A/HRC/15/4 part of defence and security forces. No exceptional situation can justify human rights violations. The military justice code and the establishment of a military tribunal will contribute to the Government’s efforts in this field. 24. The establishment of the National Directorate for Human Rights and the opening of an OHCHR Conakry office will resolve the difficulties related to the late submission of periodic reports to treaty bodies. 25. The reform of the judiciary is one of the Government’s priorities. Among other measures, the Guinean Observatory for Human Rights, created by the Prime Minister, is acting on the basis of the Paris Principles. The Government plans to make the Observatory a fully independent constitutional institution. 26. Several legislative initiatives, including the ratification of a number of ad hoc international instruments and transnational cooperation, have been undertaken with respect to child trafficking and forced labour. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 27. During the interactive dialogue, 36 delegations made statements. A number of delegations expressed appreciation for Guinea’s national report and for the comprehensive presentation made by the Guinean delegation. They acknowledged the difficulties faced by Guinea in a period of transition, and welcomed efforts for the establishment of lasting peace and democracy. Recommendations made during the dialogue are found in section II of the present report. 28. Norway acknowledged that Guinea was in transition and noted the recent positive developments towards free elections and civilian rule. It acknowledged efforts to investigate the events of 28 September 2009. It was concerned about the situation of women. It believed that civil society organizations played an important part in fostering a culture of human rights and that their active participation was essential to a meaningful universal period review process. Norway made recommendations. 29. Brazil welcomed policies aimed at improvements in women’s health and progress in HIV/AIDS treatment, notably the reduction in the cost of medicine. Brazil noted with satisfaction the transitional Government’s efforts to re-establish democracy and its cooperation with regional and international organizations. It hoped that the next elections would represent a step towards peace and stability. It welcomed the adoption of resolution 13/21 of the Council. It appealed to the international community to aid Guinea’s efforts. It made recommendations. 30. While admitting that poverty, illiteracy and the lack of human and financial resources hampering Guinea’s progress in the promotion and protection of human rights, Indonesia stated that the report attested to Guinea’s clear political will to tackle those shortcomings. It was encouraged to note genuine efforts to meet international obligations by gradually establishing a human rights framework and by educating judges, lawyers, public servants and army and police officers about human rights. Indonesia made a recommendation. 31. Germany appreciated Guinea’s cooperation in adopting its resolution at the thirteenth session of the Human Rights Council and its decision to cooperate with OHCHR with a view to opening a country office. It noted that, while the national report stated that freedom of association and assembly was a constitutional principle, the OHCHR compilation expressed concerns regarding the closing of newspapers in 2008 and allegations of torture in the context of a general strike in 2007. Germany asked about 6