A/HRC/17/2 583. The outcome of the review of the Niger comprised the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/17/15), the views of the Niger concerning the recommendations and/or conclusions, and its voluntary commitments and replies presented before the adoption of the outcome by the plenary to questions or issues that were not sufficiently addressed during the interactive dialogue in the Working Group (see also A/HRC/17/15/Add.1). 1. Views expressed by the State under review on the recommendations and/or conclusions, its voluntary commitments and the outcome 584. The Niger recalled that it had received 112 recommendations, 77 of which had been accepted immediately, 33 were postponed and 2 rejected. After its review, the Niger had organized a workshop on the review for various stakeholders, including decision makers, opinion leaders, administrative officials and civil society. 585. The Niger had presented its report in a context of transition characterized by the organization of six votes and the establishment of new democratically elected authorities, which explained the limits faced within the consultations on the 33 pending recommendations. 586. In this regard, consultations had begun on the ratification of certain human rights instruments. The same applied to recommendations concerning torture and the death penalty, where significative progress had been made. Torture was clearly prohibited within the legal framework, but its criminalization had to be formalized in a legal text. With regard to the death penalty, several awareness-raising meetings had been broadcast on television and the process was continuing. 587. Advocacy for the lifting of reservations made to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was under way and a draft personal statute was under discussion. Regarding violence against women and children and access to justice for victims of gender-based violence, in addition to the existing legal framework, numerous actions had been undertaken. 588. The Niger had accepted the recommendations concerning the ratification of certain human rights instruments (78.1 to 78.7, 78.11, 78.12, 78.21 to 78.26, and 78.29). It had also accepted the recommendations on torture and the abolition of the death penalty (78.5 and 78.21 to 78.30). The recommendations on the reservations to the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women, violence against women and children, and access to justice for victims of gender-based violence (78.7 to 78.10, 78.12, 78.17 to 78.20, and 78.31 to 78.33) had also been accepted. 589. Of the 33 recommendations pending, 29 had been accepted and 4 were rejected. Those rejected concerned indigenous populations and open and standing invitations to special procedures (recommendations 78.13 to 78.16). Regarding the indigenous population, the Niger did not discriminate against any ethnic groups or communities, and ensured equal promotion of all cultures through actions in favour of unity, national cohesion and balanced socioeconomic development among all regions, despite the limited resources. Regarding special procedures, the Niger reaffirmed its readiness to consider any request by such bodies whenever necessary. 590. Overall, the Niger had accepted 106 recommendations of 112. This fact reflected its desire to respect the commitments arising from the review and to continue its collaboration with the Human Rights Council. The promotion and protection of human rights was a priority for the Niger, despite various economic constraints, the adversity of the environment and the weight of traditions. The Niger therefore remained open for all forms of cooperation for the implementation of the universal periodic review recommendations. 172 GE.12-13630