A/HRC/30/12 44. Poland welcomed efforts of the United States to comply with the recommendations made during the first review cycle. 45. Portugal was concerned at recent cases where executions by lethal injections had inflicted cruel punishment. 46. The Republic of Korea praised efforts to raise public awareness of human rights. 47. The Republic of Moldova welcomed measures aimed at greater protection for juvenile offenders. 48. The Czech Republic appreciated the consultations preceding the national report. 49. The Russian Federation regretted that the United States had paid insufficient attention to the recommendations made during the first review cycle. 50. Rwanda welcomed the increasing number of states that had abolished the death penalty. 51. Senegal noted the support of the United States to African countries affected by Ebola. 52. Serbia praised initiatives to expand access to health care. 53. Sierra Leone was concerned at protracted detentions and racial discrimination. 54. Singapore acknowledged efforts of the United States to comply with the recommendations made during the first review cycle. 55. Slovakia noted a moratorium on the death penalty on an ad hoc basis by the Federal Government. 56. Slovenia noted challenges, particularly non-discrimination, the prohibition of torture and mass surveillance. 57. The United States noted its view that torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment are absolutely prohibited at all times and in all places under both international law and United States domestic law. 58. President Obama issued an executive order ending the Central Intelligence Agency’s detention and interrogation programme and directing humane treatment of individuals detained in armed conflict. The United States has investigated allegations of torture or mistreatment since 11 September 2001. 59. In combating terrorism, the United States remains firmly committed to upholding its international obligations. 60. The United States is party to a number of human rights treaties and continues to explore whether and how to ratify additional treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women. 61. While it is not at this time considering becoming a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the United States does engage with States parties on issues of concern, consistent with the requirements of United States law. 62. United States intelligence activities are authorized pursuant to a framework based on the rule of law, whereby statutes and other authorities established through democratic institutions govern its activities. United States intelligence collection programmes and activities are subject to stringent and multilayered oversight mechanisms. 63. Although the United States has federal laws and laws in the majority of states authorizing the death penalty for the most serious crimes that are within constitutional 6