A/HRC/WG.6/5/L.5
page 15
infrastructure, corruption and misappropriation of public funds. Nigeria thereby called on the
international community to provide the Congo with much-needed technical and financial assistance
as well as capacity-building for the promotion and protection of human rights for its people.
58.
Canada urged the Congo to ensure that democracy and rule of law, the two pillars of good
governance, are respected. Canada recommended that the Congo (a) step up its efforts to make the
community aware of the risks of HIV and establish a campaign to increase awareness among young
people. It also recommended that the Congo (b) open an inquiry as soon as possible into all
allegations of torture and of deaths in detention, and prosecute and convict those who have
committed acts of torture in prisons or other places of detention and (c) establish a program to
monitor places of detention and a training programme with respect to human rights for staff
working in places of detention. It further recommended that the Congo (d) adopt measures, together
with NGOs and anti-corruption groups, to combat corruption, in particular in the judicial system,
and promote respect for human rights. Canada requested more information on the arrests of two
anti-corruption activists, Christian Mounzeo and Brice Mackosso.
59.
The Czech Republic recommended that the Congo (a) ensure the independence of judiciary,
improve access to justice and (b) provide specific training aimed at the protection of human rights
in particular of women, children and persons of minority ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender
identity to all law enforcement and judicial officials. Regarding protection from torture, it
commended the Congo for signing CAT-OP in 2008 and recommended (c) early ratification of
CAT-OP and the establishment of a national preventive mechanism. Further in this area, it
recommended the following: (d) review conditions in all prisons and detention facilities with a view
of ensuring their compliance with the Minimum Standards of Treatment of Prisoners, in particular
to establish separate juvenile detention facilities; (e) ensure effective investigation of and
accountability for all cases of torture and death in detention. As to the protection of human rights of
asylum seekers, it recommended that the Congo (f) prepare and adopt a national legislation
establishing an effective asylum procedure and ensuring protection of all human rights of these
persons and (g) decriminalize same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults and adopt
measures to promote tolerance in this regard, which would also facilitate more effective educational
programmes for the prevention of HIV/AIDS.
60.
Senegal noted in the report the challenges the Congo faces with regard the promotion and
protection of human rights in various areas such as education, health care, judiciary, human rights
legislation, and assistance to vulnerable persons. It commended the spirit of openness and the
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