A/HRC/8/37* Page 5 aware that the number of security personnel is insufficient and has therefore been discussing the possible increase of funds to address this. A long-term penitentiary policy has also been elaborated, with the priority of re-socializing persons deprived of their liberty. Peru hopes that with the support and greater involvement of the international community and additional resources, progress will be made. 10. With regard to the death penalty, an issue raised by several delegations, Peru indicated that there have been no executions in Peru for over 30 years. The application of the death penalty is stipulated in article 140 of the Constitution. Peru also referred to legislative initiatives in Congress, as well as the public debate on the extension of the death penalty to serious crimes, but it stressed that senior public officials have publicly declared that Peru will in no circumstances move away from the Inter-American System. 11. Regarding the overall situation of human rights defenders and the links between the State and relevant stakeholders, and the law on the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (Agencia Peruana de Cooperación Internacional - APCI), Peru indicated that it greatly values the work of human rights defenders and other related organizations. Regarding modifications made to the APCI law, Peru stated that the law was not designed to undermine the work of the NGOs but rather to better regulate the existence of those NGOs with public or private funding which are exempted from paying taxes. Some provisions in the law were declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Tribunal and the executive branch respects this decision. Peru stated that it guarantees protection to those human rights defenders who have presented complaints of harassment or threats. Peru described the legal mandate and competences of the autonomous national human rights institution, the Office of the Ombudsman (Defensoría del Pueblo) established in accordance with the Constitution and the Paris Principles. 12. On the implementation of the recommendations of the TRC, an issue raised by several delegations, Peru referred to progress reported on in its national report, highlighting various programmes and institutional arrangements, noting in particular progress made with regard to reparations to the victims of violence in affected regions. Peru also noted that a number of judicial processes of emblematic cases cited by the TRC are underway. The head of the delegation also noted that due to the limited time available and the large number of issues raised in advance, answers to other questions could be consulted on the OHCHR website, where these had been posted. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 13. During the ensuing interactive dialogue, statements were made by 28 delegations. A number of delegations made statements praising Peru for its comprehensive national report and informative presentation. Delegations equally welcomed the work, report and recommendations of the TRC, as well as the Comprehensive Plan for Reparations. 14. Pakistan noted positive reforms introduced in the areas of the rights of women, indigenous people and disabled persons and of those affected by HIV/AIDS. It welcomed the adoption of the National Plan of Action for Human Rights and requested Peru to elaborate on the challenges faced in the implementation of the comprehensive plan of action and requested information on the planned steps to deal with these challenges. 15. Algeria commended Peru’s ratification of the International Convention Against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries; its adoption of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees in 2002; its support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and welcomed satisfaction expressed by the Committee on the