A/HRC/13/56 freedom of expression and press freedom. The Network encouraged Eritrea to set up an efficient and inclusive partnership aimed at getting technical assistance, and called upon regional and international partners to support Eritrea in areas relating to human rights protection. 283. Reporters Without Borders estimated that some 30 journalists were being held in Eritrean prisons without having been convicted, and that sources indicated that they had been submitted to torture and other cruel treatment. It noted that, during the review, Eritrea had stated that no one had been imprisoned for expressing their opinion. However, Eritrea had then declared that freedom of the press was “another issue”, adding that, after having initially recognized freedom of the press to private enterprises, it had been forced to take “corrective measures”. Reporters Without Borders noted that four imprisoned journalists had died in recent years, and that it had sent a letter to the Special Rapporteur on torture to ask him to do everything in his power to improve conditions of detention of imprisoned journalists in Eritrea. It affirmed that witnesses had described the existence of underground isolation cells where prisoners were chained to the walls. Witnesses also reported incidents of detainees being exposed for long periods to the scorching sun and of being held in metal containers. 284. The International Fellowship of Reconciliation stated that enforced indefinite national service was an increasing element of the human rights crisis in Eritrea. The compulsory 18 months of national service could be extended until the age of 50 in cases of mobilization or emergency. It highlighted the lack of any rights to conscientious objection, the incidence of forced labour and the threats to families of those who deserted. As a consequence, many people fled or attempted to flee the country, and mentioned the special situation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in this regard. 285. Human Rights Watch urged Eritrea to implement the universal periodic review outcome, including by issuing a standing invitation to special procedures. It stated that scores of Eritreans experienced arbitrary detention and ill-treatment because they were unwilling to perform indefinite military service or declared themselves conscientious objectors. It urged Eritrea to implement the recommendations to establish the right to conscientious objection. It also expressed concern at the secret detention of persons, without access to appropriate medical care, lawyers or family. It requested that Eritrea implement recommendations to permit access to all detention facilities by independent international monitors. It requested that Eritrea, in the implementation of the review outcome, allow independent voices to be established and to pursue their rights to free expression and association. Regarding the violation of freedom of opinion and worship, Eritrea should repeal its ban on religions, cease its practice of arresting individuals who meet and practise other faiths, and end discrimination against Jehovah’s Witnesses. 286. Interfaith International, in a joint statement with Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme, stated that the presence of Eritrea was testimony to its willingness to establish dialogue with the international community after the end of the armed conflict. It noted that Eritrea had rejected half of the recommendations. It expressed concern at the increasing numbers of training camps in Eritrea for military groups spreading terror in the subregion and at the presence of pirates on Eritrean coasts. It urged Eritrea to cooperate with the international community to end the instability in the subregion, to develop a national plan of action for the rehabilitation of the victims of the successive conflicts and to revise the rules applicable to press bodies and human rights organizations. 287. The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network considered that the criminalization of consensual same-sex conduct under the Penal Code was an issue of concern. It reminded Eritrea of its primary obligation to respect international law, noting that the treaty bodies had repeatedly affirmed that laws criminalizing homosexuality violated international rights to privacy and non-discrimination. It urged Eritrea to repeal all legislative provisions that 120