A/HRC/31/6 56. The delegation stated that article 9 of Act No. 2015/033 incriminating torture placed upon the competent judicial authorities a categorical imperative to immediately undertake an impartial investigation whenever there were reasonable grounds to believe that an act of torture or ill-treatment had been attempted or committed within their jurisdiction, even where no complaint was received. Regarding slavery, circulars sent by the Ministry of Justice to prosecutors in the various courts were intended to remind them of the obligation to act immediately whenever a complaint containing allegations of slavery-like practices was received. 57. The delegation pointed out that the Tadamoun agency received its own financial resources that were managed by a board of administrators in which all parties involved in poverty reduction and the abolition of slavery, including civil society, were represented. The agency also had the advantage of simplified and accelerated procedures for rapid intervention and could become a party to civil proceedings concerning slavery-like practices. 58. With regard to women’s rights, the delegation noted that the Government had launched a number of policies and strategies, such as the family policy and national strategies for the promotion of women and renunciation of female genital mutilation. In addition, early marriage was prohibited by the Personal Status Code, and the Government had conducted a number of awareness-raising campaigns against child marriage. The delegation also noted that Mauritania prohibited female genital mutilation, in conformity with the Criminal Code and the code on judicial protection of children. It likewise indicated that the Government was planning to evaluate and renew the national strategy on renunciation of female genital mutilation through public statements on the subject, alternative employment for practitioners, school enrolment of girls, the training of stakeholders and the organization of national zero tolerance campaigns. 59. The delegation pointed out that in order to promote women’s participation in the decision-making process, the authorities had taken affirmative action, such as the adoption of Act No. 2012/034 on access of women to electoral mandates and posts; the finalization of a draft framework law on gender-based violence; the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women; the preparation of a bill on combating discrimination; and work to develop the draft framework law on gender-based violence, incriminating rape. 60. The delegation of Mauritania stated that slavery had not existed in the country for a great many years. It emphasized that it was a country in transition which faced problems such as access to education and poverty reduction. The delegation recalled that special legislation on slavery was in place and would be effectively and immediately put into action. An allegation sufficed to set judicial procedures in motion; the law criminalizing slavery set out dual penalties — detention and a fine. It also provided for redress for victims, who automatically had the right to legal assistance, with no need to prove their lack of resources. Special permanent courts were to be set up, and partners were requested to provide assist ance to enable judges to be trained. 61. Regarding the question of issuing a standing invitation to special procedure mandate holders of the Human Rights Council to visit the country, the delegation indicated that Mauritania had never refused such visits. As to the submission of reports to treaty bodies, the delegation acknowledged that there had been delays, but emphasized the fact that a governmental body with specific responsibilities for such matters had been set up. 62. Concerning the problem of children in detention and their separation from adults, the delegation stated that there were centres for the reintegration of children in 8/26 GE.15-22687