A/HRC/15/4 particularly through the elections set for June, which should be in accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It made recommendations. 48. Canada was pleased to see improvement with regard to the attention provided to human rights in Guinea, to which the open and collaborative spirit of the new President had contributed. However, it noted that human rights challenges and limited resources required a focus on priority sectors. A return to constitutional order and the rule of law was a prerequisite. Canada expressed concerns at the culture of impunity, notably the events of September 2009, which required a reform of the judicial system. Canada congratulated Guinea on its collaboration with OHCHR and the opening of an office in the country. Canada made recommendations. 49. Malaysia appreciated the fact that Guinea recognized its challenges and constraints in improving social development and protecting human rights. It noted that, given the commitment, the efforts and engagement undertaken by Guinea with the international community, the country would be able to make progress in terms of the social, economic and political well-being of its people. It made recommendations. 50. Israel regretted the human rights violations occurring in Guinea, including those related to the military coup on 23 December 2008 and the bloody incidents at the Conakry stadium on 28 September 2009. It fully supported the activities of the International Contact Group in Guinea to monitor the conduct of free and fair elections. It highlighted the country’s readiness to work with the international community and committed itself to assisting in the country’s progress, specifically in empowering women and combating poverty, as well as in the fields of health, agriculture and education. Israel made recommendations. 51. The Netherlands highlighted Guinea’s cooperation with the Commission of Inquiry following the events of September 2009, its cooperation with the Human Rights Council on resolution 13/21, and its decision to work with OHCHR in opening a country office. It noted Guinea’s fragile human rights situation. It reiterated concerns about violence against women and girls, including sexual violence. It was alarmed by the high incidence of female genital mutilation and the impunity of its perpetrators. It welcomed the Law on Reproductive Health, prohibiting all forms of female genital mutilation. It expressed concern that Guinea was a country of origin, transit and destination for human trafficking. It made recommendations. 52. Argentina thanked Guinea for its national report and made recommendations. 53. Belgium condemned the massacre of September 2009, which had resulted in 150 deaths, hundreds cases of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, the rape of at least 100 women, and other forms of sexual violence. Belgium welcomed Guinea’s constructive attitude regarding the adoption of the Human Rights Council resolution. Belgium noted with regret that, despite the fact that there had been no execution since 2002, death sentences were still being passed and might be applied. Belgium made recommendations. 54. Slovakia welcomed Guinea’s adoption of a Child Code in 2008. There were, however, areas of concern, such as the excessive use of force by armed security forces to dispel the demonstration of September 2009, which had caused loss of life, a high number of injuries, sexual abuse and the large-scale destruction of property; and the conditions in prisons and detention centres, especially the lack of the necessary infrastructure, which had resulted in overcrowding, malnutrition and inadequate health care that was far below international standards. Slovakia made recommendations. 55. Sweden reiterated its condemnation of the violent crackdown by security forces on the political demonstrations of 28 September 2009, noting that the violence that had 9