A/HRC/12/2 page 6 human rights of internally displaced persons; and (c) taking further measures to combat maternal mortality and give specific follow-up to the recommendation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child’s concerning the availability of free medical assistance to pregnant women. 20. Nigeria noted progressive reforms regarding the Criminal Procedure and Labour Codes, non-governmental organizations, women and girls, persons with disabilities and establishment of the national human rights commission. Nigeria recommended (a) continuing to strengthen its Court of Justice with a view to its carrying out its constitutional role without fear or favour; and (b) continuing its extensive reforms with a view to addressing institutional shortcomings and weaknesses, and developing an integrated agenda of human rights and public security as well as development agenda towards poverty and illiteracy eradication. It asked that international help be extended to strengthen national human rights institutions. 21. Djibouti welcomed, inter alia, initiatives leading to a national reconciliation plan; measures to combat interference in freedom of expression; efforts to promote the rights of vulnerable groups and the establishment of quotas in the civil service for persons with disabilities. It encouraged the Government to continue combating all forms of discrimination. Djibouti recommended considering ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (CRC-OP-AC) and the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, and that the international community provide technical and financial support to allow the State to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and overcome economic difficulties exacerbated by the current financial crisis. 22. Italy commended the State for its de facto moratorium on executions. It recommended (a) seizing the opportunity raised by the ongoing review of the Penal Code to consider abolishing capital punishment and acceding to ICCPR-OP 2. Noting concerns expressed by the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Italy recommended (b) modifying legislative provisions that may discriminate against women and in particular speeding up the process of bringing the Family Code in line with international instruments; (c) enhancing awareness-raising campaigns to combat and eradicate female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to young women; and (d) guaranteeing the right to education of all children and taking effective measures to substantially increase the rate of attendance in primary schools. Enrolment in primary education and the negative trend of attendance in primary schools caused concern. 23. Sweden appreciated the Government’s commitment to human rights. It expressed concern about serious violations in the north between 2005 and mid-2007, when hundreds of civilians reportedly were summarily executed and thousands of homes destroyed. Sweden recommended that the Government increase efforts to investigate and prosecute the individuals known to be responsible for those violations; ensure that victims are guaranteed remedy, including the right to compensation and reparation; and continue efforts to improve the protection of the civilian population. Welcoming the law on reproductive health and efforts to mobilize public opinion against female genital mutilation, Sweden recommended prohibiting female genital mutilation and taking further steps to prevent and address the occurrence of the practice. 24. Portugal welcomed the ratification of most core international human rights treaties and recommended that the State consider signing the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR) at the opening ceremony for signature in

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