A/HRC/16/17 67. Sweden, noting that Mauritania had maintained criminal sanctions against same-sex activity between consenting adults, inquired about any initiatives taken to repeal the law forbidding such sexual activity. It also expressed concern over the regular use of torture by security forces against political detainees. It asked for further information about measures taken to investigate and prosecute alleged perpetrators of torture against individuals detained for political reasons or for ordinary crimes. It made recommendations. 68. China welcomed Mauritania’s withdrawal of a general reservation to CEDAW and expressed appreciation for its cooperation with United Nations mechanisms. China understood the difficulties facing Mauritania in addressing human rights owing to a lack of financial and human capacity, and called for greater technical assistance from the international community. 69. Switzerland noted the 2007 law criminalizing slavery, expressing concern that slavery still existed in practice. It also noted that new death sentences had been handed down since the most recent execution, in 1987. Switzerland made recommendations. 70. Mauritania had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities earlier in 2010 and ratification instruments were being prepared. 71. The delay in the Government’s submission of reports to treaty bodies had been occasioned by specific circumstances in the country at given points in time, and the Government was working to clear the backlog. To that end, it would soon present its initial report to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 72. The new Terrorism Act contained a broader but more specific definition of the offence, while prosecution and investigation procedures were generally undertaken by a joint team in order to increase effectiveness. The members of those teams had been given more extensive powers, but without jeopardizing the rights of defendants. Sentences had become more severe, and there was a greater focus on compensation for victims and civil parties. As an Act of State, it had come into force as soon as it had been adopted. 73. The Criminal Code, which included penalties for those who had same-sex sexual relations, was based on Muslim sharia law, personal ethics and the specific nature of the country. The relevant provisions would be studies in detail with a view to bringing them into line with international standards. 74. As with the death penalty, corporal punishment had never been practised or carried out. The provisions of Islamic law and special criminal legislation allowed for alternative sentences. 75. Indonesia highlighted the recent establishment of a gender equality office and noted the Government’s endeavour to address some discriminatory social and cultural practices. It encouraged Mauritania to continue the dialogue with special procedures. It made recommendations. 76. Ghana noted the declaration of a fatwa against the practice of female genital mutilation, the adoption of alternatives to custody for children in conflict with the law, the improvement of living conditions in detention centres, the criminalization of slavery, and other ongoing progress. Ghana welcomed the efforts to promote the status of women. It made recommendations. 77. Angola welcomed the first free and transparent election held since 2005. It expressed appreciation for the adoption of the 2009 strategy for the protection of children, requesting further information. Angola welcomed the efforts made to improve maternal mortality, requesting further information about the situation in that area since 2001. Angola noted the high school enrolment rate in rural and semi-rural areas. It encouraged Mauritania 11