A/HRC/14/12 deficiencies in the area of gender equality and about reports of the systematic torture of prisoners and people in detention. 35. Pakistan noted Iran’s constitutional provisions and laws guaranteeing human rights and the elaborate judicial system, the High Council on Human Rights and the proposed national human rights institution, as well as the high standards set in the area of economic, social and cultural rights, particularly health care, social security, high literacy rates and the rights of disabled persons. It encouraged Iran to take all steps necessary, in accordance with the laws of the land and international obligations, to ensure the protection of its citizens’ rights. 36. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya highlighted Iran’s legislation on human rights and the principles governing the judiciary, in particular independence, impartiality, the rule of law and public trials. It also noted the creation of the Supreme Council on Human Rights, expanded in 2007, and its position in the governmental hierarchy, as well as the establishment of the council on women and the family. 37. Algeria acknowledged that Iran was an emerging democracy facing challenges in its transition. Noting the establishment of several human rights institutions, it asked about the coordination of their actions. It noted the increased number of human rights nongovernmental organizations and their role, and encouraged Iran to continue to promote their participation in human rights forums. It commended Iran for initiatives supporting cultural diversity and for having been a long-standing and generous host to a substantial refugee population. 38. Bahrain commended Iran’s commitment to human rights and noted its intention to cooperate with human rights mechanisms. It noted that, despite the obstacles Iran faced, strategies and programmes to strengthen education were being implemented. It asked about the right of and access to education, especially at the university level. It commended efforts relating to women’s rights. 39. Japan welcomed efforts to expand the rights of women and the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It hoped that Iran would soon ratify the Convention against Torture and CEDAW. It noted with concern reports of repression and increasing incidents limiting freedom of expression, as well as the arrest, detention and execution of political activists. 40. In response to the issues raised, the Iranian delegation noted that the State had promoted mechanisms for the adjudication of legal disputes and various methods for proper supervision and implementation. The judicial system was guided by the principles of nondiscrimination and due process. 41. According to the law on criminal procedure, in cases of explicit crimes, the police could hold a suspect in custody for a maximum of 24 hours, after which he or she must be brought before a juge d’ instruction. 42. On questions relating to Baha’is, the delegation stressed that, while Baha’i was not recognized as an official religion, its followers enjoyed citizenship rights. Limitations on some Baha’i students were a result of their failure to meet admission requirements. 43. Regarding concerns about the recent illegal demonstrations on the day of Ashura, the delegation stated that arrests had been made for offences against the law, such as the defamation of sanctities and the destruction of public property. 44. With regard to prison conditions, facilities were provided for the humane treatment of and respect for the dignity and rights of prisoners, and for the prohibition of harm and harassment. At an international conference, the Prisons Organization had received an award for the management of criminals and their re-socialization. Human rights training courses 7