A/HRC/11/24* 7. As follow-up to the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT), in 2006 the National Assembly adopted a bill establishing a new mechanism for the prevention of torture: the National Observatory of Places of Detention. 8. Senegal is honoured by the choice of its capital to host the West Africa Regional Office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). 9. Senegal has allocated significant financial resources to education in recent years: at present, 42 per cent of the State budget is spent on education. These efforts have led to a significant improvement in primary education enrolment. They have enabled Senegal to move towards universal enrolment and, above all, to reduce the disparities between genders, regions and backgrounds. 10. With regard to early childhood, in 2004 Senegal set up the national kindergarten programme, “Case des tout petits”, which was praised by UNESCO and provides for the care of children up to the age of 6 years from disadvantaged backgrounds, guaranteeing them access to education, health care and food. 11. In furtherance of the right to health Senegal has allocated public resources that exceed the international standards set by WHO, thus demonstrating its commitment to ensuring universal access to health care. Various national programmes have been set up, including some addressing the specific problems of certain vulnerable social groups, such as street children, the pupils of certain Koranic schools, children affected by HIV/AIDS and persons with disabilities. Senegal has also set up a plan called “Sesame”, which provides destitute older persons with free health care and certain medications. 12. To fulfil its international commitments relating to non-discrimination against women, Senegal has been undertaking progressive and irreversible reforms with the aim of steadily improving its legislation. With regard to the protection of women’s physical integrity, Senegal has not only adopted punitive measures, including the criminalization of female genital mutilation, violence against women and human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation, but is also making significant ongoing efforts to raise awareness of these issues. To this end, the National Observatory of Women’s Rights was set up on 15 December 2008. The question of women’s access to land ownership was resolved in article 15 of the Constitution. 13. The protection of children remains a high priority in Senegalese policies. In addition to the ratification of the main relevant international instruments, Senegal has taken significant action to enforce children’s rights. In that connection, a Children’s Code is being drafted. 14. With regard to civil and political rights, Senegal recalls that it has a long tradition of respect for freedoms. The freedom to demonstrate and freedom of expression and thought are thus guaranteed by the Constitution. 15. Senegal will continue to work for the promotion and protection of human rights and remains open to all forms of cooperation in this regard, in particular with the special procedures mandate holders. The Minister of State further recalls that Senegal has responded positively to all visit requests to date. 4 GE.09-16280