A/HRC/42/2 the country, and called on the authorities to make greater efforts to improve the conditions in which internally displaced people live, especially women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. It urged the Ethiopian Government to ratify the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa. 830. Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights called on Ethiopia to ban the labelling of certain parties as terrorists, which would pave the way for national reconciliation, especially in relation to the May 7th movement. It noted that, despite great progress made concerning human rights, there was still a long way to go, especially when it came to ethnic violence. It stated that a disagreement between the central Government and armed factions continue to undermine a state of peace. 831. The United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation commended Ethiopia for its tireless efforts towards structural reform, as well as towards ratifying important international instruments for promoting and protecting human rights, including the non-criminalization of political opposition. It noted that this was a break from the repressive policies and impunity of security forces and police. It called on the international community to assist Ethiopia, which was going through an important transitional period. 832. The Health and Environment Program noted the commencement of reforms in Ethiopia. The adoption of a new electoral law regarding legislative elections at federal and regional levels was a step in the right direction in terms of upholding human rights. It recognized the efforts of the Government to ensure the safe return of migrants living abroad, and the safe return of internally displaced persons. It encouraged Ethiopia to strengthen security measures to put an end to inter-communal violence. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 833. The Vice-President stated that, based on the information provided, out of 327 recommendations received, 270 enjoyed the support of Ethiopia and 57 were noted. 834. The delegation stated that the political reforms over the past one-year focused primarily on civil and political rights. Measures were taken to hold to account perpetrators of gross human rights violations, remove the terrorist designation of a number of exiled political parties, and to open up the political space. These measures have resulted in the implementation of a number of supported recommendations, as well as some noted recommendations. 835. While noting that the implementation of many supported recommendations would significantly enhance the promotion and protection of civil and political rights, the delegation stated that a draft anti-terrorism proclamation had been submitted to the Parliament for adoption. 836. Amendments to the Charities and Societies law, the electoral law and media law, have already been adopted by Parliament. Measures have been taken to strengthen the independence and capacity of the judiciary, including the appointment of new senior leadership for the Federal Courts, the on-going amendment of the establishing legislation for the courts and the restructuring of the Judicial Administration Council. 837. The Government has prioritized the national elections due to be held in May 2020, and in that regard, Parliament has adopted the election and political parties’ registration proclamation. The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia was under new management and was working tirelessly to staff the Office with independent, capable professionals and to provide a series of trainings to its staff. 838. Efforts to address the ethnic and religious conflicts have already started to bear fruit with the return of a majority of the displaced persons to their places if residence. The Ministry 123