A/HRC/15/2 draft constitution, holding a referendum for its adoption and conducting free and fair parliamentary and presidential elections were cited as the short-term objectives of the provisional Government. 8. With respect to the national report, the delegation stated that a number of public events had been organized, including seminars and consultative meetings with civil society and international organizations in the preparation of the national report for the universal periodic review. The report presented the main legal framework for the human rights mechanism. As noted by the delegation, the April events in Kyrgyzstan demonstrated that the human rights practices of the State did not meet the requirements and needs of the people. Despite the political changes, the delegation took part in the Working Group session with a view to an open and constructive dialogue, confident that an objective assessment of the national report and the recommendations of States would serve the promotion and protection of human rights in Kyrgyzstan. 9. The provisional Government, committed to ensuring human rights and freedoms, has taken several measures to that end. These have included supporting the release of political figures and public leaders from their places of detention, including those who had been illegally detained and charged with organizing mass disturbances on the eve of the presidential elections in 2009. As noted by the delegation, the provisional Government has placed priority on the issue of an independent judiciary, planned to pursue a policy aimed at protecting the rights of refugees, and expressed its commitment to freedom of expression, planning to introduce public broadcasting. The ratification by Parliament in March 2010 of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is noteworthy. 10. The delegation noted that protecting children’s interests remained a priority for the country and that the relevant domestic legislation reflected the norms set out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child aimed at the more effective protection of children’s rights. The delegation noted that State orphanages remained the main form of support for neglected children and that more than 88 per cent of children in orphanages had been separated from their families because of difficult economic situations. Local centres had been established to support children and families as a part of a decentralized system for the protection of children and families. The delegation expressed the need to further develop the capacities of existing institutions and of United Nations technical assistance. Kyrgyzstan planned to establish a juvenile justice system and believed it necessary to adopt a plan of action regarding the issues of the trafficking in children, child pornography and prostitution. 11. While referring to a number of measures that had been taken to ensure the participation of women in public administration, the delegation recognized the need to strengthen the strategy aimed at eliminating stereotypes regarding the role of women and men in society and the family. The delegation also referred to the problem of violence and bride-kidnapping, which had persisted despite a number of criminal prosecutions; expressed its readiness to take further measures to improve the situation, including awareness-raising measures; and cited the need to develop national projects and relevant technical assistance. 12. The delegation referred to a number of measures taken to ensure the rights of ethnic minorities, including the provision of education in four languages. The delegation also noted its plans to develop and implement a policy that took into account the ethnic and cultural diversity of its society. The delegation expressed the adherence of Kyrgyzstan to the principles of tolerance and mutual respect among various ethnicities and religions. 13. While referring to the decrease in the number of imprisoned persons since 2007, the delegation expressed its intention to further develop alternative forms of punishment for juvenile offenders and adults by continuing initiated reforms in the penitentiary system, and 4