A/HRC/11/37 attention to the situation of human rights and to continue its efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals. 393. Burkina Faso congratulated Cameroon on its cooperation and commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in spite of the challenges of development needs. It noted that Cameroon had made tangible progress in the promotion and protection of human rights. Burkina Faso welcomed Cameroon’s spirit of dialogue in the framework of the universal periodic review and the firm will of the country’s authorities to meet their human rights obligations. It noted that the majority of recommendations had been accepted by Cameroon and this would strengthen the institutional framework for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. 394. Chad welcomed the delegation of Cameroon and noted that the country had accepted the majority of recommendations, in spite of the lack of resources necessary to implement them. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 395. The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network noted that an issue of concern raised during the review of Cameroon related to the criminalization of consensual same-sex conduct under article 347 of the penal code, and indicated that such provisions were a violation of established international human rights law. The delegate stated that the law continued to be the source of numerous incidents of harassment, abuse, arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention and continued to pose a threat to public health. The Network asked Cameroon to ensure that the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and human rights defenders were not violated and to repeal article 347 of its penal code. 396. Franciscans International welcomed the fact that recommendations on the rights of the child had been accepted, but noted that there were still many obstacles to the full realization of children’s rights. As stated in recommendations 19, 55 and 76, the situation of children in the street was of concern, as were the child victims of exploitation and rape, children of divorced couples and children with handicaps. These recommendations offered an opportunity to assess programmes implemented and to adapt them to new challenges. It appreciated Cameroon’s commitment to free primary education and to closing the gap between girls and boys in primary education. It noted the challenges to its implementation, however, particularly in rural areas. It highlighted the fact that Cameroon should ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Protocol thereto, following recommendation 76. 397. The International Federation of Acat welcomed the replies of Cameroon and congratulated the country on its commitment to accelerate the reform of the judicial system to ensure fair proceedings. It recalled that 85 per cent of persons detained in the prisons of Douala and Yaoundé were preventively detained and joined the concern on the absolute necessity to ensure the respect of the rights of those deprived of their liberty. It welcomed the remarks regarding the necessity of improving detention conditions and supported the recommendations that there be a judicial reform to eradicate corruption. It also welcomed the measures taken, in particular the creation of a national anti-corruption commission, and joined the concerns regarding torture in prisons. Lastly, it supported recommendations that Cameroon should prosecute and sanction those responsible for violence and inhuman and degrading treatment. 398. In a joint statement, Cercle de recherche sur les droits et les devoirs de la personne humaine and Organisation pour la communication en Afrique et de promotion de la coopération economique internationale welcomed the decree, signed in 2008, providing for compensation for the homeless, and requested further information on the time frame for the GE.09-16766 119