A/HRC/16/6 25. Algeria welcomed the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman as an important step in the promotion and protection of the rights set forth in the national Constitution and the international treaties to which Panama was a party. It commended Panama for having established the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and the Family, and the National Institute for Women. Given that Panama was becoming attractive to migrant workers, Algeria suggested that the authorities be encouraged, through the National Migration Service, to pursue efforts to ensure dignity, human rights and nondiscrimination for migrants. Algeria made recommendations. 26. Morocco took particular note of the role of the National System of Community Judicial Facilitators, which was an alternative means to promote and facilitate access to justice. It noted that it was a good mechanism and was interested in learning more about its specific results and its impact on the field of justice. As for the rights of vulnerable groups, Morocco praised the Panamanian approach, in particular concerning the rights of immigrants and refugees, which was in conformity with the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, to which Panama was party. Morocco made recommendations. 27. France observed that defamation had remained criminalized and noted reports of alleged intimidation of media; it inquired about planned measures to guarantee press freedom. With reference to the concerns of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination regarding the harassment of indigenous communities, France asked whether Panama intended to strengthen measures to protect the security of such communities. France welcomed legislative amendments that had introduced new measures for the protection of family violence victims, but contended that the phenomenon remained a subject of concern. Finally, it inquired about planned measures to address the excessive length of pre-trial detention, which had contributed to prison overcrowding. France made recommendations. 28. Azerbaijan commended Panama for the open and constructive approach to the preparation of the national report, especially the broad involvement of civil society in that process. It noted with interest the measures taken by the Government to promote and protect women’s rights as well as gender equality. It congratulated Panama on its success in achieving the Millennium Developments Goal on education. Azerbaijan requested further information about public policies and programmes to enhance the social inclusion of people of African descent with a view to building the capacity of their organizations and networks. It made a recommendation. 29. Mexico acknowledged Panama’s commitment to human rights, which was reflected in its solid normative and institutional framework and in its cooperation with international human rights mechanisms, which would be increased through the issuance of a standing invitation to those mechanisms. It highlighted the achievements in the area of health care and the fight against poverty. It encouraged measures to combat domestic violence. Mexico inquired about the measures taken by Panama to criminalize acts of racial discrimination and to identify and eliminate the structural causes of that phenomenon. Mexico made recommendations. 30. Canada conveyed its appreciation to Panama for its efforts in promoting and protecting human rights and commended it for adhering to a large number of international and regional human rights instruments. Canada expressed concerns at the recent clashes between police and workers in Changuinola, which had resulted in injuries and two deaths. Canada welcomed the initiative undertaken to conduct roundtable consultations with labour and civil society leaders, to address underlying issues. It remained concerned about allegations of intimidation of the press and its impact on freedom of expression, and the perception that the right to freedom of assembly continues to be impeded under the law. Canada made recommendations. 6