A/HRC/11/27 Page 5 14. The delegation highlighted the Government’s launching of an in-depth-transformation of the criminal justice system with two main goals: ending impunity and strengthening the State capacities for crime prosecution, with full respect for human rights. In 2008 the Reform to Public Security and the Criminal Justice System set an accusatory system, and strengthened: the guarantees of due process; the presumption of innocence; full respect for victims’ rights; and effective protection against abuses by authorities. The reform consistent with the Palermo Convention reinforces the State capacities to investigate, prosecute and punish crimes, ensuring full respect of human rights. 15. In recent years there have been important improvements regarding access to public information and de-penalization of press crimes. The delegation shared the concerns about the security of journalists, stressing that violence threatening journalists and information providers comes from criminal organizations. The Federal Executive has just introduced a bill before Congress to make attacks against journalists a federal crime. 16. Combating torture is a government priority. The Constitution prohibits torture, and corresponding national and federal legislation has been enacted. Nevertheless, Mexico needs to harmonize laws against torture throughout the country, implement the Istanbul Protocol in all states and work, including with civil society, to create a national registry of allegations of torture. 17. The Constitution prohibits all forms of discrimination, and Mexico has a Federal Act to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination and a National Council for the Prevention of Discrimination on this issue. Discrimination against women, especially if it involves violence, is a main concern and a high priority, and Mexico is aware of the significant challenges in this domain. Most states have harmonized their laws with the General Act on Women’s Access to a Life Free From Violence, and have a state system against violence. Mexico has also put in place public policies in support of gender equality. In addition, the new General Act on Equality between Women and Men promotes women’s empowerment at the federal level in both the public and the private spheres. The federal Special Prosecutor’s Office on Violent Crime against Women and Human Trafficking has initiated several investigations. Training and awarenessraising programmes for the judiciary have been developed. Particular indignation was expressed by many regarding the killing of women, especially the cases in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. The State institutions will work with civil society to fully address these crimes and to prevent them. Both at the national level and in the case of Ciudad Juárez, important efforts are under way to enhance legislation and strengthen institutions and budgets 18. With regard to specific groups, the Federal Government has taken important steps in shifting from welfare to a rights-based approach. Access to health, freedom from violence and equal opportunities have to be provided to all children in Mexico, through the implementation of inter-institutional and comprehensive programmes for children focused on capacity-building, food, health and education. In recent years, a juvenile justice system has been established; despite some difficulties, its implementation is ongoing. 19. The country’s multiethnic composition and the rights of indigenous peoples are both recognized in the Constitution. Of 106 million Mexicans, 10 percent live in indigenous communities and many of them in poverty A variety of programmes are implemented to overcome this situation through the National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples. The 68 indigenous languages are recognized in the 2003 General Act on the Linguistic Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and therefore have the same status as Spanish. The National Institute of Indigenous Languages was created in 2005 to elaborate educational material,