A/HRC/18/2 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the universal periodic review Council on the review outcome 416. Algeria praised the frankness of the delegation of Latvia when describing the problems and shortcomings that it faced. It appreciated the acceptance of a high number of recommendations, including two made by Algeria: to raise the status of the Ombudsman to that of a national human rights institution, and to pursue its efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly for women and children. Algeria referred to a third recommendation that was rejected regarding the ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, hoping that Latvia would review its position in view of the importance of this legal instrument for a vulnerable category of people and in accordance with recommendation 1737 adopted by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on 17 March 2006. 417. The Russian Federation was surprised that Latvia had rejected the recommendations to eliminate the system of non-citizenship and to simplify naturalization procedures for children and retired persons. It also referred to the partial rejection to grant immediately the right to non-citizens to participate fully in political life. It noted that codifying the prohibition of xenophobic and racist propaganda and instituting criminal liabilities for such activities, as well as ensuring the right of minorities to obtain information in their native language, were not being implemented as stated by Latvia. It called on Latvia to review its position on recommendations made by the international community and to take all the measures necessary to observe fully the rights of national minorities, and to eliminate the system of non-citizenship, structural discrimination, racial hatred and intolerance. 418. Estonia thanked Latvia for its open and constructive cooperation during the universal periodic review process. Estonia was pleased to note that Latvia had already implemented or intended to implement a large number of recommendations, including those on the continuation of measures for the protection of the rights of children and disabled persons and the promotion of gender equality. It also noted a continued improvement in prison conditions, and in the fight against racism, hate crimes and human trafficking. Having shared a similar historical experience with Latvia, Estonia wished to emphasize that the creation of a modern institutional system for the protection and promotion of human rights in only 20 years since its independence was a substantial achievement. It commended Latvia for its continuous success in promoting the issuance of standing invitations to special procedures. 419. The Republic of Moldova applauded the constructive engagement of Latvia with the universal periodic review. It welcomed Latvia’s pledge to issue a standing invitation to special procedures mandate holders and to actively promote them. The Republic of Moldova appreciated Latvia’s acceptance of its recommendations and welcomed its commitment to ensure the compliance of the Ombudsman institution with the Paris Principles. It praised Latvia’s commitment to earmark sufficient funds for all child protection programmes. It also noted with satisfaction Latvia’s commitment to the taking of appropriate measures to prosecute and punish perpetrators of trafficking in human beings and to the development of effective systems for the timely prevention of the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 420. The European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Federation (ILGAEurope) commended Latvia for having accepted recommendations to increase efforts to combat discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and to provide general information about anti-discrimination measures and to reform the curriculum in schools in order to provide information about gender equality, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and ethnic minorities, thus engaging in awareness-raising activities. ILGA- GE.12-17756 139