A/HRC/12/50 304. The International Federation of Human Rights Leagues and its member organization, the Congolese Observatory of Human Rights, commended the Congo for the commitments made during the universal periodic review. Nonetheless, it noted that some recommendations had not been accepted, while others that were accepted had not yet been put into effect. The Federation encouraged the Congolese authorities to bring into national law the additional protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women, especially regarding property and the sharing and transmitting of heritage of land and access to education. Both bodies called upon the Government to bring to an end the common practice of arbitrary detention and arrests, torture and deplorable conditions in prisons in police stations, and to punish the perpetrators. The Federation noted that the commitment of holding peaceful and free presidential elections in 2009 had already been ignored. They both also regretted that no delegation had recommended that the Congo better protect human rights defenders. They also regretted that the Congolese authorities had refused to implement the recommendations relating to depenalizing homosexuality. 305. Interfaith International noted that, for a number of years, the village communities of Djeno, Bondi, Tchicanou in the county of Kouilou had been complaining about the effects on their land, wild life and health of the pollution arising from the exploitative activities of multinational oil companies. A number of appeals had been made by environmental organizations and civil society, but no initiative had been taken to implement article 36 of the Constitution providing for compensation. Interfaith International urged the Government to find a solution and to protect the human rights of indigenous peoples, and to fight corruption. 306. Comité pour le respect et l’application de la Charte Africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples commended the Congo for the various mechanisms set up for better legal protection of women, children, indigenous peoples, displaced people, people affected by HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and vulnerable persons victims of exploitation and violence. The Congo had taken up challenges such as fighting poverty, strengthening the judiciary system, promoting intercommunity dialogue and disarmament, reinsertion, demobilization, ratification of a number of international instruments and needed the support of the international community in that regard. 307. Action internationale pour la paix et le développement dans la région des Grands Lacs referred to a number of specific actions taken by the Government for national reconciliation after the civil war, as well as for the promotion and respect for human rights, despite the material, human and financial problems in the country. It called upon the international community to support the initiatives of the Congo mentioned in the Working Group report in the areas of rule of law, democracy and the full enjoyment of economic and social rights. 308. Action Canada for Population and Development and the Polish Federation for Women and Family Planning indicated that the Government of the Congo should, inter alia, ensure that the legal protection of women and children victims of violence becomes effective in rural areas; in conformity with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, adopt the legislation necessary to prohibit the practice of sexual violence to which Congolese women have been exposed; continue to invest in the consultation of obstetrics and information provided by qualified midwives; continue efforts to protect the rights of people affected by HIV/AIDS; and continue efforts in favour of sexual equality and the health of mothers and girls. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 309. The representative stated that the presidential elections held in July 2009 were in conformity with the rule of law and international practice. The Congo thanked all those who supported it, and all those who had urged the adoption of the report. The Government 108