A/HRC/12/10 Page 4 guaranteeing religious freedom, the norms on transparency and accountability and the creation of the Transparency Council as an autonomous Government institution. A bill against discrimination is being discussed in Congress. 9. The recent codification of the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes will allow for ratification of the Rome Statute. The process for approval of the United Nations Convention for the Protection of All Persons against Forced Disappearance (CED) by Parliament is at a very advanced stage. 10. Aware of the valuable contribution of its aboriginal populations to shaping Chilean society, the democratic governments of Chile have made endeavours to deepen the recognition of their rights and promote their identity, establishing the historical truth about their contribution to the development of the nation and redressing the unfair treatment they received over the centuries. Constitutional recognition of the indigenous populations is under discussion in Congress and subject to wide consultation with the indigenous communities. 11. A social pact for multiculturalism, under the name Re-Conocer, has been put into place. A land restitution programme has been established and 500,000 hectares of land handed over to indigenous communities for the benefit of 22,000 families. A law on the rights of indigenous communities in coastal areas was adopted. 12. Chile is working on the implementation of the recently ratified ILO Convention No. 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries. 13. Chile has strongly progressed in legal, political and cultural aspects of the gender issue: a National Women’s Service has been created and women’s participation in the labour market reaching over 40 per cent of the labour force. For the first time in history a woman occupies the post of Head of State and Government. 14. The social protection system has enabled Chile to face the present economic and financial crisis with solidarity. In this regard, President Bachelet promised to maintain and increase the resources attributed to this system. The laws on increasing unemployment insurance and on encouraging employment of young people with a special subsidy grant are conclusive evidence of the Government’s commitment. Poverty fell from 38.6 per cent in 1990 to 13.7 per cent in 2006 and the population below the poverty line fell from 13 per cent in 1990 to only 3.2 per cent in 2006. These figures eloquently reflect the progress of Chilean families. 15. The Government said it was set to create a national human rights institution (NHRI) based on the Paris Principles and elaborate a national human rights plan, and announced Chile’s decision to extend an open and permanent invitation to all special procedures of the Human Rights Council to visit the country. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 16. During the interactive dialogue, statements were made by 51 delegations. 17. A number of delegations thanked Chile for the comprehensiveness of the national report and its open and frank presentation. Statements were made welcoming Chile’s commitment to the UPR process and its constructive and cooperative participation in the Human Rights Council.