A/HRC/18/9 19. Latvia is making significant efforts to improve conditions of detention and ensure compliance with international standards. Substantial efforts have been made to implement the Government policy on resocialization of inmates and efficient functioning of the Probation Service is a priority in order to extend the use of alternative sanctions. 20. Latvia indicated that the definition of torture was included in the Criminal Law in 2009. A special unit within the State police has been assigned to investigate allegations of ill-treatment by the police. Regular steps are also taken to improve the quality of investigation and training. 21. The procedure to amend the relevant legislation regarding the abolition of the death penalty in times of war is underway. 22. Children have always been a priority for Latvia. An effective children’s rights protection system is in place and the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Children’s Rights is the main institution for monitoring compliance with children’s rights. The delegation mentioned other institutions, such as the Orphans Courts as well as a hotline providing psychological support to children and teenagers. Latvia has developed a specific policy planning document to address the problem of juvenile delinquency. Local governments address the issue of availability of public kindergartens and the Government has made significant efforts to maintain the system of social benefits for families. 23. Latvia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol in 2010, and adopted an action plan for its implementation. National law already prohibits discrimination based on disability. A special working group composed of Government institutions, the Office of the Ombudsman and NGOs worked on the draft guidelines for implementing the Convention. In 2011, there was a slight increase in the employment of disabled persons. Latvia mentioned various ongoing activities relating to environment accessibility for disabled persons. 24. Latvia has introduced a strategy and information campaigns for preventing human trafficking, including on the risks of marriages of convenience. The police work with the representatives of vulnerable groups at risk of being trafficked and border guards are trained to identify possible cases of trafficking. Victims of trafficking are provided psychological rehabilitation, legal and medical support through good cooperation with NGOs. 25. The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) is the leading specialized anti-corruption authority since 2002. Its aim is to fight corruption in a coordinated and comprehensive way. Several proposals to improve its efficiency have been recently submitted and a working group had been set up in this respect. 26. Although Latvia is determined to continue cooperation with international organizations, its current human and institutional capacity is limited. As such, Latvia is very cautious about ratifying new instruments. Although Latvia is proud of its human rights record and achievements, it understands that there is still room for improvement and development, as human rights are not static, but rather reflect the challenges faced by society at the given moment in time. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 27. During the interactive dialogue, 43 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue can be found in section II of the present report. 28. The Russian Federation stated that the documents submitted for the UPR testify to the continued discriminatory policy directed to Russian-speaking permanent residents in Latvia. 327,000 people, or 14 percent of the population, are “non-citizens”. Non-citizens 5