A/HRC/36/4 based selections of judicial officials, complemented by a disciplinary system in line with the Constitution, international treaties and the jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. In that regard, the delegation highlighted that the legal concept of “inexcusable error” was also used in other countries and did not affect judicial independence. 66. In Ecuador, freedoms of expression and opinion were constitutionally guaranteed and were part of the core group of rights that were directly applicable. The 2013 Organic Act on Communication had been drafted in a participatory manner and was consistent with article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The law expressly prohibited prior censorship, protected those participating in the communication process, promoted intercultural communication, contained clear provisions against discrimination and included, for the first time, the right to reply and rectification, as foreseen under article 14 of the American Convention on Human Rights. 67. The delegation stressed that the law on communication covered administrative infractions only, clearly defined the acts that constituted violations and their respective reparations and fully guaranteed the right to defence. 68. Ecuador highlighted that its security policy was people-centred and that the national police had adopted a community-based approach. As a result, Ecuador had experienced a drastic reduction in crime and was now one of the safest countries in the region. In 2015, the armed forces had been allowed, through a constitutional amendment, to provide complementary support to the police in strict compliance with the law. In order to implement that mandate, members of the armed forces had been trained in human rights and clear protocols had been established. 69. The delegation also stressed that a state of exception or emergency had been declared during natural disasters, such as the 2015 eruption of the Cotopaxi volcano and the 2016 earthquake, to allow the Government to take appropriate measures to protect the rights of the population. Notifications of all emergency decrees had been submitted to the Constitutional Court and international organizations. 70. Libya noted the positive developments in the area of sustainable development and the protection of human rights, including the implementation of the National Plan for Good Living. 71. Liechtenstein stated that, in the Comprehensive Criminal Code, the classification of offences committed in the context of armed conflicts did not cover all the acts contained in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. It noted that a law on prohibiting corporal punishment had not yet been enacted. 72. Malaysia noted the adoption of the National Plan for Good Living 2013-2017, efforts to encourage the participation of women in all levels of decision-making and an increase in spending in education. 73. The Maldives commended Ecuador for its initiatives to eradicate poverty and promote inclusive education for children with special needs. It acknowledged the progress made in reducing unemployment. 74. Mexico recognized the progress made by Ecuador in the fight against discrimination. It welcomed the legislation on human mobility, aimed at protecting the rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. 75. Montenegro encouraged Ecuador to strengthen and consolidate an environment for the work of human rights activists. It commended the progress achieved in education, but noted challenges in access to education of indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian women. 76. Morocco noted the efforts of Ecuador to implement the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals and the progress achieved in education, as a part of efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4, including an increase in investments to promote free and inclusive quality education. 7

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