A/HRC/16/2 domestic violence and violence against women, and encouraged Honduras to strengthen the protection system. Furthermore, it commended efforts to enhance gender equality. It welcomed the fact that Honduras was in the process of promoting human rights education and training, and encouraged Honduras to incorporate human rights education in school curricula. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 528. The World Organization against Torture welcomed the establishment of the Secretariat of State for Justice and Human Rights, the announcement regarding the creation of a special unit to investigate crimes against journalists and hate crimes against lesbians and gays, and the financial support for the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights. Nevertheless, it regretted that attacks and threats against and harassment of human rights defenders continued, especially from military intelligence. It welcomed the draft laws to guarantee the independence of the judiciary. It regretted, however, the prevalence of high levels of impunity. 529. Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice was concerned about the poor quality of education in the country and recommended that Honduras take concrete actions to increase budget allocations and to provide subsidies to the poorest families. It was of the view that the measures taken to tackle violence against children, domestic abuse and trafficking had been insufficient, and encouraged the implementation of relevant laws and the prosecution of perpetrators. It also recommended that Honduras conduct awareness-raising campaigns to prevent and combat the economic exploitation of children. It encouraged Honduras to provide adequate housing, nutrition, health care and educational opportunities to the approximately 10,000 children living in street situations. 530. Federatie van Nederlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie Van Homoseksualiteit (COC Netherlands) regretted that crimes against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, transvestite and intersex communities were systematic and on the increase, a situation that was worsened by the intolerance and hatred against members of that community. COC Netherlands called for the investigations of recent killings of members of the above-mentioned communities and for measures to ensure adequate, prompt and transparent investigations of killings, intimidations and other abuses against the said communities. 531. The International Federation of Human Rights Leagues was concerned that Honduras had not taken sufficient actions to combat impunity and instead appointed to Government posts high-level military officers involved in the institutional crisis of 2009. It also regretted that no measures had been taken to reinstate the judges dismissed in May 2010. It noted that the Government had not accepted recommendations concerning action against gender discrimination, discrimination against vulnerable groups and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, even though violence against these groups was on the increase. It called on Honduras to accept, as soon as possible, all recommendations and to manifestly express its commitment to translate these recommendations into concrete action to ensure to all Hondurans the enjoyment of their human rights. 532. Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme recalled that Honduras had endured a major political upheaval in recent years. National legislation should be brought into line with international norms to effectively address issues such as torture, enforced disappearance and the sexual and commercial exploitation of children. While it welcomed the creation of the Secretariat for Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Affairs, it considered that more needed to be done to combat racial discrimination. It hoped that more would be achieved to address impunity and prosecute extrajudicial killings, and encouraged Honduras to strengthen the role of the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights GE.11-17059 179

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