A/HRC/9/15 page 15 47. The extension of the mandate of the TRC to December 2008 is welcomed. The independent expert is further encouraged by the commitments made in the PRSP and other programmes to ensure equitable distribution of funds and services. Progress has been made towards the establishment of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights and the law reform commission. VII. GAPS AND CONCERNS 48. The Government and its partners should take all measures to ensure that discrimination and marginalization in political and economic terms, as well as access to effective justice, are addressed so that the mistakes of the past, which had such tragic consequences, are not repeated. The Government has drafted and is in the course of implementing programmes in the area of economic and social rights and this implementation needs to be constantly monitored and evaluated so that any needed adjustments can be made promptly. There is a great need to move forward with a national conference on the rule of law with the assistance of UNMIL so that a national policy and framework can be put in place. 49. The domestication of international human rights instruments, many of which were acceded to in 2005, is crucial to an effective national human rights protection system so that citizens can enjoy these rights at the national level. The political will required to move this process must be demonstrated and civil society can play a pivotal advocacy role in this context. VIII. CONCLUSIONS 50. The Government of Liberia faces serious challenges in rebuilding its economy and society and in meeting its obligations to respect, protect and fulfil human rights guarantees. Some progress has been made, notably with the elaboration of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, and ongoing plans by various line ministries have the potential to contribute to the enjoyment of human rights and the delivery of basic services. 51. Since the inauguration of the present Government in 2006 remarkable progress has been achieved. A milestone in this process was the successful launching of the Poverty Reduction Strategy in Berlin in June 2008. Indicators for key economic and social growth continue to improve, with economic growth close to 10 per cent. School enrolment has also risen. In addition, Liberia actually reached the decision point under the enhanced HIPC initiative for debt relief in March 2008. Nonetheless, in spite of this progress the situation in Liberia remains fragile. 52. A joint Government and United Nations security assessment in all 15 counties carried out in May 2007 indicates that there is an urgent need to improve the institutional capacity of the national security and rule of law agencies. Many Liberians continue to have little confidence in the Liberian National Police and the justice system, and as a result some people resort to extrajudicial measures including mob violence. There are still too many gender-related violent crimes such as rape.