A/HRC/8/52 page 201 644. Freedom of the press was thus guaranteed by law. While the press was governed by a simple registration system, the broadcast media were subject to licensing, as Gabon was a young multi-ethnic State with underpinnings that were still somewhat fragile. Given the media’s impact on the population, it was sometimes necessary to ensure that that balance, which was a work in progress, was not disrupted. 645. With regard to the Pygmy population, the Gabonese delegation drew attention to all the measures that had been described during the review by the Working Group. With the support of the international community, the Government had formulated a plan of action aimed at protecting that population and protecting its rights more effectively. In addition, an integrated development project for Pygmies had been set up in collaboration with UNICEF. 646. Civil society was becoming organized with support from the State, pursuant to Act No. 35/62 of 1962, governing associations. Laws and regulations guaranteed the exercise of trade union freedom. Thus the right to strike was recognized, provided that the regulations in force were observed. To date no trade union member had been detained on account of his or her union views. 647. In order to meet the requirements of the treaty bodies, Gabon had created, by means of Decree No. 000102/PR/MDHCCLEI of 15 January 2007, a National Committee for the Drafting of Human Rights Reports. When the Committee had been established, the various constituent administrations had been informed of the deadlines and timetables for the submission of the various reports. With regard to the request of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education to visit Gabon, the delegation invited the Special Rapporteur to resubmit his request through the Permanent Mission of Gabon to the United Nations Office at Geneva. 2. Views expressed by member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome 648. Algeria congratulated Gabon on its cooperation and commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights despite the challenges due to the development needs in Gabon. Algeria appreciated the spirit of dialogue and cooperation with which Gabon has undertaken the exercise and its desire to meet its commitments in the sphere to human rights. Algeria noted the success of the new mechanism of the Council based on cooperation and interaction, thus allowing States to improve the situation of human rights in harmonization with their national priorities. It welcomed the decision of the Government to endeavour to increase school attendance and equal access for boys and girls to education. It noted Gabon’s commitment to pursuing its effort in the area of economic, social and cultural rights. Algeria also welcomed the establishment of a body to reduce the time for ratification of treaties. It noted that Gabon requires technical and financial assistance to implement its commitments and renewed its call to the international community to provide such assistance. Algeria referred to the issue of the follow-up by OHCHR in the sphere of technical and financial assistance to the implementation of the recommendations, which applies to Gabon and other countries and requested further information on the measures being taken to implement this. 649. Morocco congratulated Gabon on its exhaustive presentation and noted Gabon’s active role for peace in the region and its policies of constructing the rule of law within their country. It noted the establishment of drafting committees on treaty bodies, standard-setting