A/HRC/8/52 page 172 unauthorized place on the basis of a decree of 2006 establishing the rules for the exercise of religions other than Islam. Belgium reiterated its request that Algeria ensure respect for the principle of the freedom of religion and opinion by undertaking a review of the text of that decree, and in the meantime to suspend its application. 514. Pakistan thanked Algeria for its comprehensive and elaborate review on the steps taken by Algeria with respect to the promotion and protection of human rights and the recommendations of the Working Group. Algeria is faced with a complex and challenging internal situation and has maintained a delicate balance between the need to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights of its citizens and the need to ensure peace and stability within the society by fighting terrorism. Pakistan expressed appreciation for the open and transparent approach adopted by Algeria during the universal periodic review process. It stated that despite serious challenges, the Algerian model to pursue multidimensional policies to promote sustainable development needs support and encouragement. It also welcomed the initiative to implement a national strategy to combat violence against women. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 515. The European Centre for Law and Justice, referring to observations by a number of States including Belgium, Brazil and the Holy See, as well as by non-governmental organizations, regarding the alarming situation of religious freedom, took note of Algeria’s resolution to maintain a dialogue with all its citizens practising a minority religion. It however regretted that Algeria had refused to take into account recommendation No. 55 made by Belgium, which noting the deterioration of religious freedom, requested that Algeria suspend the application of the 2006 decree. This decree had led to the prohibition and closing of more than two thirds of the protestant churches in the country, as well as to the conviction of a growing number of Christian Algerians for religious reasons. It stressed the urgent need to develop a dialogue with religious minorities and fully respect the principle of religious freedom affirmed in the Algerian constitution. Algeria’s willingness to facilitate the visit of special rapporteurs was welcomed and the European Centre for Law and Justice hoped that Algeria would invite the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief in the near future. 516. The International Federation of Human Rights Leagues and the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies congratulated the Algerian Government for having accepted most recommendations made by the Working Group. Nevertheless, they noted that the Algerian Government rejected the recommendation requesting the revision of the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation so that authors of grave human rights violations such as forced disappearance be judged and prosecuted according to international standards. The two organizations noted that a similar recommendation had been made by the Human Rights Committee in November 2007 and the Committee against Torture in May 2008. They regretted that Algeria refused to accept the recommendation inviting it to suspend and revise the 2006 ordinance defining the rules and conditions to exercise non-Muslim religions, the restrictions of which are incompatible with the respect of freedom of religion and conscience. They congratulated Algeria for having withdrawn its reservation to article 2 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women but regretted that it had not lifted the reservation to article 16 relating to marriage.