A/HRC/12/5* 45. Malaysia commended Chad’s cooperation with the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Malaysia recommended (a) to undertake more effective measures to improve the security of women and girls, in particular those who live in the conflict and refugee areas; (b) to increase its cooperation with UNICEF and other United Nations bodies to establish a comprehensive strategy to ensure the protection of women and girls from all forms of violence, particularly sexual violence; and (c) to continue its effort to stop the recruitment and use of children by all parties involved in the conflict in the country and to work closely with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UNICEF and other relevant parties to demobilize children from the military and other armed groups. 46. The Democratic Republic of the Congo noted that Chad has made numerous efforts to maintain the country on the path of safeguarding democracy and setting up the rule of law. Special reference should be made regarding legislation on health, education and the fight against corruption. The Democratic Republic of the Congo encouraged Chad to continue its efforts to increase citizens’ awareness of the necessity of female education. It also recommended Chad to put in place, with the support of UNICEF, permanent structures against the exploitation of children as cattle herders. 47. Azerbaijan was encouraged by measures taken by the Chadian Government, including cooperation with UNICEF, to eradicate children forced labour. Azerbaijan recommended Chad (a) to step up its efforts in cooperation with United Nations agencies, namely UNICEF, to combat the recruitment of children into military forces and to reintegrate children released from the army into normal life; (b) to take all possible measures with the assistance of the international community to eradicate illiteracy and to ensure access to education especially for girls and women. It asked for further information on the state of progress of judiciary reforms and on measures taken, including with international assistance, to ensure the right to food, particularly for vulnerable groups. 48. Norway recommended Chad (a) to make it a Government priority to stop impunity for gender-based violence and take immediate and concrete steps to investigate crimes and bring those responsible to justice, (b) to establish a special judicial mechanism within its justice system to investigate allegations of sexual violence by members of all armed groups, including the Chadian army, (c) to publicly support human rights advocacy and create a safe environment for all who promote human rights, (d) ensure that all crimes and violations against human rights defenders and journalists are effectively investigated and prosecuted, and that those responsible are brought to justice. 49. Austria recommended that the Government (a) release underage fighters from its military forces and effectively prosecute persons who are responsible for recruiting children for armed groups, in particular in camps and villages in eastern Chad, criminalize recruitment of children under domestic laws and establish a national institution to coordinate the release and reintegration of released children, as agreed during the visit of the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in May 2008; and (b) take a systematic approach that includes, inter alia, stringent selection processes for and effective supervision of conduct of public officials and judges, as well as human rights training. It also strongly recommended that the Government (c) take measures to ensure the protection of all women from rape and sexual violence, including female genital mutilation. 50. Slovenia recommended that Chad (a) take all necessary legislative and policy measures to address and prevent all forms of violence against children in all settings, including corporal punishment in the family, and strengthen awareness-raising activities; (b) take immediate and adequate measures to ensure that the minimum age for recruitment in military forces is 18, to release underage fighters from its military forces and to facilitate contact between armed groups and the United Nations in order to demobilize and prevent the recruitment of children, particularly the practice of recruitment of children in refugee camps; (c) take all necessary measures to protect all children in internally displaced persons 10 GE.09-16375