A/HRC/11/21* legislation; and (d) thoroughly reform the legal framework regulating the founding and operation of independent media enterprises. 17. The Netherlands commended the Government for achievements such as hosting the United Nations Sub Regional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. It raised concerns about independence of the media and enquired about measures taken to lift restrictions on the media, including in the Press Law and its application, such as high licensing costs, closure of various media and requesting journalists to report to the Police Office. It recommended that Cameroon reform the press law in order to lift existing restrictions on the media. It expressed concern about information provided by several NGOs on torture in prisons and the harassment of human rights defenders by security forces and asked what was doing to stop violence by its officials and impunity in many of these cases. It asked when the Government would respond to the four individual communications to the Human Rights Committee. 18. Israel took note of measures to significantly advance the human rights situation, including adoption of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which provided for practical application of the right to a fair trial. Israel also commended the cooperation between the Ministry of Justice, the Sub Regional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa and UNDP. Israel inquired about specific steps to realize the right to an adequate standard of living for all and ensure access to necessities fulfilling their basic needs. Noting that Cameroon had incorporated into its Constitution and relevant national legislation the right to freedom of expression and of the press, it recommended furthering advancing those fundamental rights by ensuring that national press legislation evolved in conformity with international human rights standards. Israel noted the challenges faced by Cameroon in the implementation of the promotion and protection of human rights and recommended the comprehensive review and subsequent application of the national human rights strategy in collaboration with the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms, and with reliance upon civil society, to ensure a long lasting and sustainable framework for the application and protection of human rights for the people of Cameroon. 19. Slovenia welcomed that Cameroon’s incorporation of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and international treaties into its Constitution and its de facto moratorium on the death penalty. It noted reports about a large number of children sold by parents and exploited in the labour market and about increasing number of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation, including prostitution and pornography, especially among those engaged in child labour and street children. Slovenia recommended that Cameroon (a) establish an anti-trafficking public campaign and put in place measures to protect victims of trafficking and give them the necessary legal and psycho-social assistance and societal reintegration; (b) adopt legislation prohibiting FGM and other discriminatory cultural practices; (c) extend an open invitation to United Nations Human Rights Council special procedures; and (d) abolish the death penalty. 20. Noting that various NGOs had reported instances of torture, particularly torture of children by members of the security forces, Argentina asked about measures to avoid such practices. According to CEDAW, marked cultural stereotypes, as well as customs and traditions discriminating against women, persisted in Cameroon. Argentina inquired about the policies for promoting gender equality, including eliminating FGM. Argentina recalled that in 2005 the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention had called on the Government to consider introducing changes to local legislation regarding homosexuality to bring them into line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international standards accepted by Cameroon. NGOs, too, had described various cases of people convicted in Cameroon for engaging in homosexuality. Argentina recommended Cameroon considering the possibility of reforming the laws criminalizing homosexuality and adapting them to international standards. 6 GE.09-16396