A/HRC/24/11 68. Portugal commended Canada for its commitment to human rights, values of freedom and democracy. It noted that some United Nations treaty bodies remained concerned that their recommendations were not being implemented. Portugal made recommendations. 69. Qatar commended Canada for improving the quality of education and health services and for its policies and legislation to protect human rights particularly the rights of persons with disabilities. It commended Canada’s establishment of a working group to provide job opportunities to persons with disabilities. 70. The Republic of Korea welcomed efforts to promote freedom of religion, including the creation of the Office of Religious Freedom, measures to fight human trafficking and measures to resolve questions related to Aboriginals. It made a recommendation. 71. The Republic of Moldova noted the efforts to combat trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation of children, including the adoption in 2012 of a national plan against trafficking and the Manitoba Strategy Responding to Children and Youth at Risk of, or Survivors of, Sexual Exploitation. It made recommendations. 72. Romania commended Canada for its consultations with civil society and expressed appreciation for the presentation of the national report. Romania made recommendations. 73. Canada is still considering OPCAT adherence, providing information on oversight of conditions in places of detention, allowing for access to recourse by independent panels and through the courts. 74. On peaceful assembly and policing, Canada noted that it respects the freedom to protest, with an expectation that participants will do so peacefully and with respect. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police routinely reaches out to organizers before an event. When de-escalation is not successful, the force used to manage a situation is always the lowest possible. When balance is not attained in this regard, Canada has independent review processes. 75. On incarceration, Canada acknowledged that Aboriginal Canadians continue to be overrepresented as victims, offenders and inmates. Courts consider alternatives to imprisonment of Aboriginal offenders, consistent with considerations of public safety. Examples include community-based approaches to justice, sentencing alternatives, and family and civil mediation services. 76. Correctional services and institutions across the country have specific policies and programmes to address the specific needs of ethno-cultural minority offenders. 77. On torture, Canada underscored that its obligations under article 3 are incorporated into Canadian law. Non-Canadians facing risks can also be seen as persons in need of protection and can apply to stay in Canada, and can stay their return to their country of origin if they are deemed to face serious risks following their removal. 78. Canada has a generous refugee system that provides a safe haven for those in need of protection, and a network of services to facilitate their integration. Some new developments have increased Canada’s ability to provide protection quickly to those in need: (a) accelerating timelines for determining an asylum claim to provide protection faster to those in need; and (b) designating countries of origin for priority processing. Canada reported that it had established a new refugee appeal division for eligible claims. 79. In conformity with the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, all asylum claimants receive a fair hearing to assess their claim on the basis of its merits before an independent semi-judicial tribunal (Immigration and Refugee Board), regardless of how or from where they arrived, exceeding the requirement of the Convention. Under this system, asylum claimants can have a 9