A/HRC/12/50 spite of the difficulties faced. It noted the number of structures set up in the Comoros for the protection of women and women’s rights, the mechanisms for the protection of children and the new strategies for the empowerment of women and to ensure access to education. It commended the efforts made to combat poverty and to continue securing access to education and health. It welcomed the accession of the Comoros to numerous international human rights conventions, and the fact that the interactive dialogue had resulted in recommendations accepted by the Comoros. It hoped that the United Nations and the international community would offer assistance to the Comoros, as required to support its efforts to improve the human rights situation. 629. Morocco observed that the support of the majority of recommendations illustrated the determination of the Comoros to move forward in a spirit of transparency and objectivity. Morocco welcomed the decision of the Comoros to accept the recommendations concerning improvements in the situation of women and the promotion of education for children. It noted the readiness of the authorities to take measures to reduce child and maternal mortality and to improve the access of children to health care. It stated that implementing the recommendations required support and assistance from international agencies, such as WHO. The efforts made by the Comoros, despite scarce resources, showed the firm will to modernize and democratize government. It stated that substantial assistance and support from the international community to the Comoros was necessary and justified. 630. Senegal stated that, by accepting most recommendations, the Comoros had confirmed its readiness to improve the human rights situation in a difficult context. Senegal welcomed the willingness of the Comoros to accede to other international human rights instruments. It also looked favourably upon the acceptance of the recommendation concerning the establishment of a national human rights institution. The existence of such an institution could greatly contribute to the strengthening of the institutional human rights framework. Senegal encouraged the Comoros to be vigorous in its efforts to ensure the effective implementation of the accepted recommendations, and appealed to the international community to assist in this regard. 631. Ghana thanked the Comoros for the further clarifications to the recommendations, and appreciated the measures already taken since the review, including the release of the detained rebels. It recalled that the Comoros had announced its strong attachment to human rights ideals and its commitment to foster real human development, despite many economic and social constraints. It appreciated the State’s acceptance of 52 of the 59 recommendations and its willingness to work with the Council to strengthen efforts to address human rights issues in the country. The Comoros deserved the support of the Council and the international community in its desire to improve the promotion and protection of human rights. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 632. The International Lesbian and Gay Association addressed recommendation 4 in paragraph 66 of the report and noted that same-sex activity between consenting adults was criminalized by article 318 of the penal code. It noted that the Human Rights Committee had repeatedly confirmed that such laws violated the rights to both privacy and nondiscrimination, contrary to articles 17 (1) and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and referred also to the calls by the High Commissioner on the issue. It noted the delegation’s responses that homosexuality was not prosecuted and the law not enforced, and considered that, if this was this case, the Government should be willing to accept the recommendation. Even when not enforced, such laws undermine the human dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people. It urged the Comoros to bring the 159