A/HRC/15/7 effects, the Government continues to prioritize social safety nets, such as school feeding and orphaned and vulnerable children’s programmes and old-age pension schemes. 19. The delegation stated that the already high levels of unemployment had been exacerbated by the global crises. The economy was in dire straits, and economic and social rights would be seriously threatened unless the international community should provide additional support. Despite challenges, Lesotho remained committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and the Vision 2020 Strategic Framework. 20. In response to advance questions, Lesotho stated that it had maintained the death penalty under statutory law as a form of deterrence; the penalty had not been carried out for the past 15 years. The Government took note of the international trend towards the abolition of the death penalty. Freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment was guaranteed under the Constitution and was prohibited under applicable common law; and, in 2000, Lesotho had ratified the Convention against Torture. It provided information about the Police Complaints Authority and the Office of the Ombudsman, established to address allegations of torture in places of detention. The ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture would be considered. 21. Concerning places of detention, conditions have been improved considerably following the renovation of certain institutions in some districts, including the Mental Institution for Inmates, which is currently under construction. Nonetheless, there is still a need for infrastructural improvements, resources permitting. 22. The delegation noted that Lesotho adhered to the right to freely participate in public processions and gatherings, as well as to freedom of expression, in as much as Lesotho had the duty to ensure the security of the people. Through the enactment of the Public Processions and Meetings Bill, Lesotho was seeking to strike a balance between those two obligations. 23. The delegation stated that in Lesotho, freedom of press flourished and there were about 10 privately owned radio stations and newspapers, all of which enjoyed free broadcasting and publishing. Independent bodies such as the Lesotho Telecommunications Authority, the Media Institute of Lesotho and others regulated media issues. The draft media policy upheld the right of freedom of expression. 24. The delegation stated that the Children’s Protection and Welfare Bill, inspired by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, would be discussed during the current sitting of Parliament. The Government had put in place Child and Gender Protection Units at all police posts to respond to allegations of violence against children. A toll-free child help line for reporting abuse was also in place. 25. As the plight of HIV and AIDS had led to more children being orphaned, the Government provided payment of school fees, monthly grants and food packages to such orphans. 26. Concerning the protection of children in conflict with the law, the Government had enacted the Children’s Protection Act 1980. Rather than employing usual criminal justice procedures, the country had adopted the use of restorative justice. The Children’s Protection and Welfare Bill had further improved the child justice system. 27. The Constitution established the age of majority at 18. Lesotho was working on various pieces of legislation to bring them into conformity with the Constitution and international standards. 28. The delegation noted that, despite the existing reservation to article 2 of CEDAW, Lesotho had undertaken measures to ensure the elimination of discrimination against women, as well as gender equality, by undertaking a review of all discriminatory laws. The 5