result from traditional values would be an imposition of values alien to the system, forced on a society by foreign powers, for instance through treaties, conventions and constitutions. 81. Voz Pública A.C., Mexico, stressed the importance of respect for fundamental human rights shared by all human beings, from conception until death without exceptions such as individual autonomy. Regarding best practices, this contribution underlined the need to protect and promote the institution of the natural family between man and woman as a universal right in all countries and to oppose social reinventions of the concept. 82. Women for Development, Russian Federation, stated that the republic of Chechnya was an example of a traditional patriarchal society where the customary, unwritten law (Adat), was practised alongside the Russian Constitution and Sharia law was influential in many issues. Archaic traditions had led to increasing censorship and other violations of women’s rights. In conflict situations, women did not participate in discussions and were not involved in decision-making. In cases of divorce, women could not keep their children, in contradiction with the Russian Constitution and Islamic law. The lack of rights was also portrayed in inheritance and property laws. 15