A/HRC/11/21* 21. The Holy See mentioned that Cameroon encouraged civil society and NGOs to monitor human rights in its country and noted the establishment of a National AntiCorruption Commission, and human rights teaching programme for police and prison guards. It noted that the police was not subject to penalties for human rights violations and inquired how the State intended to remedy that. It noted that the fact that “pygmy” communities in the country were not officially recognized in its administrative structures directly affected their ability to own land and to participate in decision-making. It recommended that Cameroon put in place a special law that will take into consideration those communities’ land rights. It emphasized that access to healthcare remained a difficulty, especially in rural areas, and inquired about surmounting the difficulties. It pointed out that enforced marriage of young girls was a serious fact, asking about the causes and means to combat it. 22. Canada recognized Cameroon’s efforts to discipline its security and police forces. It encouraged cooperation with the Commonwealth on justice reform and the prison system. Expressing some of its concerns, Canada recommended Cameroon (a) accelerate its judicial reform, reduce the number of preventive detentions and put an end to impunity for its security and police forces for any illegal act committed by their members; (b) amend its Criminal Code to abolish the criminalization of homosexual acts to conform to the provisions of the ICCPR, particularly articles 2 and 26, and the provisions of the African Charter of Human Rights and Peoples’ Rights. Sharing the concerns expressed by civil society, the opposition and the international community regarding appointments to ELECAM, including the lack of representatives of the opposition, it recommended (c) revising the composition of ELECAM to make it more balanced, diverse and representative and totally independent in order to contribute to transparent, fair and credible elections. Expressing concern at the closure of media outlets and imprisonment of journalists, Canada recommended that Cameroon (d) comply with its obligations under the ICCPR, particularly by abolishing the penalty of detention for offences of the press. 23. Azerbaijan noted that Cameroon’s national report focused on recent legislative reforms which guaranteed, inter alia, the right to a fair trial, right to participate in elections, right to safety, life, and freedom of communication, and referred to problems related to fair trial, corruption and the realization of economic, social and cultural rights. It noted the importance of bringing national legislation into conformity with international human rights standards, and of institutional reforms such as the establishment of the Constitutional Council, the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms which will contribute to the betterment of the human rights protection situation in the country. Azerbaijan mentioned that some children still did not have free primary education and asked about measures being taken by the Government to ensure equal access to free primary education for all children. Azerbaijan recommended Cameroon (a) consider ratifying the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education and (b) continue efforts and endeavours to improve overall human rights protection situation in the country. 24. Chile asked about an increase in cases where the local community took the law into its own hands and what sanctions or punishment there were for those who resorted to lynch justice. Chile appreciated the information on conviction of Government officials for human rights violations and the State’s initiatives to disseminate information on the Convention against Torture within the security and police forces. Chile noted the difficulties faced by journalists and recommended that Cameroonian authorities adopt all necessary measures to ensure that the press could work freely and that the cases of intimidation of journalists were properly investigated and perpetrators brought to justice. Noting that CEDAW had flagged the persistence of deep-rooted cultural practices affecting women such as FGM, Chile inquired about steps to improve the situation of women and eradicate FGM. GE.09-16396 7