A/HRC/16/17 including trafficking in women and children, would also be put in place. The delegation refuted the notion that slavery-like practices persisted and underlined the fact that combating the legacy of slavery was a cross-cutting activity reflected in all policies pursued by the Government. 51. Slovakia praised the opening of an OHCHR office in 2009. Slovakia stated that a more holistic approach at all levels of society was required to combat slavery. Slovakia expressed concerns about prison overcrowding, lack of food and health care for detainees, and routine abuse. Slovakia noted the de facto moratorium on the death penalty since 1987. Slovakia acknowledged the improvement in media freedom since the August 2005 coup, which had ended censorship and bureaucratic obstacles to the printing of publications. Slovakia made recommendations. 52. The United States of America commended Mauritania for progress in aligning its national legislation with international human rights standards. Noting the steps taken by the Government and civil society organizations to combat slavery, it expressed concern over the fact that, although Mauritania had banned slavery, no one had ever been convicted of the crime of slaveholding. It inquired whether Mauritania planned to develop a national strategy on slavery. It also expressed concern about the prevalence of human trafficking in Mauritania. It made recommendations. 53. The United Arab Emirates expressed appreciation for the importance attached to human rights, as reflected in the national report and institutions created such as national human rights institutions and the ministry of humanitarian affairs. It made a recommendation. 54. Italy encouraged efforts to address, in collaboration with the relevant international organizations, the challenges related to children’s rights, particularly child labour. Italy welcomed the steps taken to withdraw general reservations to CEDAW. Italy noted the adoption of a national strategy and plan of action in 2007 to fight against female genital mutilation. Italy noted reports about the deteriorated situation of the Christian minority, encouraging Mauritania to undertake initiatives to create a better climate for religious tolerance. Italy noted the de facto moratorium on the death penalty since 1987. It made a recommendation. 55. Sri Lanka commended Mauritania for initiating procedures aimed at the withdrawal of its general reservation to CEDAW and welcomed its cooperation with the special procedures, as well as its accession in 2003 to ICRMW. It also commended Mauritania for having made education compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 14. It made a recommendation. 56. France was concerned over information about the persistent use of torture by law enforcement personnel, particularly in detention facilities. It asked for clarity regarding measures taken or envisaged to address this issue and punish the perpetrators of torture. France noted that the death penalty had not been used de facto since 1987, although it still existed in the penal code and was applicable for homosexuality. France made recommendations. 57. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed progress in combating discrimination, particularly the law criminalizing slavery and slavery-like practices, while noting concern about the effective implementation of the anti-slavery legislation and the continued existence of caste-based slavery. Welcoming efforts to mainstream gender equality and the national strategy for eliminating female genital mutilation, it expressed concern about torture, prison conditions, violence against women and gender-based discrimination, including reported trafficking in women and girls; the continued practice of early marriage and forced feeding (gavage); child trafficking and the 9