A/HRC/8/37* Page 8 meeting international standards and granting reparations to victims . The Netherlands also noted that in 2006 the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders expressed concern at this issue and that in 2007, 89 cases of threats and actions against human rights defenders had been registered. It recommended to Peru to ensure the protection of human rights defenders to carry out their work freely and recommended to Peru to report to the Human Rights Council on concrete measures and actions taken in this regard. 27. Japan referred to reports of high rates of child labour, as indicated by UNICEF, while also noting the efforts made to tackle the issue through its National Plan for the Eradication of Child Labour, and requested more information on planned measures to address the issue. Japan also noted recommendations made to Peru by the Committee on the Rights of the Child and CEDAW to implement its national action plan and to take measures to combat trafficking, and requested elaboration on the current status of Peru’s efforts regarding this issue. While Japan noted the positive evaluation made by the Special Rapporteur on the right to health of Peru’s health policy, it also noted that the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing encouraged the development of strategies to improve access to water and sanitation by the poor. Japan requested information on plans in this regard. 28. Peru then responded to some of the questions raised, grouped by subject matter. It stated that the elaboration of the National Plan for Human Rights (2006-2010) is fulfilling Peru’s previous commitments including those undertaken in its candidature for the Human Rights Council. Through the National Council for Human Rights there was an important unprecedented process for consultation for the preparation of the National Plan. Eighteen public hearings were held, as were preparatory hearings; there was equally active participation by both public and private institutions and grass-roots organizations. 2,800 persons participated throughout the national territory, 78 per cent of whom were from civil society. The National Plan seeks to strengthen democracy, justice, peace, development and the respect of fundamental freedoms and human rights, which are interdependent, mutually strengthening concepts. A number of recommendations have been implemented. Not all involved actors are familiar with this important document, but it constitutes a fundamental tool in the domestic elaboration of the human rights agenda. 29. Peru reiterated its commitment to the issue of indigenous peoples, as it has one of the highest populations of indigenous peoples in Latin America. Peru took a leadership role during the negotiations on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and presented the second draft resolution in the history of the Human Rights Council to approve this text. Special impetus was given to the National Institute for the Development of the Andean, Amazonic and Afroperuvian Peoples (known as INDEPA), a public institution which focuses on the promotion, defence, research and affirmation of the rights and development of the identity of these peoples. There is a need to strengthen measures to ensure an adequate balance between key economic activities which generate important economic resources for the public and private sectors and the living conditions and rights of these groups as well as of the environment. In accordance with these principles, concrete measures were adopted regarding indigenous peoples and mining in their territories; Decree 0012/2008 provides for citizens’ participation in carrying out activities in this field, and sets out the role of citizens and civil society in promoting standards and harmonious relations between populations, States and enterprises that exploit these resources. There are different ways to conduct popular consultations in mining projects. 30. Peru added that while it has fallen behind in presenting its periodic reports to treaty bodies, as mentioned in its introductory statement it committed itself to presenting these reports in accordance with a defined timetable which goes until June 2009. On the issue of refugees, Peru mentioned its Refugee Law adopted in 2002 and the set of accompanying regulations; in that