A/HRC/26/8 governance. While all such values were enshrined in Yemen’s heritage and culture, they had occasionally been abused or neglected in practice. 8. The delegation noted that the Government of National Reconciliation, formed in late 2011 following the signing of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative and its Implementation Mechanism, was inspired by the principles and values of the revolution and the international human rights standards reflected in Security Council resolutions 2014 and 2051 and incorporated in the Government programme for the transitional phase. The Government had called on the international community to assist it in meeting its humanitarian and development needs at that complex and difficult stage. The delegation urged Yemenis to support the political settlement and the national reconciliation. 9. The delegation stated that the cases of southern Yemen and Saada had been the most complex issues faced by the National Dialogue Conference due to the injustices that had been ongoing there for more than a decade. All parties and political and social forces had eventually reached a consensus on core issues, such as the type of State envisaged, the nature of the political system and the criteria for the distribution of wealth and power. A consensus had been reached on transitioning from a centralized State to a federal structure. A balanced distribution of power and wealth between the centre and the periphery would be specified in the new Constitution. 10. The delegation expressed pride at the successful conclusion of the National Dialogue Conference after ten months. It was fully aware that while some legal commitments had been fulfilled, the achievement of basic human rights in the period ahead presented major challenges in the areas of security, stability, construction and development. Work would now proceed on a new constitution focusing on good governance, the rule of law, the promotion of democracy and human rights. High priority would be given to those challenges by the Ministry of Human Rights, other government agencies with human rights responsibilities and civil society organizations, with the support of the regional and international communities and the United Nations. 11. The delegation highlighted the most important achievements outlined in its report, namely submission of the draft law on the national human rights institution based on the Paris Principles to the House of Representatives. It emphasized the important role played by advocacy and pressure by human rights bodies in ensuring the speedy enactment of laws, such as the Transitional Justice Act, accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CPED) and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). 12. The delegation emphasized that the Government had complied with its obligation regarding the marriageable age and stated that the bill was pending before Parliament. The House of Representatives was discussing the bill on human trafficking, and the Government would shortly submit bills on enforced disappearances, the Optional Protocol to CAT, the Protocol against trafficking in human beings and others aimed at the protection and promotion of human rights. 13. The delegation emphasized that priority attention was being given to the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups such as women, children, people with disabilities, minorities and refugees. A Yemeni delegation had recently met with the Committee on the Rights of the Child to discuss the country’s third periodic report, and the Committee’s recommendations would be implemented. The eighth periodic report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was also due to be reviewed. The prominent participation of Yemeni women in public life was an important achievement, and women would doubtlessly make a significant contribution to public life in the future. Their role was currently based on constitutional guarantees and would eventually be reflected in other laws and public policies and programmes. 4