A/HRC/8/22 Page 4 adherence to the first Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Optional Protocols to CEDAW and CAT is under way. 7. Since the 1990s, Morocco has developed an institutional infrastructure, including by creating a national institution in accordance with the Paris Principles, the Conseil Consultatif des Droits de l’Homme (CCDH), the establishment of a Ministry for Human Rights, Administrative Courts of Appeal, the Diwan Al Madhalim (Ombudsman), the High Authority of Audiovisual Communication, the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture, the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs and the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad. 8. Regarding standard-setting and reforms, initiatives to harmonize domestic legislation with international standards included the adoption of a new Code of Criminal Procedure; the Family and Labour Codes; and the Law on political parties. Amendments were introduced also in the Criminal Code, including the criminalization of torture. The reform of the Communal Charter aimed at strengthening local democracy and streamlining the management of communal resources is currently in discussion. The reform of the Press Code is the subject of a broad debate involving all stakeholders; it aims at meeting international standards and striking a balance between public and private rights and human dignity, and the freedom of expression. Currently, discussions focus on the limited number of prison sentences provided for in the draft press code. In this context, Morocco stressed the importance of individual and collective freedoms for the preservation of a social equilibrium, and noted that an increasing number of associations were founded and assemblies were authorized, and that efforts were made to support the work of human rights defenders throughout the entire national territory. Reforms adopted to implement the legislative framework covered civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. The protection of individual freedoms, the presumption of innocence and fair trial standards were the underlying principles of the new Criminal Code. In the framework of the National Charter for Justice, the judiciary had undergone a reform strengthening its independence and efficiency. As to the fight against terrorism, Morocco, which has been a victim of this plague, has adopted legislation in accordance with international standards unanimously by the Parliament. Relevant departments were bound by this legislation. 9. Furthermore, Morocco highlighted its efforts to promote a culture of human rights, both through school curricula and through the media and training courses for law enforcement personnel. At the international level, Morocco, together with Switzerland, had initiated the elaboration of a United Nations declaration on human rights education and training. 10. Morocco paid special attention to the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as to children, including by establishing the Parliament of Child (Parlement de l’enfant) and the adoption of a national plan of action. A number of initiatives had been adopted with a view to empowering women, such as a national strategy for the integration of a gender perspective in development policies, and measures to promote the role of women in political and economic life, which had led to an increased representation of women in Parliament and Government. 11. The approach adopted by Morocco to facilitate the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights was consistent with sustainable development, and was limited only by available economic resources. It focused on issues such as restoring regional balances, the protection of property rights, strengthening of infrastructures and policies to facilitate access to housing, medical benefits and education. 12. The Equity and Reconciliation Commission has been set up to address past human rights violations and to achieve the four strategic goals of transitional justice: (a) establishment of the truth on these violations; (b) compensation for damages suffered by victims, including through