A/HRC/17/15 solution. While hoping that the new Government, which will start its works in April 2011, will pursue efforts in favour of an increased protection of human rights and democracy, Canada noted the persistence of challenges such as impunity, gender equality, violence against women, and child trafficking and low level of literacy. Canada made recommendations. 28. Turkey supported Niger’s efforts in re-establishing democracy and constitutional order and welcomed the timeline for transition to democracy. It welcomed the new Constitution and that the death penalty had not been applied since 1975 but encouraged Niger to take the necessary measures to abolish it. It welcomed women’s education and participation and saluted Niger’s Penal Code which severely punishes FGM, slavery and procurement of prostitution. It expressed concern that Niger suffered drought, famine and malnutrition and underlined the need for the international community’s support. Turkey made a recommendation. 29. Slovenia commended Niger for the introduction of new provisions, in June 2010, into the Penal Code of 2003 abolishing FGM and asked the Government about concrete measures to put those new provisions in practice. It also asked whether the mentioned changes in the Penal Code include the elimination of the practice known as Wahaya, girls serving as concubines of wealthy or eminent persons, and what measures have been taken to eliminate this practice. Noting that Niger was party to most of the core universal human rights instruments, Slovenia asked Niger about the envisaged timeline for reporting to treaty bodies. Slovenia made recommendations. 30. France noted the de facto moratorium on executions put in place since 1976 but that Niger had not yet formally abolished capital punishment. France further noted that the national report did not address human rights training of law enforcement officials or provisions in order to punish possible human rights violations committed by them. While acknowledging the efforts made by Niger, France noted that women were still victims of discriminatory and harmful traditional practices. France made recommendations. 31. Brazil was encouraged by the improvement of access to education. It noted the role of school canteens in increasing the number of students in nomadic areas. It welcomed Niger’s cooperation with OHCHR and that no special rapporteurs’ visits were pending. Brazil expressed concern over gender-related crimes, including female genital mutilation and noted efforts to prevent this violence. It highlighted the human rights impact of transnational companies’ operation and hoped Niger would follow up on the issue. It made recommendations. 32. Spain recognized the evolution of human rights protection in Niger and welcomed the new Constitution. It also welcomed the fact that the death penalty had not been applied since 1976. It made recommendations. 33. Cuba highlighted the fact that despite Niger’s important natural resources, its population faces challenges aggravated by the global crisis and international plunder and exploitation, the principal causes of Niger’s underdevelopment. It welcomed Niger’s accelerated 2008–2012 development strategy, highlighting that education was free. Cuba also welcomed several programmes to improve access to health, which led to the improvement of various health indicators. It noted Niger’s measures to fight food insecurity and improve access to drinking water. It made recommendations. 34. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland asked whether the Government was considering extending an open invitation to the United Nations human rights special procedures. It appreciated the efforts made to implement peace agreements and democracy and welcomed the peaceful conclusion of the first round of elections. It also welcomed steps taken to improve the participation of women in political life and the revision of the Criminal Code so that FGM, slavery and rape are punishable by law. The 6 GE.11-12306