A/HRC/8/32 Page 11 died. The priority of the Government in this context had been to ensure a smooth transition without bloodshed, to break away from the painful past and to establish a new nation founded on the values of human dignity and equality. The Commission concluded its work in 1999. Positive developments have occurred in the protection of women and children such as the development of the Victim Empowerment Programme and the Service Charter for Victims of Crime which indicates a commitment by the relevant Departments in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, in addressing the rights of victims. A significant number of programmes which are aimed at assisting victims of crime have also been introduced. This includes the introduction of Family Courts aimed at dealing exclusively with family disputes and more than 60 Sexual Offences Courts which accord special protection to rape victims when their cases are heard. The Thuthuzela Care Centres which offer additional support to victims of crime, provide a multiple role of safety where victims may lay a charge, be examined and counselled in a safe and secure environment. Last year South Africa engaged in systematic interaction with business and other sectors of the population, to develop a holistic approach towards revamping the criminal justice system. 31. Pakistan commended South Africa on the establishment of the Human Rights Commission, Public Protector, Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, the Commission on Gender Equality and the Independent Electoral Commission, and on all its efforts. It requested further details on efforts to deal with the legacy of a racially divided economy and resulting challenges of poverty, and information on South Africa’s efforts to deal with issues related to refugees and asylum-seekers. 32. Mexico valued the efforts to reform its legal framework internally to protect human rights, which is seen in measures to fight racial segregation and discrimination in its broadest sense and to abolish the death penalty. It recognized South Africa’s commitment to its obligations under the various international instruments on refugees. However, there are various reports of cases of migrants and asylum-seekers being returned to countries when there are good reasons to believe that they may be subjected to torture. It recommended that the mechanisms for supervising procedures be established or strengthened, including the procedure for recognition of the status of refugees and deportation of foreigners, with a view to ensuring the right to a hearing and thus close the door to possible abuses and complying with the principle of non-refoulement. It also referred to the major efforts undertaken by the Government to ensure the right to health, and in particular its campaign against HIV/AIDS. Mexico requested more information in this respect on ethnic minorities, on measures to combat HIV/AIDS and access to medicine for their treatment. 33. Australia requested information regarding South Africa’s views, approach and support for national human rights institutions and noted that South Africa has an institution compliant with the Paris Principles. Australia wanted to know the role that it has played in the promotion of human rights. 34. Algeria appreciated the way South Africa has, inter alia, recognized the right to water as a human right, mainstreamed poverty reduction into sectoral policies, strategies and budgetary allocations, and was impressed by the country’s achievements in providing housing for six million people in 12 years at a rate which is unprecedented internationally. Algeria would like to learn from this record performance and asked for further clarifications as it is confronted with a similar challenge. It also noted the decrease in HIV/AIDS prevalence thanks to widespread introduction of ARV therapy, and recommended that South Africa further intensify its efforts in this regard in the context of its National Health Charter, with a special focus on teenagers. 35. Ghana commended South Africa on the elaboration of numerous legislative measures aimed at building a democratic and multi-sectoral society and on the efforts to eliminate segregation and