A/HRC/17/2 697. Amnesty International welcomed Paraguay’s support for the majority of universal periodic review recommendations in particular those regarding the protection of the human rights of indigenous peoples. It pointed out the importance of the State’s commitment to complying with the judgements by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on the land rights of the Yakye Axa, Sawhoyamaxa and Xakmok Kasek indigenous communities. Amnesty International expressed its concern, however, that Paraguay had failed to comply fully with the judgements, and urged the Government to present a clear plan of action to achieve a definitive solution for these communities. It welcomed Paraguay’s support for two recommendations regarding the socioeconomic disparities affecting indigenous populations. 698. Conscience and Peace Tax International welcomed the acceptance by Paraguay of the recommendation that it ensure the effective exercise of the right to conscientious objection, and that no minor is recruited into the armed forces. It also pointed out that, in 1994, Paraguay had agreed to exempt conscientious objectors from military service until the law had established a body to organize alternative service. In 2010, the gap was filled by Law No. 4013, which contains worrying elements such as, inter alia, the fact that recognized conscientious objectors are now required to perform alternative service or to pay a large fee. It called upon Paraguay to review the features of the new law and to repeal its retrospective elements. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 699. The delegation of Paraguay was grateful for the comments, concerns and recommendations, and recalled the full commitment of its authorities to ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights, despite all challenges. B. General debate on agenda item 6 700. At its 21st meeting, on 9 June 2011, the Human Rights Council held a general debate on agenda item 6, during which the following made statements: (a) Representatives of States Members of the Human Rights Council: Brazil, China, Cuba, Ecuador, France, Hungary (on behalf of the European Union), Malaysia, Norway, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland; (b) Representatives of observer States: Colombia, Indonesia, Italy, Turkey; (c) Observers for non-governmental organizations: Action internationale pour la paix et le développement dans la région des Grands Lacs, Amnesty International, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (also on behalf of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative and the Habitat International Coalition), Colombian Commission of Jurists, Comité international pour le respect et l’application de la Charte africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples, International Service for Human Rights, Reporters sans frontières international – Reporters without Borders International. C. Consideration of and action on draft proposals Nauru 701. At the 15th meeting, on 7 June 2011, the Human Rights Council adopted draft decision 17/101 without a vote (for the text as adopted, see part one, chapter II). GE.12-13630 187

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