A/HRC/12/12 Page 4 8. Uruguay also adopted a law prohibiting corporal punishment or any type of humiliating treatment of children and adolescents. In April 2009, Uruguay enacted Law No. 18.476 promoting increased participation of women in political life. Moreover, gender was set as a cross-cutting theme in the Plan for Equal Rights and Opportunities. 9. The Government prioritizes social policies, such as the equity plan, the national integrated health system providing universal coverage, the plan to give Internet access to all children in schools and a new tax system. As of 2004, access to water and sanitation by the entire population is guaranteed in the Constitution. Public investment in education and health has increased. Pre-school public education, from the age of four, has been universalized. A general education law has established human rights education as a cross-cutting subject at all levels, including police and military training. 10. With regard to human rights violations during the former military dictatorship, the Government adopted a restrictive interpretation of the Law on the Expiry of the Punitive Claims of the State (15848), enabling the re-opening of cases. Legislation on archiving of memory and on historical investigation of human rights violations has been also adopted. On 4 May 2009, a draft bill on integral reparation for victims of State terrorism was presented to the Parliament. 11. Uruguay indicated that one of the remaining challenges is the prison system. In March 2005, a parliamentary commissioner for prison systems was appointed. A law on prison humanization was promulgated. Recently the Special Rapporteur on torture (who did not find any allegations of torture) and the Rapporteur of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on the rights of persons deprived of liberty visited Uruguay at the invitation of the Government. 12. Regarding the definition of discrimination against women of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, Uruguay indicated that there are nine laws which clearly define in various articles the principle of non-discrimination. 13. The reform of the language and concept of family law in the Civil Code is expected to be completed during this legislative session. According to the Children and Adolescents Code, adolescents can register their children even if not married. 14. Uruguay reported on a draft bill to amend the definition of sexual crimes and child pornography in the Criminal Code, whose approval was expected before the end of the current legislative session. 15. On the increase of cases of violence against women, Uruguay made reference to the preventive law and also indicated that since 1985, women’s organizations have been working to raise awareness of the problem of domestic violence. Women, neighbours, teachers, health-care providers now denounce cases of domestic violence. Uruguay also reported on the establishment of a National Consultative Council for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and a plan of action, as well as the involvement of civil society in this regard. It also made reference to statistics being gathered by the Ministry of the Interior and training provided to police and health officials. 16. With regard to situations of violence, ill-treatment and abuse of children and adolescents, Uruguay noted that children are now more aware of their rights and have several places where they can lodge complaints. The Integrated System of Protection of Children and Adolescents from Violence has issued its first report.