A/HRC/16/15 87. In response to questions regarding restrictions on freedom of expression, opinion and the press, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya reaffirmed that any citizen could freely express his or her views. The country had many independent newspapers that had criticized the Administration, and there were other privately owned media. A draft law on this issue was under way but had not yet been enacted, and the 1972 press law would soon be amended to resolve the pending issues. 88. Regarding corporal punishment, the relevant penalties or sanctions had not been applied for more than 40 years, except in two cases regarding haraba, which was the most serious crime of terrorism. The Penal Code was under review, and such punishment would be repealed. 89. Regarding the point raised about the people’s court and the security court, there were two different courts. The people’s court no longer existed, and the state security court was an ordinary court governed by the penal code. The court was composed of judges appointed by the Court of Appeal. None of the court’s members had special privileges different from the privileges of other judges. Any complaint could be brought regarding these members of the court, and this court was under the supervision of the Supreme Court. As its decisions could be appealed before the Supreme Court, it was not an exceptional court. 90. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya was a party to the Convention against Torture, and the Convention took precedence over national legislation. National legislation also provided for the protection of victims of torture and the right to file a complaint. Various laws in the penal code imposed severe sanctions on any perpetrators of torture or arbitrary detention. Perpetrators found guilty were punished with severe sanctions, and some were sentenced for up to two years of imprisonment. 91. Finally, the delegation thanked all delegations who had submitted recommendations and took note of them. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya invited all non-governmental organizations and other relevant stakeholders in the Council to visit the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya so they could see in person the status of human rights on the ground. Justice was achieved in accordance with divine law, and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya must refer to what was stated in the holy Koran, noting that we were all equal and could improve ourselves only through our convictions. 92. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya indicated that it looked forward to a constructive and effective dialogue with all States. II. Conclusions and/or recommendations 93. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue and listed below have been examined by the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and enjoy its support: 93.1. Take necessary measures to accede to CRPD (Oman); 93.2. Adopt and implement a definition of torture consistent with its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, Degrading Treatment or Punishment (United States); 93.3. Adopt domestic legislation to absolutely abolish practices of torture on its territory (United States); 93.4. Step up efforts to consolidate the rule of law and national human rights protection institutions (Viet Nam); 14