A/HRC/16/2 Nations special procedures. Therefore, though it would consider extending a standing invitation in the future, it firmly believed that the first stage in this process is to build the capacity and knowledge of all relevant stakeholders. 331. With regard to allegations of torture, Liberia continued to investigate and prosecute State actors accused of torture and had instituted human rights education and training for relevant authorities. In addition, Liberia was currently considering the adoption of an antitorture bill. The draft bill, which was presented to the House of Representatives in August of 2010, was presented for discussion during the January 2011 session. 332. Liberia also informed the Human Rights Council that the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment had carried out a visit to the country in December 2010. Since the visit, the preliminary report of the Subcommittee had been distributed and the country was currently considering ways to incorporate the Subcommittee’s recommendations into programmes to improve conditions in detention centres and to protect citizens from torture and ill-treatment. 333. On questions raised regarding ethnic-based discrimination, Liberia was aware of the need to handle ethnic-based violence and disputes with cultural sensitivity while ensuring that all citizens receive equal treatment under the law. 334. Liberia provided information on measures taken to implement universal periodic review recommendations and to examine recommendations it had deferred. 335. First, it had accelerated the process for drafting and adopting the national human rights action plan for Liberia, and adopted a number of initiatives, including finalizing the workplan for nationwide consultation workshops. 336. Second, it had distributed the draft report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review to all relevant Government and non-governmental institutions, identifying priorities and issues for special focus. Identified priorities would be a part of the nationwide consultation and would be included in the national human rights action plan. 337. Third, it had established links with other national planning activities and working groups to implement the universal periodic review recommendations, including Government organs and bodies working to implement recommendations concerning the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 338. Fourth, in collaboration with the United Nations, the Government had conducted a retreat on pretrial detention to determine what needed to be done to improve the work of the task force on pretrial detention. 339. Liberia then addressed recommendations on which it had deferred taking a position. It observed that it had accepted 72 of 113 recommendations received. 340. Liberia was not able to take a position on deferred recommendations on the ratification of human rights instruments; female genital mutilation and trial by ordeal; and the 2008 law on the death penalty. Furthermore, it was not able to take a position on the implementation of some of the recommendations of the truth and reconciliation commission, sexual and gender-based gender violence, and pretrial detention 341. On the ratification of human rights instruments, Liberia reiterated that it was in the process of researching the full extent of its regional and international obligations and taking steps to submit overdue reports. It was thus currently unable to take a position on recommendations relating to the ratification and incorporation of international human rights conventions. However, as evidenced in accepted recommendations, it would consider ratifying human rights instruments. GE.11-17059 151