A/HRC/19/2 408. The delegation acknowledged the positive response of the Human Rights Council to the request to postpone the adoption of the report. 409. The delegation reaffirmed Libya’s intention to study the recommendations and to provide its response, although they had been addressed to others. A committee composed of all competent ministries was to be formed for this purpose. In keeping with transparency, civil society and the national council for fundamental freedoms and human rights were involved. The President, deputy and some other members of the Council were present at the current session, which demonstrated the will to move forward in defending human rights and to show the world that Libya had placed human rights among its top priorities. 410. The delegation emphasized that the committee had accepted almost all the recommendations. They had already been accomplished by the victory of the February revolution. Most of the recommendations were part of the objectives of the revolution. The revolution itself was a response to the report and the recommendations of the Working Group presented in November 2010. This was further proof of the exceptional nature of the revolution. Almost all recommendations had been accepted, except those in conflict with the Islamic religion and the customs, culture, specificities and principles of the Libyan people. 411. The delegation stressed that accession to the international human rights treaties to which Libya had not yet acceded was considered one of the State’s main concerns. While waiting for the election of the National Congress, a committee comprising relevant governmental bodies, civil society, the national council for fundamental freedoms and human rights and all other stakeholders would be formed to review those conventions and to make appropriate recommendations on accession for consideration by future legislative bodies. For example, concerning the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a recommendation to accede to it would be submitted following the election of the legislative bodies. This would take into consideration the growing number of people who had lost limbs during the revolution and were among those with special needs. 412. With regard to women’s rights, Libya focused on empowering and engaging women in top positions. The presence of many women in the Transitional National Council and the transitional Government was indicative of this focus, as was the representation of women in the National Congress. Furthermore, many were present at the Council session, and female diplomats had been assigned to join the Mission in Geneva. 413. The delegation reiterated that the Government did not ignore the role of Libyan youth, which had sparked the revolution in peaceful crowds demanding the rights that the Human Rights Council itself called for. Youth had sacrificed their lives so that the Libyan people could live in freedom and enjoy human rights. The new Libyan State has empowered youth to be at the top of the political, economic and social pyramid. The presence of the head of delegation was evidence of the Government’s keenness to give effect to the role of youth. 414. The delegation recalled that the revolution was one for human rights. Protesters were not hungry for bread, and were not naked or barefoot, but were demanding rights and human dignity. The new Libyan State therefore encouraged and promoted freedoms in a country deprived of the most basic human rights. In the past, talking about human rights was considered a crime punishable by law. Association with a party was a crime in Libya – described as treason, and punishable by law. The establishment of unions and free associations was also prohibited. Today the door was open for all those rights and freedoms. Today, Libya enjoyed free and independent media censored only by their professional standards and conscience. There were no special or State security courts, which had killed thousands in the past. 194 GE.13-14768