A/HRC/17/11 Abkhazia and South Ossetia, it continued to encourage the country to play a constructive role in finding a long-term peaceful solution to its conflicts. It made recommendations. 49. Spain commended Georgia for its political determination to combat torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment. In particular, Spain congratulated Georgia for the new strategy against ill-treatment, adopted in September 2010. Spain made recommendations. 50. The United States of America referred to electoral reform and inquired about the envisioned timeline for enacting these. It hoped that Georgia will address areas the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE/ODIHR) noted needed improvement. It noted that, due to the occupation by the Russian Federation of the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Georgia was unable to promote and protect human rights in those regions, which sat within the internationally recognized borders of Georgia. It asked about the country’s views on the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) recommendations regarding the independence of the judiciary. The United States made recommendations. 51. Slovakia welcomed the adoption of legislation on domestic violence, trafficking and adoption. Slovakia noted the concerns expressed by the Human Rights Committee on discrimination of religious groups, interference with the independence of the judiciary and judicial corruption and adverse prison conditions. Slovakia made recommendations. 52. Poland noted with appreciation the judicial reforms undertaken but noted also that further efforts were needed to strengthen administration of justice and the rule of law. Poland made recommendations. 53. Responding to the questions on media transparency, the delegation noted that in 2011 the Parliament planned the adoption of the Media Transparency legislation. Inter alia, the law would prohibit offshore companies from participating in any form of broadcasting. 54. The delegation acknowledged the importance of empowering women and cited the number of women in high governmental positions. Georgia adopted the Law on Gender Equality and the national action plan that enhanced women’s protection, strived against gender stereotyping, intensified women’s political partaking, and equality in the labour market. The Law on Domestic Violence developed a framework for preventing and combating domestic violence and protecting victims. The Inter-agency Council with active participation of national and international organizations developed the action plan and a national referral mechanism on fight against domestic violence. 55. The delegation noted that Georgia had inherited a Soviet judiciary characterized by lack of public trust. Challenges were acknowledged and adequate responses were prepared by the Criminal Justice Reform Council. Legislative and administrative measures were implemented, including the adoption of the Criminal Procedure Code that introduced the adversarial system and jury trials. 56. The High Council of Justice was transformed into an advisory body of judiciary – which majority was composed of judges. To avoid arbitrariness in the appointment of judges, procedures were elaborated in consultation with relevant stakeholders. The High School of Judges conducted professional trainings for the candidates for judges. 57. The Criminal Justice Reform Council adopted the Penitentiary Strategy and Action Plan addressing prison overcrowding, rehabilitation and resocialization of prisoners. A comprehensive healthcare strategy was developed. Diversion among juveniles, strengthening the community labour schemes and the new parole system were developed to decrease prison population. 8