A/HRC/15/4 occurred during those events, including sexual attacks on women, had been unacceptable. It asked about measures to ensure the right to life, physical integrity, and equal enjoyment of human rights by women, as well as measures to combat ethnic discrimination. It noted that the postponement of presidential elections since the military coup of 2008 had denied the Guinean people their right to participate in government. It noted that persons expressing their views or seeking to participate in the political process had been abused, detained and killed. It asked about measures taken to restore democracy and constitutional order. It made recommendations. 56. Japan was concerned about the deterioration of the human rights situation in Guinea following the coup last September, while it welcomed developments that had occurred since the Ouagadougou Agreement of 15 January 2010. It noted that the presidential election scheduled for 27 June was an important step in consolidating democracy. It highlighted its concern over the fact that discrimination against women remained in the country’s culture and customs. Japan made a recommendation. 57. The Republic of Korea hoped that Guinea would heed the views and recommendations offered at the present universal periodic review session so as to deliver improvements in its human rights situation. It welcomed initiatives to empower rural women and improve women’s health through the establishment of relevant institutions and through budgetary increases. It noted improvement in the net enrolment ratio in primary and secondary schools. While Guinea faced challenges at the political, economic and social levels, it noted that these should not affect the commitment to human rights. It made recommendations. 58. The United States of America welcomed the signing in January of the Ouagadougou Agreement and the establishment in February of a transitional Government. It remained concerned about human rights violations committed by the security forces, such as killings, sexual assaults, arbitrary detention and torture, which had ensued from the country’s political and social crises. It stated that the end of the military regime presented an opportunity for democratic progress, but that undisciplined security forces not subject to civilian control could derail this transition. It made recommendations. 59. The delegation of Guinea stated that there would be no duplication of roles or functions between the National Human Rights Directorate and the national human rights commission envisaged in the draft constitution. The first body would be responsible for the Government’s statuary obligations vis-à-vis the United Nations and the treaty bodies system, while the second body would draw the attention of the Constitutional Court to new laws possibly infringing constitutionality and would ensure the protection of human rights defenders. The President had concluded the first reading of the draft constitution and was evaluating whether there was a need for a second reading. Among other innovations, the Law on Media would decriminalize press offences, and all electoral lists should include at least 30 per cent women candidates in order to be considered valid. 60. The delegation noted the existence of a five-year national programme against female genital mutilation, as well as repressive measures. Life imprisonment and the death penalty, which were included in the Criminal Code with regard to violence against women and children, would be envisaged for the most serious cases. 61. Bulgaria welcomed Guinea’s ratification of several of the principal United Nations human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It noted that the national report stated that the right of citizens to freely choose their leaders in regular elections had been enshrined in all constitutional texts, but it expressed concern at recent political developments. It asked how Guinea would ensure a return to constitutional order, guarantee the right to freely elect representatives, and implement its pledge to hold elections, in light of the Ouagadougou Agreement of 15 January 2010. It noted that 10