A/HRC/12/6 page 7 continue its efforts in promoting and protecting human rights, in particular these related to women and children, and recommended that it continue efforts to combat all forms of discrimination which may victimize vulnerable groups, such as indigenous communities and the disabled. It also recommended paying special attention to the condition of persons in prisons and continuing its capacity-building policy in the field of health-care services. 26. The United States of America recommended that the Congo (a) allow for greater freedom of expression for members of the press in advance of the election, including political reporting and granting equal media access to and coverage of opposition candidates; (b) encourage civic participation, including of civil society, in the electoral process; (c) finalize and enact the draft law prohibiting all forms of trafficking; (d) develop formal procedures for identifying trafficking victims among vulnerable populations such as females in prostitution, street children and Pygmies; (e) train police and social workers to implement these procedures; (f) increase efforts to provide care to trafficking victims and end the practice of jailing children found in prostitution and increase efforts to raise awareness among vulnerable populations of the danger of trafficking. 27. The United Kingdom welcomed Congo’s political dialogue under the Cotonou Agreement and their renewed commitment towards good governance and the rule of law. They noted NGO concerns on the implementation of commitments under the CAT, access to justice for detainees and detention conditions and asked what steps have been taken in response. They noted that the Penal Code criminalises homosexual acts which is contrary to the ICCPR. The United Kingdom recommended that the Congo (a) take steps to ensure prison conditions are independently monitored, perpetrators of acts of torture are duly prosecuted and that detainees have the right to a fair trial; (b) take all necessary measures to ensure the forthcoming elections are peaceful, free and fear, and occur in a climate free of intimidation and where the right of assembly is fully respected; (c) take further steps to address discrimination against women and vulnerable groups including children, persons belonging to minorities and indigenous people; and (d) remove the provisions that criminalize homosexuality. 28. The Russian Federation asked for more information about the duties of the National Ombudsman and the recently created Commission on Human Rights; how authorities are divided between those bodies and how they can influence the decision-making process for the decisions relating to improving the national system for the protection of human rights. It also asked if the Congo is planning to adopt additional measures to ensure access to medical services for the population in rural areas including the extension of the system of medical institutions and clinics to remote areas. Noting the large numbers of indigenous peoples and that the Congo is planning to adopt an appropriate programme of action and to introduce certain legislative initiatives, it asked for more information in this regard. 29. Turkey hoped that the priority attached to gender issues will result in the improvement of equality between men and women and that the recommendations by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women should be taken into consideration in preparing the new bill for the protection of the victims of sexual violence. Turkey invited the Congo to combat discrimination affecting women and girls in the schools, taking into account the concerns