A/HRC/13/56 267. The delegation noted that the recommendations on the cooperation with special procedures and United Nations treaty bodies (the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), and followup to universal periodic review recommendations had been accepted. 268. Regarding the issue of same-sex activity between consenting adults, the delegation indicated that these recommendations were in direct conflict with the values and traditions of the Eritrean people and did not, therefore, enjoy the support of the Government. 269. On the right to life, physical integrity and security, on gender equality and female genital mutilation, and domestic and sexual violence, the delegation stated that the recommendations had been accepted. 270. Regarding national service, underage military conscription and torture, the delegation indicated that these recommendations did not enjoy the support of Eritrea. It noted that members of the Eritrean Defence Forces were highly disciplined and humane. In the rare cases of abuse, severe punishment was imposed on offenders. There was no underage recruitment into the national military and no one was tortured or subjected to cruel and degrading or inhuman treatment by the police or the military as a general practice. Nevertheless, the Government spared no effort in prosecuting anyone found guilty of subjecting people to inhuman and degrading treatment, torture or exacting forced and/or free labour of youth in the national service programme. 271. The recommendations regarding national service did not enjoy the support of Eritrea, since the national service, which is enshrined in the Constitution, was established with the sacred duty and responsibility of defending the country’s sovereignty and independence. Eritrea remained under military threat; as long as it existed, Eritrea would protect its sovereignty and independence the way it deemed appropriate. The inability or unwillingness of the international community in general and the sponsors of the Algiers Peace Agreement in particular to enforce respect of the ruling of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission and international law had been a serious cause for the deterioration of peace and security in the Horn of Africa. The delegation denounced the double standards with which the international community treated Eritrea. 272. The delegation highlighted the fact that Eritrea had begun its demobilization process in 2002. In the past five years in particular, graduates of the Sawa school had been (depending on their academic performance) provided with basically three career opportunities: joining degree programme institutions; joining one-to-three-year diploma or certificate schools; or joining the civil service. 273. Concerning detention centres, torture, involuntary disappearances and due process of law, the delegation stated that torture was illegal in Eritrea and there were no secret detention centres in the country. Due process was the law of the land. Any transgressor in these areas was accountable before the law. The Special Court had been established by law to implement the Government’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption, theft and embezzlement, and it was carrying out its duties in line with those mandates. Nevertheless, the Special Court was currently under review with regard to procedure and substance. 274. Regarding the rights of returnees, the delegation indicated that recommendation 107 had been accepted. 275. Concerning social services, poverty reduction and the Millennium Development Goals, the delegation noted that recommendations 116 to 125 had been accepted. 276. The delegation also indicated that the recommendations relating to technical assistance had been accepted. Eritrea welcomed the building of partnerships that enhanced its human, development and institutional capacity, enabling it to further and deepen its commitment to promote and protect the rights and dignities of its citizens. Its efforts in this 118