A/HRC/14/37 466. Angola had lived through difficult periods in its history. The experience acquired from these periods had enabled Angola to begin a new cycle of which it was particularly proud. This was characterized by the adoption of a new Constitution, which marked the end of the period of transition and established definitively the idea of a democratic State that regards human rights as a factor for structuring growth and development. 467. The delegation stated that many of the concerns raised during the interactive dialogue and expressed through the recommendations were not only covered by the Constitution and the wide range of existing national legal instruments, but were also being implemented in the context of the various Government programmes, including the national strategy for combating poverty. 468. Although Angola had accepted most of the recommendations, it expressed reservations with regard to recommendations 36–39, 43, 44, 98 and 99. In relation to recommendations 36 to 39, all of which related to a standing invitation for special procedures, the delegation indicated that collaboration with the Council’s procedures mechanism and also with the working groups and treaty bodies stemmed from the undertakings already made, based on the idea that cooperation was needed if dialogue was to be deepened within the context of the Council itself. Angola had reaffirmed its cooperation at its re-election to the Council; however, this cooperation could not be established outside the limits inherent to the principles established by the Charter of the United Nations. This being the case, invitations to the special procedures mechanism of the Council should only be initiated when the related missions were designed to deepen cooperation and strengthen institutional capacity, when the special procedures mandate holders undertook their activities within the strict limits of their mandates, and when the visits were organized with the consent of Angola and the programme and timetables approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 469. In relation to recommendations 43 and 44, referring to cooperation with OHCHR, Angola had excellent relations with the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Angola. The delegation stressed that cooperation must be strengthened within the context of the undertaking made by Angola when it was elected to the Council, relating to the accession of international instruments, cooperation with procedural mechanisms and the submission of reports to treaty bodies. 470. In relation to recommendations 98 and 99, the delegation stated that it was important to bear in mind that Angola’s legislation only recognized heterosexual and monogamous marriages. Additionally, the Constitution only makes reference to heterosexual and monogamous marriages. Moreover, there was no reference in Angola’s national law to the criminalization of homosexuality and therefore recommendations 98 and 99 could not be implemented. 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome 471. The United States of America expressed appreciation for the explanations given by Angola for its acceptance or rejection of the recommendations that had been made, and urged Angola to reconsider its rejection of the recommendation to decriminalize consensual same-sex activities between adults. It welcomed Angola’s willingness to strengthen the protection of journalists against harassment, attacks and arbitrary detention, and to establish fair and transparent media licensing procedures. It also welcomed Angola’s acceptance of the recommendation to consider a partnership in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and appreciated Angola’s willingness to consider ratifying the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocol thereto. 118 GE.12-17781