A/HRC/8/32 Page 8 19. United States of America enquired on the measures taken to protect the rights of Zimbabwean refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers, and to address reports of increased violence against Zimbabweans in South Africa. It asked what is done to improve the treatment of asylum-seekers by law enforcement personnel and to increase the access of asylum-seekers to the asylum system. It noted that South Africa has taken numerous steps to address the high incidence of sexual violence in the country, including the establishment of 52 specialized sexual offences centres. The Thuthuzela Care Centres, in particular, are well known as international models of good practice in the fight against rape linked to HIV and AIDS. The United States asked what resources South Africa will put into implementing the new Sexual Offences Bill and Related Matters Amendment Bill, and how South Africa expects the implementation of this law will reduce the level of sexual violence in the country. 20. China noted the completion of the peaceful transition from apartheid to a democratic society and the establishment of a comprehensive national system to promote human rights. It noted that South Africa has hosted historic conferences against racism and noted its cooperation with treaty bodies of the United Nations. South Africa has established many institutions to promote human rights which have adopted positive measures in promoting reconciliation and combating hatred. China requested further information on the specific achievements in this regard. It noted the significant progress and accumulated experience in promoting equality and eliminating discrimination and asked if South Africa has specific plans to disseminate these experiences. 21. Angola stated that in spite of all efforts undertaken by South Africa, inequality in access to education still remains in some areas. It recommended to South Africa to continue its efforts to promote and facilitate school attendance, particularly among children from economically disadvantaged families. It noted that South Africa is on track to achieve universal primary education by 2015, though achieving a quality education for all children will be a challenge, and asked how South Africa is addressing this particular issue. It welcomed the policies undertaken by South Africa to promote gender equality, and encouraged the Government to continue on this path. 22. The Democratic Republic of the Congo noted South Africa’s success in its peaceful transition from apartheid to the establishment of a democracy through a policy of reconciliation and national unity. It noted the Truth Commission, the Human Rights Commission, the Independent Directorate for Complaints, and the equality tribunals for the most underprivileged. It noted that South Africa is party to various international instruments and is open to various others, and stated that it is looking forward to South Africa’s adherence to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). The Democratic Republic of the Congo noted that despite the end of apartheid, de facto segregation remains and it requested information on the measures adopted by the Government to eradicate the legacy of apartheid. It noted that prisons have become overcrowded and requested information on what is envisaged to prevent this issue. It also noted that some agglomerations are known for the incidence of crime and it requested information on measures taken to tackle this phenomenon. 23. Cote d’Ivoire noted that South Africa for decades was faced with a situation which allowed the authorities of that time to ignore any human rights. One of the most difficult consequences is that the need for proper education for children was not taken into account, which led to another problem in the country with violence in all its forms. It welcomed legislative acts to protect economic and social rights and also the guarantees given by the police to respect human rights standards. It emphasized that with regard to the right to housing, more than 9 million persons who live in urban and rural areas benefit from the Government’s housing programme. It welcomed efforts to set up a State that is free from any forms of discrimination, and asked about the