A/HRC/11/19* and prisoners with children and where women are detained, put in place policies to ensure that all children are able to maintain contact with their mothers. 57. Colombia noted the importance of efforts aimed at institution building through the establishment and strengthening of public institutions. In this context with the reference made in the national report, Colombia asked for more information about functions and roles of the established Public Council for Migration. 58. Ireland expressed concerns about the ongoing intimidation and murder of human rights defenders including lawyers, media and NGOs and noted the murders of Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Baburova. Ireland asked about the steps taken to ensure that persons dealing with human rights can be allowed to operate effectively. Ireland recommended that increased efforts are made by the Russian authorities to ensure that those responsible for murder in the above mentioned cases are brought to justice immediately and that violent attacks and intimidation against human right defenders are brought to an end. While Ireland welcomed efforts to implement recommendations from the Special Rapporteur on racism and others including the inclusion of a provision on ethnic hatred in the Criminal Code, it expressed concern about the increase in violent racist attacks and murders of minorities, as well intimidation and arbitrary arrest. It asked about steps to increase educational programs to promote tolerance and to train law enforcement to deal with such issues. Ireland recommended that Russia develops a strong institutional framework that will help to combat racism and create an atmosphere of racial tolerance in Russian society. 59. Denmark while noting CAT’s concern on allegations of torture and that Special Rapporteur on torture was not been able to visit North Caucasus under usual terms of operation, asked how Russia is addressing the issue. Denmark recommended that the Government steps up its efforts to combat torture, inter alia, by effectively addressing the concerns of CAT; and extend a recommendation to the Special Rapporteur on torture to visit North Caucuses under his usual terms of operation. Denmark noted concerns regarding the rights of indigenous communities from the North, Siberia and the Far East, as highlighted by CERD. It asked for more information and recommended that Russia implements the recommendations raised by CERD as to how to improve the situation of the indigenous communities. 60. Japan asked about the current status of activities of the Public Chamber established in 2005 in order to strengthen the ties between the State and citizens, to protect freedoms and rights, and to reflect diverse views in policy and law making. It enquired if the NGO law which was amended in 2006 to increase state oversight of domestic NGOs is currently administrated. Japan asked about the current effects of the Anti-Corruption Council that was established May 2008 and the Federal Anti-Corruption Law that was adopted in December 2008 and how effective they are likely to be in the future. It further enquired about the situation related to the insecurity of journalists and concerns over the closure of independent media outlets and an increase of State control of major media in recent years and what measures Russia is taking to address the situation. Japan recommended to submit as quickly as possible information on alleged forced disappearances cases to the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. Japan mentioned that it would appreciate information on measures taken against racially motivated violence against foreign citizens and ethnic minorities. 61. Norway appreciated the high level of cooperation with the United Nations Human Rights system and strongly noted that human rights defenders play an important role on fostering a culture of human rights. It remained concerned about the vulnerable situation of human defenders, journalists and lawyers working in the defence of human rights. Norway recommended that crimes and violations against human right defenders and journalists are effectively investigated and prosecuted, and that those responsible are punished. GE.09-16259 13

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