A/HRC/14/37 human rights principles and good governance. It noted the challenges faced by Iraq and praised it for the efforts made to consolidate development and enforce human rights. 572. Egypt noted with interest Iraq’s cooperation, openness and constructive dialogue with the Council. It commended the responses and comments made during the universal periodic review, which reflected Iraq’s political will to promote and protect human rights further, despite the challenges and difficulties it faced. Egypt commended the acceptance of most of the recommendations and the constructive dialogue between the Government and civil society concerning them. It also welcomed the voluntary commitments made by Iraq. Egypt called on the international community, and in particular the Council, to support Iraq’s efforts to achieve security and stability in accordance with the Iraqi people’s national priorities. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 573. The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies welcomed the acceptance of 135 of 176 recommendations, but noted the lack of improvement in the situation of Iraqi refugees, especially in neighbouring countries. Freedom of expression was increasingly repressed, and Iraq was one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Moreover, 60 per cent of Iraqis still lacked sufficient access to drinking water, and this situation, as well as other human rights concerns such as corruption, secret detention and torture, required urgent attention. 574. Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l’amitié entre les peuples stated that the first universal periodic review of Iraq had certainly not been fully objective, to the extent that established rules did not allow the taking into consideration of the human rights violations committed by the occupying Power, which was a violation of international law. It noted that Iraq had gained sovereignty at a high price; it was now a torn country in the grip of ethnic and religious conflicts. It referred to the broad margin that the Government of Iraq had to cover to improve human rights: ratification of conventions, cooperation with the Council, technical cooperation from OHCHR, and the establishment of a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles. It also expressed a positive projection with regard to the next four years. In this connection, it called on the United States of America, in the light of the inability of the Government to protect the residents of Camp Ashraf, to do so, in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention. 575. Human Rights Watch commended Iraq for supporting most recommendations, but noted that the real test would be their implementation. It asked the Government to ratify the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment and the Convention on Enforced Disappearance promptly, particularly in promptly in the light of evidence and reports of widespread torture and abuse of detainees. Human Rights Watch called on the Government to fully implement the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. Violence against women remained a serious problem and prosecutions were rare. Honour killings remained a serious threat to women. It regretted that the recommendations to investigate allegations of persecution based on sexual orientation and prosecute the perpetrators had not been supported. 576. The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network commended Iraq for accepting the recommendation to end extrajudicial killings of persons based on their sexual orientation. It referred to reports of assassinations, extrajudicial killings, torture, threats and forced exile suffered by persons on account of their sexual orientation. It recommended that Iraq should adopt legislation to protect people from crimes on grounds including sexual orientation, to prosecute those responsible, assist victims, and conduct public education and awarenessraising campaigns. It regretted Iraq’s rejection of recommendations to prosecute allegations of persecution based on sexual orientation. 134 GE.12-17781