A/HRC/31/5 assistance had yet to come to help Lebanon face the numerous challenges that were impeding progress in implementing the review recommendations. 56. Belgium praised the efforts of Lebanon to improve protection of human rights and its generous hosting of refugees who were victims of the Syrian conflict. 57. Brazil appreciated that bills establishing a national human rights institution and a national mechanism on the prevention of torture were under consideration, and the decision to extend a permanent invitation to all special procedures. 58. Canada welcomed the national report and the participation of Lebanon in the review. 59. The delegation briefed the Working Group on developments on women’s rights. The provision mitigating sentences for honour crime had been repealed, efforts were under way to criminalize marital rape and measures had been taken to facilitate the issuance of residency and work permits for foreign men married to Lebanese women. The Minister of the Interior had agreed to register civil marriages on the condition that the couple removed the religious sect entry from their national identity cards. The Ministry of Labour had taken measures to protect the rights of female foreign domestic workers, including on the translation and standardization of contracts and on mandatory health insurance. 60. The Government provided protection for children in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international conventions. In 2012, the Council of Ministers had passed Decree No. 8987 concerning the prohibition of employment of minors under the age of 18 in work that may harm their health, safety or morals. Forcing street child to participate in begging had been brought within the scope of Act No. 164 of 2011 on punishment for the crime of trafficking in persons, which had been adopted by the parliament. 61. As for sexual orientation, although article 534 of the Penal Code stated that sexual intercourse contrary to nature was punishable, two court decisions had indicated that article 534 did not apply to homosexuals. The judiciary had played an important role in preventing and opposing acts of violence or discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. 62. Lebanon had reaffirmed its commitment to combating torture by prosecuting officials responsible for torture and sentencing them to prison terms and strict disciplinary measures. The provisions of the Convention against Torture had also been incorporated in training programmes. An inspection body had been established within the law enforcement agencies to consider complaints and ensure that victims were treated humanely. The relevant authorities periodically organized basic and continuous training in order to ensure that confessions were not allowed as the only evidence without compelling forensic proof. The Internal Security Forces had issued a new complaint form, in line with international standards agreed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Several legislative measures had been taken to promote human rights, such as commuting the sentences of convicted prisoners who had been diagnosed with serious health issues. No one on death row had been executed since 2004 and the Government had imposed a de facto moratorium on the death penalty. 63. Chile acknowledged that Lebanon had welcomed more than 1.5 million Syrian refugees and noted that the need to ensure the protection and dignity of that population had to be addressed without delay. 64. China welcomed the development of the National Plan for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities, the National Strategy for Women and the National Committee for the Elimination of Child Labour. It appreciated measures towards improving conditions for Palestinian refugees, while remaining concerned about terrorist threats and the influx of refugees. 8