A/HRC/19/14 defenders, the use of the law on defamation to control the mass media and human rights violations in Marange diamond mining. It made recommendations. 46. The Russian Federation expressed appreciation that Zimbabwe had ratified the majority of core human rights instruments. It believed that the 2009 Constitutional amendments and the creation of the Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Public Protector would promote the strengthening of human rights protection. It made recommendations. 47. Japan welcomed the GPA. It expressed concern about election violence in 2008, censorship, delayed reporting to treaty bodies and the limited number of visits by special procedures that were accepted. Japan called for the timely establishment of a new Constitution, urged various reforms to ensure free and fair elections and encouraged the Government’s acceptance of election observers. Japan made recommendations. 48. China appreciated the achievements of Zimbabwe in HIV/AIDS prevention and literacy rates and the measures taken to eradicate discrimination, including against persons with disabilities, the elderly and women. China hoped that Zimbabwe would continue to implement its poverty-reduction strategy to promote comprehensive economic and social development. China called upon relevant countries to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe at an early date so that its people can better enjoy their human rights. 49. Australia remained deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Zimbabwe. It called for an end to politically motivated violence harassment and detention of parliamentarians and civil society members. Australia underlined the importance of the SADC efforts to facilitate a roadmap to credible elections in an environment free from intimidation and violence under a new Constitution. Australia made recommendations. 50. Canada stated that the last elections were marred by violence and that the perpetrators had yet to be brought to justice. Canada noted ongoing, politically motivated intimidation, including against religious groups. Canada urged Zimbabwe to enhance its efforts to improve the lives of women. Canada made recommendations. 51. Italy believed that future general and presidential elections should be well prepared with adequate guarantees of legality and transparency. Italy commented that freedom of expression and the press were still severely restricted. It wished to know about steps taken to protect the rights of people belonging to ethnic minorities, particularly in Matabeleland and it urged Zimbabwe to declare a moratorium on the death penalty. Italy made recommendations. 52. The Islamic Republic of Iran noted that despite economic challenges rising out of illegally imposed sanctions, Zimbabwe had achieved progress in promoting and protecting human rights. Iran asked Zimbabwe to explain the adverse effects that illegal sanctions had had on the country and on the enjoyment of human rights by the people. Iran made recommendations. 53. France underlined that, despite a de facto moratorium on executions, deaths sentences continued to be handed down and that the situation in terms of torture and illtreatment remained alarming. It took note of the establishment of a Human Rights Commission but indicated that it was not yet operational. France was concerned that the constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination were not implemented. France made recommendations. 54. On efforts made in the area of gender equality and the empowerment of women, Zimbabwe was party to key instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other regional instruments. An implementation framework for the 2004 National Gender Policy has been developed to guide the activities of various stakeholders in mainstreaming 8