A/HRC/10/82 Page 13 measures envisioned to grant internally displaced persons the full exercise of their human rights. It recommended that (a) better protection be provided to human rights defenders, particularly in rural areas, and fostering dialogue between the Government and human rights organizations, using if necessary the mediation of the local OHCHR office. 39. Pakistan appreciated the broad consultations undertaken with civil society in the preparation of the national report. It noted that, despite challenges, Colombia has made progress in a number of areas and highlighted the Government’s commitment to upholding and respecting human rights at all levels of public authority. Pakistan noted that the Council and the international community should support the Government of Colombia in its efforts to address challenges to the protection and promotion of human rights. 40. The Czech Republic recommended, in relation to the high numbers of threats and attacks against human rights defenders, (a) the adoption of further measures to ensure effective protection of their personal safety, elimination of impunity of perpetrators of crimes against them, the adoption of concrete steps against their stigmatization and the promotion of awarenessraising programmes for the public and officials about the importance and legitimacy of human rights advocacy. It asked about specific measures to protect the rights of children of detainees/prisoners and of children from rural areas. The Czech Republic recommended (b) the adoption of concrete measures to ensure universal access to quality primary education; (c) adopting measures to ensure effective national birth registration, including through programmes of mobile registration units and registration of those without documentation; (d) timely cooperation with the monitoring mechanism based on the Security Council resolution 1612 (2005) and adoption of concrete measures to prevent and punish all kinds of recruitment or use of children in armed conflict; (e) accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and the establishment of a national preventive mechanism accordingly. The Czech Republic acknowledged recent positive changes in legislation regarding the rights of persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity. It recommended (f) conducting public awarenessraising campaigns against social prejudices and for upholding the principle of equality and nondiscrimination regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. It welcomed the issuance of a standing invitation to special procedures and recommended (g) its thorough and timely implementation. 41. Japan applauded the Government’s efforts to improve public security, crucial to the protection of the right to life for all citizens. It requested more efforts to improve the country’s human rights situation, including to prevent forced disappearances and kidnappings and to protect the human rights of indigenous peoples. It welcomed the enforcement of the 2006 Colombian Law on Children and Adolescents to protect the rights of children and youths and to stop sexual exploitation and child labour, but asked how much it has worked, given continuing serious human rights violations against girls. It expressed continued support for efforts to tackle various human rights issues, including measures to improve the situation of internally displaced persons, the socially vulnerable and education and to deal with anti-personnel land mines. As president of the Group of 24, Japan said it wished to lead the international community’s efforts to build peace in Colombia. 42. Portugal noted the concerns raised by the Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons on the reintegration of demobilized people, possible impunity and the low return of internally displaced persons. Portugal asked about measures to overcome this situation. It recommended (a) prosecuting perpetrators of forced displacement independently of other possible crimes and human rights violations, instead of considering it an accessory fact or a

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