A/HRC/17/15 United Kingdom stated that violence and customs such as forced marriage remain part of everyday life for many women. It made recommendations. 35. Norway took note of the political and institutional challenges facing Niger after February 2010. It encouraged Niger to take further measures to secure that the rights of women are protected. Norway made recommendations. 36. Germany asked Niger to provide figures on the number of trails opened and sentences passed on such offences as sexual harassment, FGM, slavery and rape. Germany also asked for information on the efforts undertaken or planned to increase the number of lawyers; and for an assessment on the coexistence of codified law and traditional law. Germany wished to know about steps taken to improve the working situation of women in all areas of the country, and not exclusively in the capital. Germany made recommendations. 37. Argentina inquired about measures to strengthen legislative, judicial and assistance mechanisms to combat sexual exploitation and sexual abuse and to punish these conducts. It asked about regulating the right to family providing for equal rights for men and women and about literacy for women and girls. It made recommendations. 38. While expressing appreciation for the effort made by Niger in the field of promotion and protection of human rights, Poland stated that, as indicated in the reports by the CEDAW, CRC and ILO Committees, issues of great importance remain to be addressed. Poland made recommendations. 39. Azerbaijan stated that technical assistance from the international community was important to improve existing capabilities in the sphere of human rights. While noting that Niger was party to the main international treaties, Azerbaijan highlighted that cooperation between Niger and special procedures mechanism was ongoing, as the Special Rapporteur on the right to food visited Niger twice. Azerbaijan commended the steps taken to decrease the national poverty rate and to tackle food scarcity and poverty. It also stated that Niger is on the path of achieving Millennium Development Goal 2 on providing universal primary education through the implementation of a 10-year educational development programme. Azerbaijan made recommendations. 40. Pakistan stated that poverty alleviation remains a major challenge for Niger, and noted the strategy prepared to accelerate development and reduce poverty (2008–2012) aimed at improving social indicators. Historical data reveal that Niger continues to confront shortfalls in domestic production of main crops, on average once every three years, leading to a food crisis. Pakistan was pleased to note that the Government had established the Food Crisis Unit and the Early Warning System Coordination Unit to assess food crisis risk in advance. Pakistan made recommendations. 41. Slovakia noted that institutions relevant to freedom of expression had not fulfilled their role. It welcomed the decriminalization of press offences. It noted CRC’s concern over the limitations on civil-society organizations and about the fact that human rights activists face threats and ill-treatment. It noted CEDAW’s concern over patriarchal ideologies. It was concerned that ILO had observed an archaic form of slavery in nomadic communities, where slave status was transmitted by birth in certain ethnic groups. It made recommendations. 42. Denmark noted Government’s steps towards reintroducing democracy, but was worried about the prevailing culture of impunity, which is perpetuated by amnesties. Denmark welcomed the de facto moratorium on the death penalty, in effect since 1976, but it was disappointed by the refusal of the National Consultative Council to endorse a Transitional Government’s proposal for the complete abolition of the death penalty. Denmark made recommendations. GE.11-12306 7