A/HRC/17/14 commended Namibia for its accession to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), on 11 November 1982. Palestine made a recommendation. 47. India commended Namibia’s transition to parliamentary democracy from apartheid and a colonial past, noting inherited socio-economic inequalities and structural distortions. It acknowledged the establishment of judicial oversight mechanisms and the Office of the Ombudsman and emphasized efforts towards environmental protection, despite challenges of water scarcity and food security and the mining sector’s economic importance, and commended high public expenditure on education and health. Efforts to combat discrimination were welcomed. India sought information on planned measures to reduce high income inequalities and address perennial food deficits and encouraged Namibia to continue improving the administration of justice and expanding participation of indigenous peoples and minorities in development. 48. Singapore noted that, given its painful experience under apartheid colonial rule, Namibia has since its independence enacted various laws aimed at protecting human rights. It noted that Namibia had been among the countries with the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates, leaving many children orphaned. It noted that Namibia has rightly prioritized HIV/AIDS in its overall national human and economic development agenda. It also noted that Namibia is among the countries in the world that spend the highest share of GDP on public expenditures such as education and the health sector. It noted that Namibia has implemented a Comprehensive Primary Health Care Programme in all health districts in the country. Singapore made recommendations. 49. Turkey welcomed the enactment of the Prevention of Organized Crime Act and the database on gender-based violence, including human trafficking statistics and child labour victims. It noted restoration of social facilities as shelters for victims of trafficking and gender-based violence and a social awareness campaign on these issues. Turkey welcomed the establishment of the Communication Regulatory Authority, the Media Ombudsman Office including the nomination of a human rights lawyer to the latter, and commended Namibia for collaborating with UNICEF regarding birth certificates for newborns and identity cards for orphans. It noted decreasing HIV/AIDS infections. Turkey made recommendations. 50. Italy welcomed Namibia’s abolitionist stance towards the death penalty, and its cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNHCR and the Namibian Red Cross. Concerning freedom of press and information, Italy noted that criticism of the ruling party could, in some political circles, provoke harsh reactions including intimidation of journalists, which induced journalists to practice self-censorship. Italy sought information about measures to address this specific problem. It noted overcrowding of prisons and detention centres, which are poorly maintained. Italy touched on the prevalence of domestic violence and alleged forced sterilizations of women affected by HIV/AIDS in public hospitals. Italy made recommendations. 51. Namibia noted that it has gone into farms where child labour was reported to be a concern. Namibia has taken action to stop this offence and has taken measures to stop the perpetuation of this crime. Namibia will continue to look into child labour issues and will combine that issue with trafficking issues, including across the borders of neighbouring countries. 52. Namibia is working towards eliminating social inequality. It has decided to formulate a policy entitled the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework. 53. In response to questions and comments, Namibia explained, inter alia, that traditional leaders were recognized to the extent that their practice of traditional laws did not contradict the Constitution. Traditional leaders were not instruments for the subjugation 8