A/HRC/31/6 Mauritania. In addition, the age of criminal responsibility had been set at 15 years, and special judicial bodies for handling such cases had been put in place. 63. The delegation indicated that the draft action plan against human trafficking had been approved at a workshop and was soon to be adopted by the Government and subsequently put into practice. 64. As regards the framework law on gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation, the delegation stated that it was about to be adopted. A bill to incriminate racial discrimination had also been drawn up and was soon to be adopted. 65. With regard to the situation of human rights defenders, the delegation stated that they were not confronted with any difficulties and emphasized that Mauritania was a State based on the rule of law, and that human rights defenders were also required to respect the law, failing which they were subject to judicial proceedings. 66. Ukraine welcomed the progress the Government had made, including in its anti corruption efforts and on poverty eradication. Mauritania continued to face challenges in terms of the eradication of contemporary forms of slavery. 67. The United Arab Emirates commended Mauritania for establishing the High Council for Fatwa and Administrative Appeals to strengthen the human rights system, and for effectively preserving the balance and coexistence between different cus toms and cultures. 68. The United Kingdom acknowledged the favourable response to the visit requests from special procedure mandate holders. It expressed concern about gender discrimination and legal obstacles to birth registration of children of refugees and asylum seekers. 69. The United States of America encouraged Mauritania to continue including civil society in security discussions. It remained deeply troubled that Mauritania failed to acknowledge and effectively prosecute perpetrators under its anti -slavery laws and was concerned about the protection of anti-slavery civil society organizations. 70. Uruguay highlighted the adoption of the national strategy for gender mainstreaming and encouraged Mauritania to redouble its efforts in that regard by working to implement the recommendations from the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. 71. Uzbekistan noted the enhancement of the National Human Rights Commission and the creation of the national preventive mechanism to prevent tortu re. It welcomed the accession of Mauritania to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol and other international treaties. 72. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was pleased that the human rights institution of Mauritania had obtained A status, that Mauritania had received a distinction from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in recognition for reaching the development goal on food security and eradication of hunger, and that it was building new social housing. 73. Malaysia appreciated the acceptance of its recommendations on the rights of women and children and on ensuring the food supply chain to the country, among others. It noted the national strategy for gender mainstreaming. 74. Yemen appreciated measures taken by Mauritania, despite a lack of resources, to strengthen human rights, including its accession to international human rights instruments such as the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the Optional Protocol to the Convention against GE.15-22687 9/26