A/HRC/11/17* who are not permitted access to secret information in immigration cases. These advocates see all the evidence the judge sees and may challenge its sufficiency, weight and relevance. The courts will have an opportunity to rule on whether the balance that has been struck with the special advocate programme sufficiently protects individual rights. 17. Canada is committed to addressing its human rights challenges in an open, transparent and collaborative fashion. It expressed appreciation for the many advance questions received. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 18. During the interactive dialogue, statements were made by 45 delegations. Additional statements by 24 delegations which could not be delivered during the dialogue due to time constraints are posted on the UPR extranet when available.* A number of delegations congratulated the Government on the quality of its presentation and report. Some also recognised its cooperation with treaty bodies. 19. Switzerland highlighted Canada’s role in implementing international human rights standards, recommending that Canada (a) continue its efforts to bring its system of security certificates concerning immigration into compliance with international human rights standards. Recognizing efforts to accept indigenous rights regarding traditional territories, it noted NGO reports that Canada limits the scope of certain rights, while renegotiating treaties, thus forcing indigenous peoples into long and costly appeals. It recommended (b) reinforcing efforts to settle territorial claims and improve the mechanism of conflict resolution. While welcoming efforts to combat poverty, Switzerland expressed concern that poverty affects 11.2 per cent of the population, particularly indigenous people, AfroCanadians, immigrants, persons with disabilities, single mothers and women with low salaries. It asked about improvement measures. 20. Austria noted the Government’s efforts to work with Aboriginal peoples at settling land claims, particularly through the specific claims process, and asked about its acceleration. It recommended (a) ensuring that all consultation and consent duties are respected by all responsible government agencies at federal and provincial levels and ensuring that the relevant treaty body recommendations are fully taken into account and these processes do not restrict the progressive development of Aboriginal rights in the country; (b) continuing consultations on the issue with all stakeholders with a view to being able to support the Declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples in the future; (c) studying and address the root causes of domestic violence against women, in particular Aboriginal women; and (d) taking measures to facilitate effective access to justice for victims of domestic violence and provide immediate means of redress and protection. 21. Italy asked about and recommended (a) considering specific legislation on domestic violence, making it a criminal offence, ensuring to victims effective access to immediate means of protection and reinforcing prosecution of perpetrators. Italy asked if Canada is considering ratification of ILO Conventions Nos. 29, 98 and 138. It noted reports that, since 2003, over 20 people have died in Canada after being shot by police with a Taser. It recommended (b) submitting to scrutiny the regulations governing the use of Taser weapons with a view to adopting legislation that would explicitly place them in the category of “weapons” and prescribe more rigorous procedures for their possession and use. * Colombia, Sweden, Slovenia, Uzbekistan, Estonia, Ghana, Ireland, Greece, Germany, Sudan, Senegal, South Africa, New Zealand, Hungary, Ecuador, Botswana, Haiti, Guatemala, Djibouti, Lesotho, Palestine, Zambia, Uruguay and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. GE.09-15299 5