A/HRC/10/29 implement them. Pakistan also noted the initiation of the process to accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Pakistan noted the commitment by Turkmenistan to intensify its cooperation with several special procedures and that the recent visit of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief was noteworthy. (c) General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 561. Action Canada for Population and Development commended the Government on the changes in its political system and the new Constitution. Noting the State’s commitment to cooperate with United Nations agencies and international organizations, it urged the Government to, inter alia, report publicly, accurately and comprehensively all health-related data, specifically to disclose information about the HIV situation in the country and provide access to treatment for people living with HIV, and adequate prevention services and information to the general public. With reference to recommendation 29 of the report, it called on the Government to review the official policy on infectious diseases and to allow for an objective assessment of the country’s situation, with a view to designing policies that would effectively guarantee the right of all Turkmen to the highest attainable level of health. It also requested the Government to clarify its position on recommendations contained in paragraphs 36 (b) and 40 (e), and called on the Government to repeal article 135 of the national criminal code to decriminalize consensual same-sex behaviour among adults as, according to the Human Rights Committee, the criminalization of such acts constitutes a violation of article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Turkmenistan is a party. It requested that the Government ensure that nongovernmental organizations, including those in the health sector and those supporting vulnerable groups, were able to register freely and operate without State interference or fear of reprisal. 562. Cercle de recherche sur les droits et les devoirs de la personne humaine noted the adoption of the new Constitution in September 2008, which established the primacy of international treaties over national Turkmen legislation. In this connection, it enquired about the measures taken by the Government to ensure that knowledge of international law was disseminated among magistrates and judges. 563. Human Rights Watch welcomed the review of Turkmenistan as an opportunity to foster positive change in the policies of one of the most repressive Governments in the world. It was encouraged by the acceptance of a number of recommendations, including against the harassment of journalists, religious communities and non-governmental organization registration, and urged the implementation of these recommendations as a matter of priority. It urged the Government to implement promptly the recommendation on cooperation with the special procedures that had requested an invitation. It also welcomed the State’s commitment to cooperate with ICRC, and called for the clear acceptance of the recommendation to allow ICRC to access places of detention and to prevent torture. Another area of concern raised during the review was the severe repression of civil society, with independent activists and journalists facing a constant threat of Government reprisal. Human Rights Watch urged the Government to fully implement the recommendations to actually protect human rights defenders from persecution and end restrictions on the media. It deeply regretted the decision of Turkmenistan to reject a number of recommendations. It commented on the unknown numbers of people languishing in Turkmen prisons following unfair trials, with at least two having taken place during President Berdymukhamedov’s rule. It added that some of the cases were well known, such as those of Mukhmetkuli Aymuradov, Annakurban Amanklychev, Sapardurdy Khajiev and Gulgeldy Annaniazov, and were raised during the Working Group session. Human Rights Watch stated that, while some individuals previously prevented from travelling abroad had now been able to travel, the system of restrictions de facto remained in place. It urged the Government to reconsider GE.09-17451 179