A/HRC/24/4 19. With respect to women’s rights, a law on women accused of witchcraft was in the process of being adopted with the aim of punishing violence against such women and facilitating their reintegration into their original communities. A law on gender quotas had been adopted to promote women’s participation in civic affairs. 20. In the area of employment promotion, a special job creation programme for young people and women had achieved significant results. 21. Regarding the situation of persons with disabilities, Burkina Faso had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and adopted a specific law to implement it. Furthermore, a 2012 decree establishing social measures for persons with disabilities provided for 10 per cent of jobs to be set aside for them in the civil service and State institutions. A consultation framework bringing together stakeholders involved in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities had also been established. 22. Concerning the right to education, several measures had been taken, including the abolition of school fees, the provision of textbooks and school supplies to all primary schoolchildren, and the capping of secondary school fees. Children not enrolled in schools and dropouts were taken care of in newly opened non-formal basic education centres. Civil society partners were also involved in providing non-formal education to teenagers. 23. As to the right to health, the National Health Development Plan had been implemented and action was being taken to combat certain diseases. The delegation drew attention to the personal involvement of the Head of State in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the provision of free care for persons living with HIV. Health in the mines was another of the Government’s concerns. 24. At the judicial level, following the 2011 crisis, some law enforcement officials had been dismissed as a result of a disciplinary procedure, and judicial proceedings had been initiated against those who had committed human rights violations. 25. Reforms were under way to strengthen the independence of the judiciary. Moreover, measures had been taken to promote access to justice and address prison overcrowding by building new courts and prisons, implementing alternatives to imprisonment, and providing assistance to disadvantaged people in judicial proceedings. 26. On the issue of press freedom, the establishment of the press card improved the protection of journalists and media plurality was effective. 27. With regard to accommodation, the Government had established a building permit facilitation centre to reduce time and costs and adopted a national programme for the construction of social housing. 28. Concerning the right of people to an adequate standard of living, an early warning system had been set up to gather and analyse information with a view to preventing any situation that might affect food security. 29. Regarding property matters, the National Policy on Land Security in Rural Areas and the Act on Rural Land Tenure recognized the rights of all producers, including vulnerable groups. 30. The delegation also noted that the objectives of the universal periodic review would be fully achieved only if all States cooperated to strengthen the mechanism. Lastly, it thanked the members of the troika — Benin, Indonesia and Ireland — and also the delegations and all stakeholders that had significantly contributed to the review of Burkina Faso. GE.13-15534 5