A/HRC/12/12 Page 5 17. Pending challenges to address domestic violence include changes to the Code of Children and Adolescents, as well as the establishment of new specialized courts and the training of officials of the justice system on issues relating to the ill-treatment and abuse of children and adolescents. 18. Uruguay referred to the creation of the national human rights institution, highlighting the technical support of the international community, in particular OHCHR. The consultation process for the drafting of a bill based on the Paris Principles was very broad. The law was adopted on 24 December 2008 and the institution is to be established in 2010. It is linked to the legislative body but with the necessary technical and financial autonomy. A five-member Board will be appointed through a process based on established criteria and procedures. 19. Uruguay has adopted several measures to advance the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional Protocol, highlighting three preventive mechanisms: the parliamentary commissioner for the penitentiary system, the committee of observers for adolescents deprived of their liberty and an inspector for persons with psychiatric problems. These mechanisms are to be coordinated with the newly created national human rights institution. 20. Uruguay also made reference to provisions in Law 18026 which define torture as a crime, as well as revisions that were made to the police procedures and penitentiary regulations to bring them into line with international human rights standards. The Directorate of Internal Affairs within the Ministry of the Interior is a mechanism to receive complaints and investigate torture or ill-treatment committed by law enforcement agents. Information on specific efforts and budget allocations to address the problem of overcrowding in the prisons was also provided. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 21. During the interactive dialogue, statements were made by 46 delegations. A number of delegations thanked the Government for the comprehensive national report and its presentation and for the responses provided to advance questions. Statements were made welcoming Uruguay’s commitment to the universal periodic review process and the consultations with stakeholders that took place in the preparation of the national report. Delegations also praised Uruguay for its engagement with the Human Rights Council, its ratification of the core international human rights instruments and its constructive engagement with the United Nations system, including OHCHR, attesting to its level of commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. A number of delegations welcomed Uruguay’s positive steps since restoration of democracy in 1985, the adoption of legislation for the creation of a national human rights institution and efforts towards the elimination of poverty. 22. Algeria recommended that Uruguay (a) study measures that it judges appropriate to implement the recommendation of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to eliminate discrimination between men and women in the area of employment and to enshrine the principle of an equal salary for equal work of equal value; (b) examine the measures needed to expedite trials and judgments, notably in the criminal area, and examine the possible modification of the criminal system in order to make it possible for victims to participate in trials; (c) study the possibility of designing and implementing a national plan to combat discrimination against persons of African descendent and indigenous peoples; (d) begin as soon as possible to implement procedures to have the national human rights institution accredited by