A/HRC/12/50 affected persons. Cuba underscored the Congo’s efforts in the area of education, notwithstanding the clear obstacles arising for this underdeveloped country, which was yet another victim of the current unfair international economic order. Cuba launched an appeal for the strengthening of cooperation with the Congo, including concrete actions such as external debt relief and a commitment to official development assistance, which could provide the Congo with the resources necessary to face challenges. 298. The Democratic Republic of the Congo congratulated the Congo for having launched, on 10 August 2009, the work of the Commission and the Division of Legal Code in order to amend the human rights legislation. Regarding the recommendation made by the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the elaboration of national legislation for the protection and assistance of internally displaced persons, it thanked the Congo for the information provided in this regard and commended the country for the role played in the area of human rights and the efforts made to bring their commission into line with the Paris Principles. It also called upon the High Commissioner to provide the Congo with the assistance it had requested. 299. Chad noted with satisfaction that the Congo was party to a number of international instruments on human rights and had begun applying a number of recommendations. Chad made an appeal to the international community to provide material and financial assistance to the Congo so as to enable it to rise to the challenge. 300. Gabon welcomed the Congo’s establishment of a think-tank to review the various recommendations put forward. It also noted that the national human rights institution of the Congo was in conformity with the Paris Principles. It also made reference to the multiple political military crises that had hit the Congo and slowed down the progress in the area of respect for human rights. It commended the Congo for its commitments and efforts towards peace in the country. 301. The Central African Republic expressed its satisfaction at the Congo’s achievements and the recent stability. It added that these efforts should continue with the support of the international community, which it urged to provide such support. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 302. The International Federation of ACAT (Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture FIACAT) commended the Congo for having accepted many recommendations calling for the abolition of the death penalty. FIACAT and ACAT the Congo encouraged the Congo to take measures to deal with overcrowded prisons where men, women and children live together and lack food. They encouraged the Congo to provide access to nongovernmental organizations working in the area of human rights. They also welcomed the Congo’s acceptance of the recommendation on the respect of the provisions of the criminal code regarding torture. The organizations expressed the hope that a revision commission, which would bring Congolese codes in line with international standards, would be established. They remained concerned about the continued practice of torture, and arbitrary and illegal detention in the Congo, and the absence of a standing invitation to all special procedures of the Council. 303. In a joint statement, the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA-Europe) and the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network referred to the recommendations contained in paragraphs 23, 27 and 59 of the Working Group report on the Congo, which urged the Government to repeal provisions in the penal code to decriminalize same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults. Reference was also made to the lack of legislation to protect lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people, with a negative impact on important HIV-prevention work. 107