A/HRC/8/37* Page 9 framework there is a special commission which decides on asylum requests, presided over by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior. Asylum-seekers have the right to have their cases heard by a second body if their request is rejected by the first. Peru stated that it accepts around 80 per cent of requests, which is one of highest averages in region, and that it assumes its humanitarian duties towards refugees. 31. The Ministry for Women’s Affairs and Social Development (MIMDES) is undertaking a major study on populations affected by violence, which is known as the ‘Census for Peace’, to facilitate the design of public policies oriented towards reparations, and the development and promotion of a culture of peace. So far, four stages have been carried out since 2001 and Peru is now preparing the fifth stage. On the issue of discrimination against women, Peru reiterated information it provided in its introductory statement and in its national report regarding the setting up of major public mechanisms for the promotion of the status of women, as well as legislative and regulatory measures on gender equality and policies on violence against women. 32. Peru added that measures and policies were designed with a view to ensuring a progressive increase in confidence in the justice system. Progress has been made to bring to justice key violators of human rights, persons who held the responsibilities in Government. Peru stated that mechanisms are transparent, enabling the population to see the development of these proceedings. Later, the conduct of judges has generated a better attitude among the population towards judges and restored the confidence which was once lost. This is in line with the new Criminal Procedure Code, which is useful to ensure that proceedings are more rapid and simple, to get results quickly and also to prioritize re-socialization of those who have broken the law, as opposed to prison terms, in many cases. On the issue of torture, as reflected in its most recent report submitted to the Committee against Torture two years ago, Peru stated its commitment to eliminating torture and other cruel treatment, a commitment reflected in the priority given to improving the prison system and the future establishment of a national mechanism for visits under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT). Consultations are ongoing to find the most appropriate way to do this in the short term. Finally, the Minister of Justice stated that the issue of prisons is one of the most important tasks she faces, and her personal method to tackle it involves visiting penitentiaries, holding working groups, meeting with prisoners in public courtyards, receiving phone calls, and answering their letters, either through civil servants or individually, which is an essential way to ensure dignified living conditions. 33. Slovenia asked about the lack of identification papers for more than 1.5 million persons, thus denying them full exercise of their rights. It enquired about recent measures to increase the population’s confidence in the judicial system, especially with regard to combating corruption and increasing capacities of the judicial system. Slovenia expressed concern about the lack of access to health facilities for poor and marginalized communities, in particular women and children, and requested information about the steps undertaken to secure such access. While commending Peru’s standing invitation to special procedures mandate holders, Slovenia requested further explanations with regard to the obstacles that prevented the visit of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression or opinion requested four years ago. Slovenia recommended that Peru (a) issue identification papers to those lacking them, (b) ensure that a gender perspective is fully integrated in the next stages of the Universal Periodic Review, including in the outcome, and that the gender perspective be systematically and continuously integrated in the follow-up procedure, (c) report regularly to the treaty bodies and to respond to special procedures’ communications and questionnaires; and (d) consider applying the Yogyakarta Principles as a guide to assist in policy development.