A/HRC/23/9 18. With a view to promoting full protection for the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Government of Burundi had prepared a press bill, in which the main innovation was the decriminalization of press offences. 19. With regard to economic, social and cultural rights, the delegation explained the progress made in providing access to basic social services, among other things, and said that the Government provided free education for all children in primary school. Health care was also provided free of charge for children under 5 years of age and for women giving birth. The delegation noted the challenges with regard to the quality of health care, the high mortality rates among children and the labour force, and problems of hygiene, sanitation and access to drinking water. 20. The Constitution guaranteed the principle of equality among all citizens and established a minimum quota of 30 per cent representation for women in parliament and in the Government. With regard to inheritance, matrimonial regimes and bequests, the Government had launched a study on the effects of having no written law on those matters and on the advantages of having one. 21. With regard to trafficking in persons, Burundi had ratified the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. In addition, the trafficking and exploitation of women and girls were prohibited under the revised Criminal Code. 22. Burundi had launched a study on the effects of having no written law on inheritance, matrimonial regimes and bequests, and on the advantages of having one. A national plan of action was currently being prepared and implemented in response to Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). 23. On the subject of ethnic minorities, the delegation stressed that the Batwa’s rights were protected and that their community was represented in both chambers of parliament and in other republican institutions, as provided for in the Constitution. 24. The Government had taken special measures to ensure protection for vulnerable groups, particularly albinos. It had ordered that cases involving violations of the rights of albinos should be handled without delay, and the perpetrators of such violations received the maximum penalties. 25. Burundi had not only ratified the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (see paragraph 21 above) after the first cycle of the universal periodic review, but was also considering adopting several other international legal instruments. 26. The delegation acknowledged that the country still faced difficulties and challenges, including in the areas of population growth, food insecurity and the effective implementation of the strategic framework to promote growth and combat poverty. Human rights violations were still taking place: they included murder, gender-based violence and violations resulting from conflicts over land. 27. However, there were early signs that the people of Burundi were ready to rebuild the country on new foundations with a view to achieving social cohesion and effective reconciliation. The vast majority of refugees had returned, and the last refugee camp — Mtabila Camp in the United Republic of Tanzania — had closed on 31 December 2012. Internally displaced persons were gradually returning to their places of origin. A truth and reconciliation commission would also be established. 28. After calling on all its partners to help Burundi with support of all kinds, the head of the delegation reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to continuing its policy of GE.13-12565 5