A/HRC/16/78 Agenda for Change, and strategies adopted to address the challenges in the areas of health and education are some of the positive developments. 60. However, the level of poverty in Sierra Leone is very high, and the effective implementation of the poverty reduction strategy depends on the mobilization of resources by the Government, as well as on the support of international partners. The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone and other human rights institutions are facing enormous financial constraints which limit their capacity to comply with their tasks. Customs and traditions continue to bar full implementation of the laws intended to advance the protection of children and women, and harmful traditional practices, including FGM and gender discrimination, are still widespread. The low rate of prosecution, out of court settlements and interference by traditional leaders in judicial matters continue to undermine the judicial process, thus creating room for impunity, particularly regarding sexual and gender-based violence. The three gender acts enacted to address the rights of women, including the Domestic Violence Act, have not been fully implemented. 61. The law reform process, including the Constitutional review process, is making little progress. The reparations programme, including crucial recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, are yet to be implemented. The removal of the death penalty and the amendment of some blatantly discriminatory provisions in the Constitution are issues yet to be addressed, together with other existing obstacles to the full enjoyment of civil rights, such as the seditious libel provision. There has been slow progress in domesticating the international human rights instruments which have been ratified, and in fulfilling treaty reporting obligations. VI. Recommendations 62. The Government of Sierra Leone should: • ensure adequate support to the Human Rights Commission to enable it to fully exercise its functions; • enhance the capacity of the Human Rights Secretariat within the Ministry for Foreign Affairs through the appointment of a trained and permanent Coordinator, and the provision of an adequate budgetary allocation; • ensure support to, and enhance the capacity of, the Human Rights Committee in Parliament, whose role is key to ensuring the enactment of human rightsrelated bills; • ensure the full and timely implementation of crucial recommendations in the TRC report, including: • setting up the TRC follow-up Committee; • completing the Constitutional review process, including repealing discriminatory provisions contained therein, and abolishing the death penalty; • separating the Offices of the Attorney General and that of the Minister of Justice; • completing the Reparation Programme and the delivery of benefits to war victims; • decriminalizing libel; 14