A/HRC/44/5 national committee to combat trafficking in persons and similar practices; the revision and adoption of the children’s code by the National Assembly; the development of a national strategic plan (2019–2023) to definitively put an end to female genital mutilation; and the fight against impunity. 8. The Government had created, on 13 April 2018, a steering committee for the trial regarding the massacres of 28 September 2009. It was estimated that the trial would be held in June 2020. The steering committee was responsible for the organization of the trial, the mobilization of the resources necessary for that purpose, especially with regard to the compensation fund for the victims of the tragedy, and the establishment of a protection system for magistrates, victims, witnesses and all those involved. 9. The Government had just started the construction of a courtroom for holding the trial. The delay in the holding of the trial was mainly due to procedural issues including, inter alia, the appeal to the Supreme Court, which had struck down the order for the referral of the accused to the jurisdiction of judgment, and the work needed to ensure the compliance of the texts governing the types of offences perpetrated, in particular sexual violence. 10. The cases of killings documented during political demonstrations were systematically subjected to investigations. Difficulties were encountered in the investigations because the judicial police officers did not have the technical skills and capacities to conduct the investigations. 11. The delegation referred to the strengthening of freedom of thought and association, and of action of political parties; of freedom of the press; and of civil society organizations. 12. The delegation also referred to the mining code, adopted and implemented in 2011 and revised in 2013, which set out the conditions for the acquisition, exploitation and distribution of the benefits (local and national) of artisanal, semi-industrial and industrial mining; the adoption and implementation of the environment code, which emphasized the protection of fauna and flora and set out the conditions for mining; and the adoption and implementation of the investment code, which set out the conditions and facilities for investments. 13. The promotion and protection of human rights was irreversibly anchored in Guinea. The country counted on the political, technical and institutional support and assistance of all bilateral and multilateral partners on human rights issues, which were inseparable from economic and social development. Guinea remained convinced that the universal periodic review mechanism would be very useful to support the country’s commitment to human rights, and was determined to derive the maximum benefit from the mechanism within the framework of the effective promotion and protection of human rights in Guinea. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 14. During the interactive dialogue, 81 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 15. Mali commended Guinea on the adoption of the national policy statement for the promotion and protection of human rights in August 2019. It also welcomed the efforts made by Guinea to strengthen its legal arsenal to supress human rights violations. 16. Mexico recognized the efforts made by Guinea, including the abolition of the death penalty, the publication of the law on equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, and the criminalization of female genital mutilation. 17. While welcoming steps towards the promotion and protection of human rights through legislative and institutional developments, Montenegro noted with concern reports on discrimination against women in family law and practices harmful to women. Specifically, it called on the Government to improve access to sexual and obstetric health-care services. 3