A/HRC/13/15 24. Turkey noted the reinstitution of the National Plan and National Commission for Violence Prevention and Promotion of Social Peace. It commended the Social Assistance and Promotion and “Avancemos” Programmes. Turkey noted that more needed to be done for indigenous peoples. It noted the strategy on education and intercultural dialogue and that education was free and compulsory. It commended programmes for people with disabilities and the elderly. It noted a high percentage of dwellings in poor condition, especially of indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, migrants. It encouraged the relevant authorities to take effective steps in providing all segments of the society with access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Turkey made recommendations. 25. Maldives congratulated Costa Rica on its domestic, regional and international leadership on environmental issues –including through the promotion of the concept of the right to a healthy environment. Maldives asked to what extent the enjoyment of all human rights in Costa Rica is dependent on the effective enjoyment of the constitutional right to a healthy environment. It made a recommendation. 26. Brazil asked about: policies for promotion of human rights, including relating to the fight against poverty and social inequality; measures to guarantee children’s and women’s rights, while combating discrimination, violence, trafficking and sexual exploitation. It asked about policies and legal framework for the rights of indigenous peoples and Afrodescendants and the situation of those groups. It also asked about human rights and migrants and refugees’ policy. It made recommendations. 27. Austria encouraged Costa Rica to continue to involve stakeholders and NGOs in the follow-up of UPR recommendations. While welcoming the 2007 law criminalizing violence against women and an awareness raising campaign in this regard, Austria noted that the problem persists. Austria asked how Costa Rica intended to address the lack of access to education, especially in rural areas. Austria commended Costa Rica for the abolishment of the criminalization of homosexuals and transgender persons. Austria formulated recommendations. 28. Mexico recognized Costa Rica’s democratic tradition. It noted institutional improvements to prevent human rights violations as well as to ensure citizens’ access to remedy and reparations. It asked about the implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities. It made recommendations. 29. Germany noted that Costa Rica was the model country in the region, in the vanguard in its commitment to peace and human rights. It noted that, in 2007, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination stated that acts of racial discrimination were considered as minor infractions punishable by a fine and asked about criminal legislation regarding acts of racism and racial legislation. It made recommendations. 30. The Czech Republic commended Costa Rica for its long term support of the OPCAT. It noted the concern expressed by the Human Rights Committee with regard to libel and defamation as press offences. It made recommendations. 31. Canada noted the efforts made to address the social development challenges of indigenous people and minorities (Office of the Attorney for Indigenous Affairs, indigenous languages translator in the judicial system). Canada noted the 2009 Migration and Aliens Act but noted that the Committee Against Torture and the Human Rights Committee expressed concerns related to pre-trial detention and detention of aliens. Canada welcomed Costa Rica’s efforts to improve the situation of women although discrimination against women persists. Canada made recommendations. 32. Egypt commended the public human rights bodies and institutions focusing attention on groups requiring greater protection and specific initiatives. It welcomed the Legislative Assembly’s Special Committee on Human Rights. It commended the International 6