A/HRC/14/3 close cooperation with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, special procedures and treaty bodies. It made recommendations. 53. The Russian Federation positively assessed developments in economic, political, judicial and social areas, and the implementation of programmes in poverty reduction, access to housing, the fight against illiteracy and poor health. It noted the efforts made to strengthen the national human rights system, its accession to a number of international human rights treaties and active participation in international cooperation, including in the Council. It made a recommendation. 54. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic welcomed the achievements in the implementation of the development strategy with a civil power model, citizen participation and consultation, aimed at reinforcing human rights by promoting national welfare and social equity. It commended the country’s compliance with its international human rights obligations. It welcomed the establishment of relevant institutions and mechanisms to promote and protect human rights. It made recommendations. 55. Mexico commended the efforts made to protect human rights, highlighting actions to eliminate poverty, promote universal access to health and education, and the drastic reduction in illiteracy. It urged the conclusion of the justice system reform. Mexico noted Nicaragua’s challenges regarding the application of international human rights standards, suggesting that it seek technical assistance from international and regional organizations. It asked about the results of the programmes to eliminate gender disparity, particularly regarding access to good working conditions, credits, land tenure and basic social services. It made recommendations. 56. The United Arab Emirates welcomed the efforts made in reconstruction and national unity. It noted Nicaragua’s interest in protection and promotion of human rights and that, despite difficult economic conditions, Nicaragua placed citizens at the centre of development efforts. It enquired about Nicaragua’s efforts to enhance education as guaranteed by the Constitution. 57. Panama noted its historical political, economic and cultural ties with Nicaragua. It commended Nicaragua for establishing special procurators for children and juveniles, indigenous peoples, persons living with disabilities and persons deprived of their liberty, and the special procurator for citizens’ participation. Panama also commended it for ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and implementing the “love programme”, providing focused assistance to children and juveniles with disabilities. It requested information on public policies and practices to improve literacy of persons with disabilities, and to improve opportunities for them. 58. Regarding violence against women, deaths had different causes; in 2009, there had been 31 cases, of which 23 parricides, six assassinations and two homicides. The female population was 2,250,000. Legislators had not included the crime of femicide in the Penal Code, but it was punished through existing legislation, with penalties from 15 to 30 years of imprisonment. Aggravating circumstances included abuse of authority and discrimination on the basis of gender. 59. Nicaragua was more concerned with family violence and injuries, which in 2009 amounted to 9,213 cases, including sexual abuse, harassment, sexual exploitation, incest and rape. Nicaragua had established a special structure within the police to care for victims of these crimes (women and children police stations). At the end of the 1990s, Nicaragua had 35 national delegations, 21 of which at the department level, seven were municipal and seven were district offices for the capital. Together with civil society organization and procurators, Nicaragua had established seven shelters for victims of family violence with the aid of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation. 10