A/HRC/13/17 Page 7 32. Djibouti commended Ethiopia for its cooperation with OHCHR in submitting reports to treaty bodies. It appreciated the improvement in women’s participation in political life. It noted the provisions of the new criminal code of 2005 criminalizing harmful traditional practices, and that the awareness raising campaigns against female genital mutilation had decreased the acceptance rates by the communities. Djibouti requested information on the system of data collection to evaluate progress and Ethiopia’s evaluation of the level of cooperation between federal and regional institutions and public organs. 33. Finland referred to concerns by the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders over police brutality, torture, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and unfair trials. It noted reports of insufficient control of police powers to arrest and detain suspects by prosecutors or courts. It asked to what extent legal institutions safeguard citizens from maltreatment and about the organization of protection by the government at different levels of society. It also asked how the scope of action of human rights defenders is safeguarded in Ethiopia. 34. Canada welcomed Ethiopia’s commitment to consider extending invitations for country visits to United Nations special procedures and encouraged these visits. Canada reiterated that the 2009 Charities and Societies Proclamation is a source of serious concern. Canada noted that the full and unfettered participation of all political parties in the electoral process is critical to successful elections and Ethiopia’s ongoing stability and future prosperity. Canada commended the legislative reform undertaken to address female genital mutilation. 35. France asked Ethiopia about intentions to create a parliamentary inquiry commission to clarify the events in the aftermath of the 2005 elections, and on the establishment of an independent inquiry commission on alleged human rights violations in Ogaden in 2005 and in the context of the April 2007 offensive. It enquired about measures to ensure that laws relating to the press and the fight against terrorism do not lead to abusive restrictions, projected law reforms on civil society and measures taken in relation to FGM and domestic violence. France welcomed the recent signature of a code of conduct with opposition forces and the agreed deployment of a European observation mission of the May 2010 elections. 36. Austria noted that the CRC expressed concern about discrimination against girls, children with disabilities, children living in poverty, children affected by HIV/AIDS and refugee and ethnic minority children, and requested information on follow-up. It noted that the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women were concerned about high numbers of women and girls victims of sexual violence and abuse and about widespread impunity for perpetrators of such acts. Austria enquired about the Government’s plans to address these serious concerns. 37. Australia commended the efforts to increase primary school enrolments and develop health services. It noted indications of concerns relating to the treatment of ethnic minorities during internal conflict and the calls for independent investigations of these allegations, and asked whether Ethiopia intends to undertake such an investigation. It noted that the United Nations independent expert on minority issues stated that Ethiopia should ensure civil society groups are free from interference and harassment. It noted concerns about political detainees in Ethiopia, including the case of a detained political leader.