A/HRC/13/56 1. Views expressed by the State under review on the recommendations and/or conclusions, as well as on its voluntary commitments and on the outcome 734. The delegation stated that, by actively participating in the review, the Government had demonstrated its readiness to cooperate with United Nations human rights mechanisms. It appreciated the questions, comments and recommendations. Some recommendations had required further consideration and deliberation among relevant authorities. 735. Ethiopia was encouraged that many delegations had appreciated, inter alia, the federal arrangement which allowed for greater protection of diverse nations, nationalities and peoples, the strengthening of democratic and human rights institutions, the human rights education policy and the generous refugee policy. Delegations had also highlighted Ethiopia’s efforts to broaden freedom of expression by issuing licences to a number of press outlets, encouraged the continued expansion of social services, welcomed efforts to reduce child and maternal mortality and supported the food security policy. 736. On 7 March 2010, the Council of Ministers had recommended that the House of Peoples Representatives should consider ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Ethiopia therefore accepted this recommendation; the ratification of one of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child was also considered favourably. Furthermore, Ethiopia pledged to consider the ratification of additional instruments to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Ethiopia was also committed to signing the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and was considering its ratification in due course. 737. Ethiopia had one of the most progressive constitutions, particularly in ensuring cultural diversity. The delegation admitted that, occasionally, resource competition, particularly in the lowlands of the country, had triggered communal tension and conflicts. Measures at the federal and local levels had been taken to find an effective solution to these conflicts, including by the House of Federation and the Ministry of Federal Affairs. Ethiopia therefore considered favourably the recommendation requesting the Government to strengthen efforts made to address the causes of ethnic conflicts. 738. Regarding the recommendation to raise the minimum age for criminal responsibility, the revised federal criminal code stipulated that different categories, namely of youths 9–15 and 15–18 years of age, may assume certain responsibilities. Reforming criminal law would require deliberate consideration, which Ethiopia would continue to undertake. 739. The delegation stated that, contrary to some unfounded allegations, Ethiopia had a well-disciplined national army. Legislation provided for the minimum age for recruitment, and the armed forces did not recruit children below the age of 18 years. Regular training had been held, often in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross, to train the national defence force in human rights and humanitarian law. Necessary constitutional and legal frameworks ensured civilian control of the military. In a few cases where credible cases indicated a possible involvement of individual members of the military in human rights violations, the Government had taken unequivocal steps, including the creation of an independent inquiry. In the case of the conflict in Gambella in 2003, the outcome of that inquiry had resulted in the criminal prosecution of some members of the defence forces. While these exceptional situations were swiftly handled, the Government found it difficult to accept recommendations implying that members of the defence forces often violated human rights with impunity. 740. The Government had taken measures to ensure that the upcoming elections were free and fair. Both the ruling party and most opposition parties had signed a code of 189