A/HRC/15/9 79. The Criminal Code needed to be amended to include the definition of torture, in accordance with international treaties. The amendment process was underway. 80. Significant work had been undertaken in the area of gender discrimination in the recent past. There was no differentiation with respect to gender in the application of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Armenia. In that regard, Armenia referred to constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, as well as to legal acts, including the Criminal Code. A draft law had been formulated on equal rights and equal opportunities for men and women, which prohibited all forms of discrimination. Furthermore, the draft law contained a definition of gender-based discrimination and all other legal terms stipulated in different international agreements. 81. Concerning the monitoring of penitentiary institutions, public monitoring groups carrying out the monitoring of penitentiary establishments under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice, and of holding facilities under the police, had been functioning. The groups were composed of representatives of non-governmental organizations authorized to have unimpeded access to police holding facilities and penitentiary institutions. 82. The police were taking measures to implement the recommendations of the parliamentary inquiry into the March 2008 events. A decree had been adopted on the use of special measures by the police and the police forces in 2009. Several measures had been included in the police reform programme adopted in 2010 in an effort to establish a legislative basis for ensuring public order and safety. It included training for police officers on the use of physical force and special measures for cases of unrest, as well as on work with journalists. In 2008 and 2009, Armenia had organized seminars and workshops involving the mass media and police under an initiative of the Council of Europe. In addition, special instructions governing the relationship between police and journalists had been developed. 83. Armenia had taken measures to ensure training for police officers concerning public demonstrations and the use of police equipment. Internal investigations into the allegations of physical abuse and/or psychological pressure by police had been conducted. Accordingly, in 2008, 16 police officers had been disciplined for the ill treatment of detainees, and some of them had been dismissed from the police force. Awareness-raising campaigns, including hotlines, had been conducted with a view to improved communication between the general population and the police. 84. In order to ensure equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, Armenia was implementing a programme of inclusive education and training. There were also State employment compensation programmes for those who were uncompetitive in the labour market. In addition, the State provided support and subsidies to those registered as persons with disabilities who wished to set up their own enterprises. Armenia would soon establish special training centres for persons with disabilities. The Government initiated amendments in the employment legislation foreseeing work practice for those unemployed and persons with disabilities that had professional but no service record. It was also looking into improving working conditions as well as incentives for those who would employ them. According to the same draft amendments, the landowners in rural areas would receive special subsidies for vocational education. 85. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs operated eight children’s homes, seven boarding schools, and there were two centres for children in difficult situations. There was a foster care system financed by the State budget, and civil society organizations were working on such foster care with State support. A pension reform had been worked out that would enable pensioners to afford basic necessities. 86. Labour law prohibited any labour contract from being concluded with children under 14 years of age. Employment contracts for children under 14 to 16 years of age shall be 12