A/HRC/17/14 HIV/AIDS rates and easier access to anti-retroviral medication and thanked Namibia for its assistance on refugee issues. Angola made a recommendation. 71. Zambia acknowledged the accreditation with “A” status by the International Criminal Court of Namibia’s National Human Rights Institution. Applauding socioeconomic achievements, including with regard to education and health, it expressed concerns that violence against women and children remained a challenge and urged Namibia to address this issue as well as child labour and migrants, and to make torture a specific crime. Zambia welcomed the HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan and the Policy calling on all stakeholders to contribute in fighting HIV/AIDS. Zambia made recommendations. 72. Burkina Faso observed that Namibia had incorporated a Charter of Rights in its Constitution and invited it to place all sets of rights on an equal footing. It noted that human rights treaties are not applicable in all cases, thus limiting their application, and enquired about measures to remedy this situation, including through constitutional amendments. It also sought information on plans to integrate human rights education in its educational system and encouraged Namibia to pursue efforts to improve indigenous peoples’ and women’s rights. Burkina Faso made recommendations. 73. Mozambique commended Namibia for promoting the rights of indigenous peoples, including Bank funds, farm allocations, employment-related affirmative action and feeding programmes. It noted the Ombudsman’s powers to protect, promote and enhance human rights. Mozambique acknowledged compulsory and free of charge primary education and expansion of health care facilities in the countryside and health-care service improvements. Progress in empowering women and the scrapping of discriminatory traditional practices was acknowledged. Mozambique encouraged Namibia to continue enacting human trafficking legislation and implementing its HIV/AIDS programmes. 74. Sudan welcomed the consultative approach adopted for drafting Namibia’s national UPR report. Sudan commended Namibia for its multiple national legislation adopted to support international human rights instruments. Sudan welcomed the ratification of a large number of regional and international treaties of human right. Sudan raised one question concerning gender in particularly with regard to Namibia’s efforts to guarantee equality between men and women in land ownership. Sudan made recommendations. 75. France noted prison overcrowding and torture in prisons, and enquired about measures to prevent ill-treatment in detention, improve prison conditions and ensure detainees are judged within reasonable time frames. Noting widespread violence, including sexual violence against children, France enquired about measures improving the effectiveness of mechanisms to punish and prevent violence against children. Concerning prevailing discrimination against indigenous populations, impacting access to health care, income, education and basic services, France sought information on planned remedial measures. France made recommendations. 76. Nicaragua noted that Namibia began its democracy with a firm commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms. With only one per cent of its land being arable, Namibia faces problems such as extreme poverty. Nicaragua welcomed the high public spending and expressed support for Namibia’s long-term economic and social policy. Challenges also include high levels of inequality inherited from apartheid, which could be overcome through joint efforts in a single culture of equality. Nicaragua emphasized that a solid policy of education is fundamental if Namibia is to achieve this common objective. Nicaragua made a recommendation. 77. Pakistan reminded the Council to keep in mind during the review process for Namibia that it must remain cognizant of the harsh fact that the present situation of human rights cannot be seen in a vacuum, as the people of Namibia had suffered one of the most horrific violations of human rights for more than 100 years during the apartheid colonial 11