A/HRC/11/27 Page 13 lawyers must receive a prompt response and adequate measures for their safety should be taken; (b) Mexico improve the existing protection programme, including through adopting effective and comprehensive prevention strategies, at central and local levels, to prevent attacks and protect the life and physical integrity of human rights defenders and journalists, and that such programmes be backed by a strong political commitment and provided with adequate resources; and (c) NGOs working on press freedom be invited to a constructive dialogue on how Mexico can stop the violence against journalists and ensure press freedom. 52. China stressed that Mexico faces difficulties in its economic and social development and noted efforts to develop the economy and eliminate poverty and improve people’s standard of living and social security, and the progress made regarding environmental protection and the rights to education, health and culture. China asked how Mexico has integrated MDGs in its national development plan or strategy, and what challenges it has faced in this regard. While noting that Mexico was one of the first countries to adopt special programmes to help people living in extreme poverty, China asked whether the number of affected people was more than halved in ten years and whether Mexico has any experience to share in this regard. 53. Finland welcomed the abolition of death penalty in 2005 and Mexico’s commitment to push forward important reform processes in the justice sector, stressing the lack of access to justice, particularly in states and for indigenous peoples. Finland recommended (a) that the human rights of indigenous peoples be placed high on the agenda when addressing questions of impunity and that access to justice be improved for indigenous peoples, including by strengthening public defence for indigenous peoples and providing better translation services. It asked how the law on the protection of women from violence has proceeded in states, and how the Federal Government has been able to ensure its proper implementation. It recommended that Mexico (b) bolster the Special Prosecutor’s Office on Violent Crime against Women and Human Trafficking so that it may better investigate cases, and that cases falling within local jurisdiction be investigated with due diligence. 54. Ireland recommended that Mexico (a) assist and encourage the Federal state’s authorities to implement the General Act on Women’s Access to a Life Free of Violence as a matter of urgency and, where the General Act has been incorporated in states’ legislation, ensure that appropriate regulations are elaborated to ensure its effective implementation. Ireland expressed concern at the continued use of military courts to investigate and try military abuses of human rights and noted that the military has taken on a policing role in many states. It recommended (b) reviewing the Code of Military Justice with a view to extending the jurisdiction of civil courts in cases involving violations of human rights by the military, in order to align more closely with international human rights obligations. Concerned at the high numbers of prisoners who have yet to be sentenced, Ireland recommended (c) devoting sufficient resources to the criminal justice and prison systems in an effort to reduce the sentencing backlog. Stressing that the practice of “arraigo” could be characterized as a form of arbitrary detention, it recommended (d) that Mexico evaluate its use. 55. Italy highlighted Mexico’s efforts to reform the judicial system to tackle organized crime and put an end to impunity. Italy recommended (a) that the ongoing reforms in the judicial system be conducted in strict conformity with international human rights standards and that civil society be adequately involved in this process; (b) that measures against corruption and police abuses be strengthened; and (c) that human rights aspects be included in all training programmes and be extended to all police units. Italy enquired about the results of the investigations conducted so far in the murder of women in Ciudad Juárez. It recommended that (d) these crimes