A/HRC/11/37 381. The Minister Delegate indicated that nine recommendations had not been supported by Cameroon. With regard to the decriminalization of homosexuality, he stated that the penalization of homosexuality was not, according to the legal order of Cameroon, contrary to the provisions of article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Homosexual persons were not denied their rights or any benefit because of their presumed sexual orientation. The practice was, however, contrary to both prevailing legislation and what the democratic society of Cameroon still regarded as immoral. 382. The Minister Delegate also underlined the fact that the legislation of Cameroon was in line with the relevant provisions of articles 26 (2) of the Universal Declaration and article 29 (7) of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which constitute guarantees that can be invoked by every democratic society according to its moral characteristics. On the one hand, these provisions allowed the State to restrict a right or freedom in order to satisfy the just requirements of morality, public order and general well-being in a democratic society, and on the other required individuals to ensure in their own relations with society the preservation and strengthening of positive African cultural values. For the culture of Cameroon, homosexuality was not permitted by society; the legislator had merely ensured the affirmation of this sociological value. The Government, however, ensured that all rights of citizens were respected without any discrimination. 383. Cameroon welcomed the creation of an independent monitoring body to organize elections (ELECAM), which represented an important step forward in its democratic process and was an additional guarantee of transparency and fairness in electoral processes. The composition of the body was consistent with the decree that established it, according to which its members were to be persons of varied ethnic, cultural and professional origin and known for their independence, moral rectitude, intellectual honesty, patriotism, neutrality and impartiality. The President of the Republic had taken steps to guarantee the full and complete independence of the body. 384. At the current stage of the universal periodic review process, Cameroon would like to be able to count on international cooperation, convinced that, with the support of the United Nations and other partners, it would succeed in implementing in a satisfactory manner the recommendations that had been accepted with a view to improving the general situation of human rights in Cameroon. Cameroon was aware that the promotion and protection of human rights were important not only for development but were also a factor essential to stability and peace in society. 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome 385. Algeria thanked Cameroon for the additional information given on the follow-up to recommendations made at the fourth session of the universal periodic review. It welcomed Cameroon’s decision to accede to the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, expressing the hope that this example would be followed by other countries, in particular, developed countries. Algeria also noted Cameroon’s intention to continue its efforts to ensure the conformity of conditions of detention to international standards and to increase the effectiveness of the plan of action to improve the judicial system to combat corruption in a more effective manner. Lastly, Algeria reiterated its invitation to the international community, in particular OHCHR, to provide the technical assistance requested by Cameroon to those ends. 386. Belarus noted the constructive and responsible approach shown by Cameroon during the universal periodic review. During the review, Belarus had recommended measures to further protect and promote social and economic rights of citizens, improve the quality of GE.09-16766 117