A/HRC/12/50 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome 271. Algeria praised the acceptance by Belize of 36 recommendations of the 46 made. It welcomed Belize’s readiness to consider the possibility of establishing a national human rights institution in conformity with the Paris Principles. Algeria encouraged Belize to pursue its efforts in improving the situation of women in the country, and welcomed its willingness to promote their rights and to ensure their empowerment and advancement. It noted that the programmes adopted by Belize to eradicate poverty and to improve social indicators, including in health and education, testified to its commitment in this regard. 272. The Russian Federation expressed particular satisfaction at having been a member of the troika in charge of Belize’s review. The Russian Federation noted that Belize’s main priorities included fighting HIV/AIDS, ensuring the right to education and overcoming the high level of unemployment of youth, and assistance to people living with disabilities. It wished the country progress in implementing the various programmes in place to promote and protect human rights, and success in implementing the obligations assumed under the universal periodic review process. 273. Cuba appreciated the efforts and actions taken by Belize to implement the recommendations made during the Working Group dialogue, and noted the acceptance of the majority of them. Cuba commended Belize for the efforts made to implement its national action plan for children and youth in the areas of education, health, protection and HIV/AIDS, among other sectors. It recognized positively the establishment of a committee to combat trafficking in persons, and the measures taken to promote and protect the human rights of women. It encouraged Belize to continue on the path chosen. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 274. The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network expressed its appreciation of Belize’s clear responses to the recommendations. It welcomed Belize’s acceptance of recommendation 12, by which the Government agreed to provide human rights training with regard to the protection of vulnerable groups, including persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, to law enforcement officials, judicial officers and all State officials. It regretted, however, that Belize was not yet ready to accept recommendations 9 and 28, which urged the Government to ensure that no one was subject to criminal sanctions for same-sex activity between consenting adults, and to ensure that there was no discrimination on these grounds. It referred to the Human Rights Committee’s ruling in the case of Toonen v. Australia, underlining the fact that laws criminalizing same-sex conduct violated the international rights to privacy and non-discrimination, and impeded measures to address HIV and AIDS by driving marginalized communities underground. It thus noted that this was inconsistent with Belize’s acceptance of recommendation 18. 275. Finally, the Network welcomed Belize’s support for the resolution of the Organization of American States on sexual orientation, gender identity and human rights adopted by consensus earlier in 2009. In keeping with that commitment, it urged the Government to bring the criminal code into conformity with its international obligations. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 276. The representative from Belize thanked the Council for its support and recommendations. She noted with great respect the constructive comments made during the interactive dialogue by the countries who had taken the floor. Belize looked forward to continuing this constructive dialogue in the interim years until the next review, as the discussions on human rights must continue between the sessions of the Council and between the cycles of the universal periodic review. 103