A/HRC/8/52 page 122 the phenomenon, Morocco was to conclude an agreement with the High Commissioner’s Office aimed at making both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the problem and its repercussions known. Similarly, a national survey was to be conducted to ascertain the prevalence of gender-based violence. There were also plans to strengthen counselling centres and shelters for women victims, working together with various actors, by establishing 16 new centres in 2009 in collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The Government’s social development strategy called for the creation of a rehabilitation centre for perpetrators of violence and the institutionalization of the National Observatory to Eliminate Violence against Women. Lastly, a multisectoral programme to combat gender-based violence, which was the result of partnership with eight United Nations specialized agencies, had officially been introduced on 30 May 2008. The objective of the programme was to promote women’s equality and empowerment and to reduce violence against women by half. 277. With regard to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Morocco had signed, the Government had, in tandem with the ratification process, prepared a bill on strengthening the rights of persons with disabilities which was based largely on the Convention. 278. With regard to the situation in prisons, King Mohammed VI had on 29 April 2008 appointed a High Commissioner General for Prison Administration and Reintegration whose role was to ensure safety in correctional establishments, modernize them and ensure that no violation of the law occurred within them. The High Commissioner General would be assisted in the performance of his functions by a Director, who would be responsible for creating adequate conditions for effective inmate training with a view to the professional and social reintegration of inmates after their release. In terms of infrastructure, the Moroccan Government was pursuing its programme of renovating and expanding existing prisons and was going ahead with the construction of seven new prisons, while three more projects aimed at reducing prison population density and improving living conditions were under consideration. The Moroccan Government was also implementing two other measures in pursuit of the same goal: the early release of a number of prisoners and the adoption of alternative measures to deprivation of liberty. 279. The Moroccan delegation provided the following information on efforts to implement the recommendations of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission, which was one of the Working Group’s recommendations. 280. With regard to reparations to individuals, it was noted that some 13,412 beneficiaries, representing victims of grave human rights violations perpetrated in the past or their heirs, had received compensation, with over 95 per cent of all persons so entitled having received reparations or compensation. Cooperation between the national human rights institution and the Government had led to the signing of an agreement on the inclusion of victims of grave violations in the basic health-care system. Under that agreement, the State would bear all medical expenses of the victims and their heirs. 281. With regard to reparations at the community level, 11 local coordination offices had been established in the regions that had suffered most from the violations in order to promote participation in the implementation of development projects for those regions.