A/HRC/24/12 65. The Minister said allegation of torture and ill-treatment needed to be substantiated with evidence. Police Regulation of Bengal, 1912 provided a number of safeguards for protection to inmates and prisoners from torture in custody. In case of any proof of torture through legal proceedings, stern departmental action was taken against those responsible. The Minister sought support from development partners to ongoing police reforms for an organizational shift towards a consultative and service-oriented policing where scope for ill-treatment or malpractice would be minimized. 66. The Minister disagreed with the suggestion that enforced disappearance was frequently used by LEAs and clarified that the term did not exist in Bangladeshi laws, which recognized kidnapping or abduction as cognizable offences. She underlined that the association of LEAs or State machinery with such criminal acts was deliberately done to undermine their credibility and create misperception in the public mind. 67. The Minister said the Government had rescinded rules and regulations that were considered to have impeded freedom of press and has withdrawn the provision of arrest for defamation from the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Government had ensured that all reported cases of violence against journalists were followed through with investigation and prosecution, and some had been brought to closure. 68. The Minister said that the Government championed the motto: Each unto his or her own religion, but the State belongs to all. She invited the Venerable Mahathero of Seema Bihar, Ramu to say a few words, who spoke on peace and communal harmony in the country. 69. The Minister informed that, in view of recent accidents in the ready-made garments (RMG) sector, the Government had, inter alia, started developing a National Occupational Safety and Health Policy, formed a Cabinet Committee on the RMG sector and was preparing ground for implementing Better Work Programme with the International Labour Organization (ILO). 70. She said that Bangladesh maintained its cooperation with the Special Procedure mechanisms and had confirmed dates for visits by three mandate holders later this year. On repealing Article 377 of Penal Code, the Minister underscored that laws in the country should be in harmony with social and religious mores, and that the Government did not condone discrimination against any individual on any pretext. 71. The Minister said that the draft National Children Act, 2012 would internalize CRC provisions. 72. She briefed the meeting about women’s enhanced political empowerment, entrepreneurship and economic entitlements, including gender-sensitive labour laws and maternity benefits. She discussed six new laws to combat violence against women and steps taken to prevent sexual harassment and acid-related violence. 73. Australia was concerned at the losses of life, injuries and damages to religious sites and property in the most recent confrontations. It called on the Government to continue to allow provision of essential humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees. 74. Austria commended the Rome Statute ratification in 2010 and the adoption of the 2011 National Women’s Advancement Development Policy. It welcomed the juvenile courts establishment. 75. Azerbaijan highlighted the country’s accession to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW) and the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crimes, and others. 9