A/HRC/12/50 discrimination law and the implementation of the Ohrid framework agreement. Slovenia also welcomed the acceptance of its recommendation on the consolidation of the independence and overall capacity of the judicial system by the Government, and encouraged it to strengthen further the rights of minorities and the institution of the Ombudsman. 613. The United States of America noted with concern that ethnic segregation in schools was increasing in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. While this was originally done to protect minority students from ethnically based violence, it tended to deepen the dividing lines between the different ethnicities, reinforce stereotypes and nullify reconciliation efforts. It welcomed the Government’s commitment to address the roots of ethnic violence and to foster tolerance and respect for ethnic diversity by focusing greater efforts on education. It fully supported the Ministry of Education’s goal of introducing courses on multiculturalism and tolerance as a means to enhance social cohesion among all ethnic groups. 614. Slovakia welcomed the State’s decision to implement fully the recommendations for improving the legislation on elections. It was pleased that the reform of the judiciary and the promotion of its independence and efficiency remained major priorities of the country, and encouraged the Government to continue all necessary efforts in preparation of the plan of action for justice system reform, as well as the improvement of conditions in prisons and detentions centres. Efforts should also be made to achieve full compliance of the antidiscrimination law, currently in preparation, with international human rights standards. Slovakia also welcomed the determination of the Government to fully implement the Ohrid framework agreement and encouraged it to use the synergy of integration processes and instruments for pre-accession assistance in its efforts to tackle the challenges identified in the universal periodic review. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 615. In a joint statement, the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGAEUROPE), the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Federatie van Netherlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie van Homoseksualiteit COC Nederland strongly commended the Government for having accepted most parts of recommendations 13 and 18 contained in the Working Group report. ILGA Europe called for the explicit inclusion of gender identity as a prohibited ground of discrimination in the anti-discrimination law, in order to better protect the rights of transgender people. ILGA welcomed the Government’s recent awarenessraising campaigns and anti-discrimination programmes. It encouraged the Government, in the development and implementation of such campaigns, to work in partnership with relevant civil society groups and to use the Yogyakarta Principles for guidance. Regarding recommendation 18 (b), ILGA expressed its deep disappointment that the Government had decided not to treat same-sex couples in the same manner as opposite sex partners and urged the Government to reconsider its position on this matter. 616. The International Commission of Jurists remained concerned by frequent allegations of ill-treatment by law enforcement authorities and the failure to take effective measures to prosecute and punish the perpetrators, as required by the State’s international human rights obligations. It also regretted that the Working Group had not addressed some of the key issues for the effective prevention of torture, including the lack of prompt, effective and confidential access to a lawyer, and the need for a prompt, independent medical examination of those alleging torture or ill-treatment, as well as effective review by judicial bodies of the legality of the detention. It called on the Government to carry out an independent investigation on the circumstances of Mr. al-Masri’s abduction and detention in the country and the role of its intelligence services in that regard. 156