A/HRC/14/3 69. Azerbaijan welcomed Nicaragua’s ratification of a number of international human rights instruments, its open invitation to special procedures, and the establishment of a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris principles. It asked Nicaragua to provide information on meeting the Millennium Development Goals and measures to combat human trafficking. It made recommendations. 70. Israel noted the reforms, particularly the human development plan, to guarantee the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as the efforts madeto reduce poverty, malnutrition and illiteracy. Israel was concerned that human rights violations remained prevalent, including harsh and overcrowded prison conditions; disrespect for the rule of law; widespread corruption; the erosion of freedom of expression or opinion, press, assembly and association; violence against women and children; domestic and sexual violence; and discrimination against ethnic minorities and indigenous communities. It made recommendations. 71. Sweden asked about the measures to prevent maternal and infant mortality as a result of illegal and unsafe abortions. Sweden referred to reports on the discrimination of indigenous people in areas such as education, health services, election participation and land rights. Sweden made recommendations. 72. The Netherlands was pleased that Nicaragua was party to the majority of core human rights conventions and had issued a standing invitation to special procedures. It also noted the efforts made in the fields of economic, social and cultural rights by providing health and education accessible to all. It made recommendations. 73. Nepal appreciated the efforts to take development and human rights together. It highlighted the establishment of national institutions and legislative measures on human rights. It noted with satisfaction the efforts to reform the criminal judicial system and that Nicaragua was party to major human rights instruments. It commended Nicaragua for reducing poverty, improving education and public health, and broadening the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. It highlighted the progress made in health-related Millennium Development Goals. It encouraged Nicaragua to continue building national institutions, increasing awareness about human rights and broadening the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. 74. Spain congratulated Nicaragua on the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It asked about the increase in domestic violence and the high rate of feminicide, and requested recent data on the number of convictions in cases of domestic and sexual violence regarding complaints. It made recommendations. 75. Colombia highlighted efforts to strengthen institutions and the justice system, and the achievements made in implementing the accusatorial criminal system. It acknowledged efforts in the implementation of the national mine-clearing programme. Colombia noted improvements in combating maternal and child mortality in line with the Millennium Development Goals. It commended the steps taken to combat all forms of discrimination by decriminalizing same-sex relations. It made recommendations. 76. France noted with alarm the many reported cases of judicial harassment, physical intimidation and death threats of human rights defenders. It asked about measures to ensure their protection and to allow them to carry out their activities. It noted that Nicaragua forbade abortion in general, including therapeutic abortion. It asked about the consequences of the across-the-board prohibition for public health and its potential impact on maternal mortality rates. It noted cases of excessive use of force, ill- treatment, torture by the forces of law and order, particularly against detainees. It asked about measures to make the definition of torture in the penal code comply with the Convention against Torture and make the military criminal code criminalize torture. It made recommendations. 12