A/HRC/15/2 expressed concern about the vulnerable situation of human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers. Norway made recommendations. 22. Brazil believed that the universal periodic review could contribute to the efforts to achieve democratization, strengthen the judiciary, reduce poverty, pursue sustainable development and guarantee freedom of expression. It highlighted the abolition of the death penalty. It inquired about steps taken to protect children and women, combat discrimination and the shortcomings regarding economic, social and cultural rights. Brazil made recommendations. 23. Turkey underscored the importance of fair and timely elections in upholding the rule of law and welcomed the announcement of the upcoming constitutional referendum and parliamentary elections. Turkey encouraged Kyrgyzstan to accede to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and to consider the establishment of an independent national human rights institution. 24. Indonesia hoped for the swift restoration of national stability. It noted the ratification of the “New Generation” programme on children’s rights. It highlighted the fact that the Constitution provided for gender equality and noted the substantial increase in the number of women in Government positions. It asked for further information about the Act on social and legal protection against domestic violence and human trafficking. 25. Kazakhstan welcomed the will of the Kyrgyz people to live in a free and democratic society. It noted the new challenges relating to the stabilization of the political situation and the enhancement of economic development. It stated that it believed that the provisional Government was aware of the concerns of the international community, and expressed the hope that the Government would cooperate with it. Kazakhstan made recommendations. 26. Kyrgyzstan noted that, since 2009, the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Migration had assumed the function of coordinating the efforts of central and local governments aimed at the implementation of the State gender policy. As one of the objectives of the national strategy on gender equality 2007-2010 was to combat all forms of violence against women, amendments to the legislation on domestic violence, |based on the results of the monitoring of the implementation of the domestic violence legislation, had been drafted and submitted to parliament. In March 2010, the campaign against domestic violence had been officially launched in Kyrgyzstan, in cooperation with the United Nations. Polygamy and bride-kidnapping constituted crimes under the Criminal Code. The delegation also noted the draft amendments to national legislation aimed at strengthening punishments for human trafficking and associated crimes and at protecting the victims of trafficking. 27. With regard to freedom of expression, the delegation noted that the investigation of a number of cases involving violence against journalists remained a priority for the law enforcement bodies. Since 2005, 34 cases of violence against journalists had been recorded and 28 criminal cases had been launched. In that respect, through a decision by the Ministry of the Interior, a special investigative group had been established to investigate cases of violence against journalists and to bring the perpetrators to justice. 28. Kyrgyzstan noted that a large number of print and broadcast media were registered in the country. However, journalists faced serious problems in performing their functions, as there had been a number of cases in the past involving beatings and other forms of violence directed against journalists, including threats to their lives. The previous authorities had established control over media through re-registration mechanisms, and any criticism expressed in the media had resulted in the closure of the media outlet concerned. The Ombudsman had established a special division on the protection of civil and political rights, and was in the process of developing a national human rights action plan that would 6