A/HRC/17/2 of bilingual education, the continuation of the successful integration policy and the efforts to improve the knowledge of the State language by the non-Estonian population. Latvia was also pleased to note that Estonia had participated in the universal periodic review process in good faith and demonstrated its readiness and willingness to discuss its human rights record. 666. Morocco stated that the universal periodic review had provided an opportunity to recognize the State’s progress, particularly in the area of social integration, gender equality and humanitarian actions, including voluntary contributions to various funds. It welcomed the acceptance by Estonia of two recommendations made by Morocco, on strengthening measures to combat sexist stereotypes affecting women and on the acceleration of activities of one of the existing national human rights institutions to bring it into line with the Paris Principles. It also expressed its appreciation for Estonia’s progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. 667. Lithuania noted with satisfaction the responses of Estonia to its recommendations. Estonia’s answers to questions and its position on recommendations had displayed Estonia’s determination to guarantee the highest human rights standards for all groups of its population. It stated that the creation of a human rights protection and promotion system in a short period after its independence was a major achievement. Lithuania was convinced that Estonia would use the results of the universal periodic process to further advance its human rights policies and practices. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 668. Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme welcomed Estonia’s determination to create national cohesion. It encouraged Estonia to pursue an inclusive policy with regard to its linguistic and national minorities. Estonia’s measures for unemployed Russian speakers would lead to progress in their integration into the labour market. It was, however, concerned about poor detention conditions in some penitentiary establishments. It encouraged Estonia to improve its national legislation to combat human trafficking. Given the increase in the number of asylum seekers, in-depth work had been carried out to ensure that asylum seekers enjoyed their fundamental rights. The organization took note with interest of the work undertaken by Estonia to improve the conditions of women facing discrimination and violence. 669. Conscience and Peace Tax International welcomed Estonia’s acceptance of the recommendation on the right to conscientious objection to military service. It regretted the fact that Estonia had not yet ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. It was important for Estonia to examine the extent to which the information in Child Soldiers Global reports on the activities of the youth wings of the National Defence Leagues were true and was compatible with the Optional Protocol. 670. COC Netherlands commended Estonia for having accepted various recommendations on sexual orientation and gender identity, including public awarenessraising campaigns on gender identity and sexual orientation issues for civil servants, including security forces and education programmes, and for the measures taken to combat discrimination against homosexuals. It recommended that Estonia should pay special attention to discrimination on the basis of gender identity. It encouraged Estonia to allow the change of gendered identification documents without the prerequisite State-prescribed medical treatment. COC Netherlands regretted the fact that Estonia had not accepted the recommendations to accord the same rights and responsibilities to same-sex partners as to opposite-sex partners and recommended that Estonia should reconsider its position to these recommendations. GE.12-13630 183