A/HRC/21/9 75. Regarding questions from Austria and Ecuador on the use of secret evidence in closed proceedings, the United Kingdom said that in a small number of cases highly relevant national security evidence if heard in public would jeopardize the methods or identities of its security services or those with whom it collaborates. It was trying to put in place a system that enabled those cases to go to court in accordance with the rule of law. 76. Regarding questions from Switzerland and Belarus about rendition and torture, the United Kingdom said that it unreservedly condemned any practice of extraordinary rendition to torture and it did not render people in breach of its legal obligations. Robust processes were in place to deal with allegations of any form of mistreatment by United Kingdom armed forces and appropriate action was taken when there was a case to answer. 77. Responding to Angola’s question, the United Kingdom said that it wasn’t possible to comment further about the case of Jimmy Mubenga whilst investigations were outstanding but that his death was currently the subject of three investigations. 78. In response to questions about the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons against Enforced Disappearance (CPED), the United Kingdom said that it was keen to move towards ratification but that it did not sign international treaties unless it knew it could ratify them quickly. The undertaking would require considerable resource and parliamentary time; as a minimum the United Kingdom would need to create a new criminal offence. 79. The United Kingdom said that it would ensure that the recommendation by the United States regarding greater resources for the Historic Enquiries Team, were communicated to the Devolved Administration in Northern Ireland. 80. In regard to Chile’s question about the impact of the legal-aid reforms on vulnerable groups, the United Kingdom said that reforms in England and Wales had been subject to considerable amendments during the passage of the legislation in response to concerns raised by NGOs and Parliament. Public funding for the most vulnerable groups had been preserved but the impact would remain under review. The Scottish Government’s reforms to legal aid were also designed to maintain access to justice as much as possible. 81. Germany asked about the United Kingdom’s response to concerns regarding reports on regular screening of personal data and house searches of Muslims solely because of their religious affiliation, several seemingly overly broad and vaguely worded provisions in counter-terrorism legislation, and the use of racial profiling in the exercise of the so-called “stop and search” powers. Germany asked for information on how the interim results of the European Union study on the effects that the imprisonment of a parent had on a child had been assessed, and what steps were taken to improve support for children with parents in prison. Germany asked what had been done to address the recommendation to introduce a procedure for determining stateless claims. Germany stated that its strong recommendations remained, making reference to the “Blue Group”. Germany made a recommendation. 82. Greece wanted to know measures taken to alleviate the impact of the financial crisis on women and measures to be undertaken to eliminate racial discrimination in policing. Greece welcomed the establishment of a National Referral Mechanism for victims of trafficking. Greece made recommendations. 83. Guatemala congratulated the United Kingdom for its withdrawal of two reservations to CRC and its ratification to the Optional Protocol to CRC on the sale of children and the CRPD. Regarding the issue of discrimination, Guatemala asked what exceptions were allowed by the 2010 Equality Act. Guatemala also wanted to know the main elements of the Action Plan on Domestic Violence, since when it had been enforced, and what the results were. Guatemala made a recommendation. 12