A/HRC/21/13 46. Swaziland commended Algeria’s efforts to improve the lives of its citizens and its leading role in Geneva in defending Africa’s interests, which showed the importance Algeria attached to the promotion and protection of human rights. It appreciated the financial contributions made by Algeria to OHCHR and other United Nations institutions. 47. Sweden was concerned at reports of torture and ill-treatment in places of detention, particularly in connection with anti-terrorism efforts. It welcomed the new strategy to combat violence against women, but urged that funding be allocated for its implementation. It asked what measures were envisaged to strengthen efforts to combat violence against women. Sweden made recommendations. 48. Switzerland expressed concern about discrimination against women in family law and against religious minorities. It noted that there had been no executions since 1993, and that Algeria had co-sponsored General Assembly resolution 65/2006 in which the Assembly called for a worldwide moratorium on the use of the death penalty. Switzerland made recommendations. 49. Thailand encouraged Algeria to consolidate democracy, the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and respect for human rights in its reform process. It welcomed progress made in women’s participation in politics and decision-making and in achieving the MDGs in health and education, but noted that regional disparities persisted. Thailand made recommendations. 50. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Algeria thanked the delegations that had made statements for their encouragement and their recommendations. Algeria had always had faith in all international human rights mechanisms and in the conventions to which it had acceded, which consolidated human rights. It had constantly worked to promote international cooperation on human rights matters. As a founding member of the Human Rights Council, Algeria was involved in the series of reforms under way at the United Nations, and supported the reform-minded approach both as a country and as a member of regional organizations. The importance Algeria attached to its work with treaty mechanisms did not prevent it from continuing to cooperate with other ones as well. In that regard, Algeria was cooperating with the special procedures. The Algerian Government had invited seven special procedures mandate holders to visit the country. Three visits by special rapporteurs had already been carried out: one on violence against women, one on freedom of opinion and expression, and one on adequate housing. He reiterated the invitation to the other four special rapporteurs, namely those on the rights to education, health, food, and safe drinking water and sanitation. Once those visits had been completed, the Algerian Government would be willing to examine the possibility of receiving visits from other special rapporteurs. Algeria’s cooperation with universal mechanisms had extended to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Two consecutive visits had been arranged, in December 2009 and 2010, for two Commission delegations comprising five thematic mandate holders. In addition, Algeria had submitted periodic reports to the Commission. 51. Algeria was emerging from a painful decade that had had major consequences for the Algerian people. In that extremely difficult context, the country had had to initiate a process of national unity and reform of the legal system to bolster freedoms and democracy. 52. The national tragedy had made it necessary to take steps to combat terrorism, which had been defeated thanks only to the sacrifices of the security forces and the vigilance and participation of the population. The decision to lift the state of emergency, which marked a return to order and security, was an important decision, and had been carefully considered. It did not, however, preclude the need to exercise vigilance by being particularly careful about freely allowing meetings to take place with extensive media coverage. Such GE.12-14978 7