A/HRC/8/37* Page 4 accordance with the 1993 Constitution, and have priority over domestic legislation for its implementation. Peru has ratified the seven core international human rights treaties, the American Convention on Human Rights and has also recognized the competence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. 7. The promotion, respect and protection of human rights require complementary action by the three branches of the State as well as by other autonomous constitutional organs. All ministries of the executive branch implement human rights-related actions. In particular, Peru described the responsibilities of the Ministry of Justice, as well as the functions and mandate of the National Human Rights Council which is composed of seven ministries of the executive branch, the judicial branch, the Prosecutor’s Office , the Ombudsman Office (Defensoría del Pueblo), the Episcopal Peruvian Conference, the National Evangelical Council, the Coordinadora Nacional de Derechos Humanos and other observer institutions that aim at respecting human rights. In this regard, Peru indicated that it is committed to further strengthening the National Council of Human Rights, and to ensure a permanent and broad institutional dialogue. Peru also noted the important role played in the promotion and protection of human rights by the judicial branch, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Constitutional Tribunal. Reference was also made to the responsibilities of the Ministry of Justice with regard to the penitentiary system; to specific programmes to provide free legal assistance and legal education; to the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and actions to follow up on its recommendations; to the first National Human Rights Plan; and to efforts to combat discrimination against women, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons living with HIV and other vulnerable sectors. Within the framework of national reconciliation efforts, reference was also made to the adoption of the Comprehensive Reparations Programme, the creation of the Multi-Sectoral High Level Commission that ensures follow-up to the TRC recommendations, the work of the Reparations Council and the implementation of programmes by the Ombudsman Office. Efforts to strengthen the administration of justice, such as the National Plan for the Comprehensive Reform of the Administration of Justice and the new Criminal Procedure Code were highlighted. Peru also referred to emblematic ongoing trials for human rights violations and acts of corruption, which demonstrate the capacity, effectiveness and independence of the judiciary. Peru noted the importance of eradicating social, economic, racial and other forms of discrimination and referred to public policies, strategies and the institutional framework to address poverty and extreme poverty in the country. 8. In responding to advance questions, Peru indicated that equality between men and women and fighting discrimination against women is a priority. Key public institutions have been established to protect the rights of women, such as the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, the Commission for Women in Congress, the Defensoria Adjunta for the Rights of Women within the Ombudsman Office, the Commission for the Rights of Female Police Officers and other institutions. Peru’s commitment in this regard is also reflected in relevant legislation and policies, such as the law on Equal Opportunities adopted in March 2007 and other legislation, the National Plan to combat Violence against Women, and the National Programme to combat Domestic and Sexual Violence. With regard to criticism on the impact of the restructuring of the Ministry for Women and Social Development (MIMDES) on the implementation of plans and programmes, Peru indicated that statistics have demonstrated in fact that this has not had any direct impact. 9. Peru recognized the existence of the problem of the penitentiary system, an issue raised by several delegations. A plan for the development of the penitentiary infrastructure from 2008-2017 has been elaborated with the main aim of ensuring attention for detainees with regard to the systems of health, education and labour in accordance with international standards. A commission was created to evaluate requests for presidential pardons and amnesties for humanitarian reasons. Peru is