A/HRC/22/39 claiming that the President’s solution did not guarantee them equal representation in the Commission. 6. As a result of the ban on the march of 27 August, the opposition coalitions suspended the political dialogue by announcing the resignation of their representatives in the transition entities and the Government on 28 August 2012. However, early signs of compromise began to appear among the political class in September. Progress was made, thanks to the parties involved and the support of various international actors,2 by way of legislative reform and the reorganization of the Electoral Commission to ensure more equal representation of the political groups. The reconstituted National Electoral Commission was established on 29 October 2012 and began work on a strategic operational plan. There are still differences of opinion, however, especially regarding the choice of contractor to revise the electoral register and the vote of Guineans living abroad. 7. In addition to the political tensions, the situation in Guinea was characterized by social unrest. The main demands were for better living conditions and improvements to an environment damaged by mining operations. The Government has adopted measures to combat economic crimes and improve economic governance. As a result, inflation has fallen and the national currency has stabilized, enabling the country to reach completion point in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC), with two thirds of the country’s multilateral debt or US$ 2.1 billion forgiven on 26 September 2012. Moreover, the Paris Club of Industrial Country Creditors forgave 99.2 per cent of Guinea’s debt, or US$ 655.9 million, on 25 October 2012. Nevertheless, these economic measures have had a limited impact on the population’s enjoyment of economic and social rights. To that extent, progress on the Millennium Development Goals remains insufficient, particularly in terms of reducing extreme poverty, fighting unemployment and providing access to education and basic social services. 8. All this led to demonstrations in Guinée Forestière to demand employment for locals, denounce deteriorating living conditions and call for environmental protection, especially in mining areas. Other sporadic actions occurred in other cities, such as Fria, over the closure of the alumina plant, and in some neighbourhoods of Conakry in January and August to protest the inadequate electricity supply. The Government agreed to use the additional resources freed up by debt forgiveness to finance the priority goals contained in the poverty reduction strategy, such as guaranteeing the right to health and education and improving basic infrastructure. III. Situation of human rights 9. Some noteworthy progress was made in 2012 regarding the observance of certain civil and political liberties, including freedom of opinion, expression and association. Furthermore, security sector reform has made law enforcement more professional. However, challenges of an institutional, legal and structural nature remain: the fight against impunity, the administration of justice and the protection of economic, social and cultural rights. 10. The Government’s policy on impunity has had limited impact on the reestablishment of the rule of law whether in terms of prosecuting offences committed by 2 GE.13-10258 The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the International Organization of la Francophonie, the United Nations system in Guinea and the European Union. 5