PART ONE: Response to the observations and recommendations of the Commission Recommendation No. 1: “Set up an inter-ministerial group tasked with collaborating with all stakeholders throughout the process of conducting research and preparing periodic reports” 6. There is an inter-ministerial group responsible for preparing national periodic reports. The group is headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and includes representatives of ministries and institutions dealing with human rights issues. 7. After finalising the draft report, representatives of national human rights associations are invited to comment and contribute their field experience. Their relevant comments are incorporated into the final report. Recommendation No. 2: “Study the recurrent human rights problems in Algeria in order to obtain statistics on the various cases and facilitate solutions” 8. Human rights promotion and protection is one of the Algerian Government’s priority areas. The various reforms instituted, in particular in terms of legislative and regulatory mechanisms, are aimed at ensuring greater protection for the fundamental rights of citizens. The various administrative monitoring mechanisms, the guaranteed and effective right to appeal, facilitation of access to justice and legal aid, press freedom and the large number of associations are some of the tools that contribute to prevention and promotion, as well as redress for possible abuses. 9. Moreover, the National Consultative Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, in its annual activity reports and thematic reports, reports on all shortcomings noted, registered cases of violation and other factors restricting the full enjoyment by citizens of their civil, political, economic and socio-cultural rights. 10. The President of the Republic, who exercises supreme judicial authority and is guarantor of individual and public freedoms, gives, as appropriate, instructions towards resolving any issues that may be raised. 11. Regarding statistics on the various human rights issues, each relevant ministry or institution submits reports with detailed disaggregated statistics on registered, handled and resolved cases. Recommendation No. 3: “Implement measures to increase the rate of participation by Algerian women at all levels of society” 12. Regarding this item, it should be noted that Algeria ratified the Convention on the Political Rights of Women by Presidential Decree No. 04-126 of 19 April 2004. 13. Moreover, and following the 2008 constitutional amendment at the request of the President of the Republic, women’s right to participate in the government was consolidated through the introduction of a new article 31 bis, which provides that “the State shall strive to promote the political rights of women by increasing their chances of access to representation in elected assemblies”. This new constitutional provision is part of the government’s policy to institutionalise good governance and promote democratic principles and equal opportunities for all Algerians. The practical procedures for implementing this new constitutional provision are laid down in Organic Law No. 12-03 of 12 January 2012. 6