A/HRC/18/12 in 2007 that Suriname should recognize, among others, collective rights to land of the Saramaka people. 16. In that connection, the delegation indicated that Suriname had implemented several aspects of the Court’s judgment; other aspects called for more in-depth consultation with the communities concerned. Accordingly, the Government held weekly consultations with the representative authorities of Maroons and indigenous peoples on the land right issues. The consultations would continue in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and the private sector. 17. Implementation of the part of the judgment, which dealt with the amendment of laws and regulations, was pending. Suriname had requested information and technical assistance on best practices regarding the drafting of legislation on the issue and procedures to be enacted, including consultation procedures. In that regard, the delegation referred to the visit of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people, James Anaya, to Suriname. He had shared his views with the Government of Suriname, and his report contained valuable insights on how to proceed in the matter. 18. Furthermore, the delegation stated that the Government of Suriname was considering convening a national conference on the issue. Suriname was determined to provide equitable treatment and equal opportunities to all of its citizens, and that would be the guiding principle in analysing information and reports and taking decisions. 19. The Netherlands had also asked in its advance questions whether Suriname was prepared to repeal dead letter laws restricting family planning activities and abortion services, as recommended by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in January 2007. The delegation indicated that the issue of abortion was still a highly controversial one, on which national consensus had not yet been reached. 20. The delegation indicated that the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland had raised several issues regarding the position of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. The question had been posed as to which measures Suriname took in order to protect the rights of sexual minorities and to promote their emancipation. The delegation stated that the Surinamese law protected individuals against discrimination and that article 8 of the Constitution stipulated that nobody may be discriminated against. As to the specific question regarding LGBT persons, the delegation underlined that the matter had the Government’s attention. The main course of action would be to initiate a general discussion on that sensitive issue, involving all actors in society, including religious organizations and LGBT platform groups and individuals. 21. As for the question from Norway regarding the timeframe in which Suriname intended to ratify and implement the International Labour Organization Convention No. 169 (1989) concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries, the delegation stated that the essence of that Convention was the recognition of the rights of indigenous people, including their collective land rights. Given the current state of affairs in relation to the consultative process, Suriname was not yet able to ratify the Convention No. 169. 22. For other question from Norway in relation to one of the 2007 recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child concerning the establishment, as soon as possible, of an Ombudsperson or other independent body for the monitoring and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the delegation informed that draft legislation on the establishment of a Children’s Ombudsbureau had been submitted to the State Council. After the State Council’s input had been received, the draft legislation would be submitted to the Parliament for approval. 5