A/HRC/8/23 Page 12 human rights defenders in June 2007 and the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture in November 2007, at the invitation of the Indonesian Government. It also welcomed the improvement in the human rights situation in Aceh since the 2005 Peace Agreement, as noted by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders. However, many challenges remain, particularly in Papua. It also noted the concerns raised by the above-mentioned special procedures following their visits, including violations suffered by human rights defenders and police abuse of detainees in custody in various parts of Indonesia. The United Kingdom requested information on how Indonesia intended to take forward the recommendations on human rights defenders and to respond to concerns raised by the Special Rapporteur on the question on torture, including police abuse of detainees in custody and serious overcrowding of prisons. It welcomed the expressed intention to strengthen efforts to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OP-CAT) and recommended that Indonesia ratify it at the earliest opportunity. It welcomed information provided on the involvement of civil society in the preparation of Indonesia’s national report for the Universal Periodic Review and recommended that civil society also be fully involved in the follow-up to this session. 51. The United Kingdom further noted that it had submitted a question in advance regarding threats against Ahmadiyyah families following a fatwa banning the Ahmadiyyah and recommended further measures by Indonesia to address this issue. It also noted that the death penalty continues to be applied in Indonesia, and recommended to the Government that it be abolished. 52. The Netherlands also acknowledged that much had been achieved by Indonesia in the area of human rights, noting that as a developing country, Indonesia paid much attention to education and children’s and women’s rights. It also noted with appreciation the additional information on political and civil rights provided in the national report and in its oral presentation. Regarding the cultural and ethnic diversity of the country, it asked how Indonesia will protect human rights defenders in Papua and on how it prevents discrimination against ethnic and other minorities. It also recommended the lifting of reservations to a number of human rights treaties, and asked that OPCAT be ratified at Indonesia’s earliest possible convenience. It further welcomed Indonesia’s efforts to bring its national legislation in line with its international obligations and would recommend the inclusion of the prohibition of torture in its Criminal Code. 53. The Netherlands further recommended that Indonesia’s efforts would be rounded off by a standing invitation to all special procedures. 54. The Republic of Korea welcomed all measures taken by Indonesia to enhance the enjoyment of human rights in the country, as well as the preparation and implementation of the Second National Action Plan (2004-2009). It also noted positive developments in the area of civil and political rights, including freedom of opinion, freedom of religion, political freedoms such as the freedom of election, and the growth of civil society that enables a stronger involvement of NGOs in the policy-making process. While noting the quality of the national report, the Republic of Korea also noted that recent developments and challenges of economic, social and cultural rights were not properly included as an independent part of the national report, as prescribed by the guidelines. While welcoming the explanation given by Indonesia regarding recent initiatives to revise criminal law it asked if Indonesia had a specific plan to include torture as a crime in the Criminal Code. It also asked if the Government has any concrete plan to strengthen measures to better protect the human rights of indigenous people, in particular in the process of exploitation of natural resources. 55. The United States of America referred to the use of civil and criminal defamation laws and tools for silencing dissenting voices and noted the vital role of the news media in creating broad awareness of political, economic and social issues, and asked what plans there are, if any, to amend