A/HRC/13/56 judiciary. It encouraged the Government to develop an independent judiciary, end arbitrary detention and provide detainees with immediate access to a judicial authority. It also encouraged the Government to follow through and seek assistance on the implementation of recommendations relating to ending the use of torture, eliminating impunity and reforming the penal, law enforcement and judicial systems. It urged the Government to accept the recommendation calling to stop the requirement for non-governmental organizations to seek approval from and report to the Ministry of the Interior, and to reconsider the recommendation to allow political parties and the media to operate freely. 716. China took note of the Government’s positive attitude to present the efforts and difficulties faced in ensuring human rights, and of Equatorial Guinea’s political will to further protect human rights. It also took note of the acceptance of most of the recommendations. China appreciated the commitment of the Government to the universal periodic review follow-up, and expressed its support to Equatorial Guinea’s continued efforts to combat poverty, raise living standards, improve the quality of education and provide better health care. China expressed its hope that the international community would help the Government to address its challenges and achieve progress in human rights. 717. Senegal welcomed the acceptance of the recommendations regarding the realization of economic and social rights, in particular access to education and combating maternal mortality and poverty. It congratulated the Government on its efforts to improve the condition of women and children, as well as its relations with civil society. It appealed to the relevant institutions to provide technical support to Equatorial Guinea in its initiatives to promote and protect human rights. 718. Morocco appreciated Equatorial Guinea’s sincere commitment to the universal periodic review and the acceptance of its recommendation regarding the strengthening of synergy and coordination among the various national human rights institutions. Equatorial Guinea’s resolve to respect its international human rights commitments should be supported by the international community, which should work with this country to identify ways and means to ensure sustainable development for the people. Morocco reiterated its full support for Equatorial Guinea’s efforts to promote and protect human rights. 719. Cameroon welcomed the efforts made by Equatorial Guinea to promote and protect human rights, in particular economic, social and cultural rights, namely through the establishment of free primary education and the progress in women and children’s rights. Cameroon encouraged Equatorial Guinea to implement all the recommendations accepted. It called on the Council and the community of the United Nations to provide Equatorial Guinea with strengthened technical assistance to ensure better human rights protection in the country. 720. The Congo appreciated the acceptance of the majority of recommendations and welcomed the support for the question of the promotion and protection of the rights of women and children and the fight against cultural stereotypes and customs that hinder the full enjoyment of women’s rights. By renewing its commitment to work closely with human rights mechanisms, Equatorial Guinea showed its keenness to promote and protect human rights. The Congo called on the international community to provide the necessary technical assistance to the Government for the implementation of the recommendations. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 721. The International Commission of Jurists expressed its support for the recommendations calling on the Government of Equatorial Guinea to guarantee the independence of the judiciary through institutional and legal reforms to put an end to the culture of impunity. The protection of human rights would not be possible if lawyers were attacked in representing their clients. The Government’s acceptance of the 186