A/HRC/24/14 86. Turkmenistan welcomed the update on the efforts undertaken by the Russian Federation to improve human rights. 87. Ukraine welcomed establishment of an ombudsman for children and for the rights of entrepreneurs. It noted the need to uphold the rights of ethnic minorities. 88. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland expressed concern over legislative steps to control civil society, the expanded definition of treason and resulting intimidation. It urged effective investigation of allegations of human rights violations. 89. The United States of America commended improved accessibility for persons with disabilities. It expressed concern over laws restricting civil society and freedom of expression. 90. Uruguay noted ratifications of international instruments and cooperation with the universal human rights system. 91. Uzbekistan noted the willingness of the Russian Federation to cooperate further with international human rights mechanisms, including the UPR process. 92. Guatemala welcomed ratifications to CRPD and OP-CRC-SC. It referred to the HR Committee’s concerns over increasing hate crimes, racially motivated attacks against ethnic and religious minorities and manifestations of racism and xenophobia. 93. Viet Nam encouraged the Russian Federation to continue strengthening the democratic, federative and law-based State with a republican form of government and constituent entities with equal rights as well as streamline and harmonize domestic legislation with international obligations for furthering the rights for vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly and migrants, with a greater focus on education, health care and social welfare (Viet Nam); 94. Zimbabwe commended ratification of CRPD and the signing of an OP-CRC, and for the hosting of visits by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and two Special Rapporteurs. 95. In response to questions on the judiciary, the delegation stated that the authorities had been constantly improving the legislation, ensuring independence of judges and the right to a fair trial. Considerable progress had been achieved: some laws had been adopted or amended; compensation to citizens for violation of their right to the prompt administration of justice had been provided; and a reform of the civil and criminal appeal bodies had been undertaken. As a result of the reform in criminal procedures, a reduction of the number of persons in pretrial detention had been recorded. The perception and trust of citizens towards the judicial system had been improved. 96. Regarding questions on prevention of torture and ill treatment of detainees, the delegation explained that the legislation provided guarantees for freedom from torture and that the definition of torture was in line with CAT. The Government had been taking measures to combat torture: a large number of complaints had been investigated and perpetrators had been punished. 97. Training for law enforcement agencies had been conducted on the basis of a specially designed curriculum, which incorporated the case law of ECHR. Recommendations and conclusions of international human rights mechanisms had been disseminated through the website of the Ministry of Justice. 98. The provisions of CRPD had been implemented in a number of areas, including inclusive education, employment opportunities and access of persons with disabilities to public infrastructure through adoption of new laws. Sign language had been recognized as an official language of communication in public services. 10