A/HRC/12/9 Page 12 consistent with the promotion and protection of human rights, especially those of women. Japan made a number of recommendations to Afghanistan. 79. The Czech Republic recognized the utmost importance of the election processes and made a number of recommendations, including on torture, arbitrary detention and human rights abuses by security forces. 80. Greece noted that the intensification of the conflict and the lack of infrastructures and facilities in rural areas constitute an obstacle to the realization of the right to education. Furthermore, it referred with concern to the increase in the number of child victims resulting from attacks against schools by insurgents. Greece made a recommendation. 81. Albania noted with satisfaction the creation of special committees responsible for monitoring the human rights situation in Afghanistan, including six commissions in charge of assuring the respect of human rights during investigations, interrogations and detention. In Afghan prisons, the commissions examine the problems of children and youth, death penalty cases, detainee complaints and the elimination of violence against women. Albania also expressed concern about the situation of Afghan women and made a recommendation in that regard. 82. Addressing the concerns expressed regarding the Shia Personal Status Law, the Afghanistan delegation stated that the President ordered the review of the law, which will be done in consultation with the international community in order to make it consistent with Afghanistan’s international commitments. 83. The existing law, which complies with all international commitments, and has been enforced for the last four years, removed all restrictions on freedom of expression. The new press law also remained consistent international commitments. Its implementation has been delayed due to some technicalities. 84. With regard to the moratorium on executions, the delegation said that Afghanistan’s criminal law recognized the death penalty as did the law of other Islamic countries. However, the penalty is rarely applied; it can only be applied after the decision of the trial court and two stages of appellate courts, including the Supreme Court. The application of the sentence further requires the consent of the President, who scrutinizes the whole case with the intention of finding reason to commute the sentence. 85. The delegation noted that UNAMA was assisting in the process of establishing the Human Rights Unit in the Ministry of Justice. This unit will gather information on human rights from other ministries and localities and monitor the Government’s implementation of human rights principles. 86. The delegation indicated that new prisons would be built by 2012 to improve prison conditions and the treatment of prisoners. About $10 million has been allocated to implement the new reform. 87. While laws drafted under the present Government were consistent with human rights standards, resources and personnel were needed to review earlier laws to ensure their conformity with international commitments.