A/HRC/44/5 34. South Africa welcomed the signing and ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 35. Spain recognized the reforms carried out in the justice and security sector, and the criminalization of torture in the Criminal Code. 36. The Sudan welcomed the commitment of Guinea to having constructive relationships with the Human Rights Council. 37. Timor-Leste appreciated the abolition of the death penalty in the Criminal Code and the Code of Military Justice. It also welcomed the adoption of the national strategic plan to end the practice of female genital mutilation and the national policy on social protection. 38. Togo welcomed the criminalization of torture in the new Criminal Code, the creation of the national committee to combat trafficking in persons and similar practices, and current arrangements to ensure the effectiveness of the law on the protection of the rights of persons with albinism. 39. Tunisia welcomed the efforts made with regard to women’s rights, sexual and reproductive rights and workers’ rights, and measures taken to improve the working environment. 40. Responding to questions and observations made by States, the delegation of Guinea stressed that Guinea had ratified all of the main conventions. Only a few instruments had not yet been ratified, including the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. The abolition of the death penalty in the Criminal Code was the first step towards the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the Covenant. With respect to the death penalties that had been handed down, there had been no executions since 2003. Guinea was a de facto abolitionist, while waiting for a formal law to be adopted. Death sentences that had been handed down would de facto be commuted to life imprisonment. There were still formal measures regarding the suspension of the death penalty or amnesty that must be taken. 41. The national independent human rights institution had been established by legislation adopted under the transition military regime. The principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles) were the foundation of that institution, but they had not been fully complied with. Studies were currently under way to restore the institution and strengthen its capacity. 42. In addition to the children’s code, the Civil Code took into account all aspects of discrimination against women. For the first time, the country had reversed the trend of polygamy. It was no longer a right or principle, but rather an exception. Civil authorities began marriage ceremonies by stating that the couple were subject to monogamy unless the man said to the woman and to the civil authorities that he intended to engage in polygamy. If the woman was not in agreement, the marriage would not take place. That was an important step forward towards the abolition of polygamy, which had been set out in legislation. Polygamy would be reduced gradually as society evolved. 43. The children’s code had been adopted and covered all of the provisions of conventions concerning the rights of children, including civil status. Civil status was mentioned in the children’s code and in the Civil Code. The Government was now aligning State services with the Civil Code with respect to birth and death registration. Forced marriage was prohibited in the Civil Code and in the children’s code. In the Criminal Code, marriage below a certain age was also prohibited. 44. The right to property was guaranteed under the Constitution and under all relevant laws. It could be questioned only if there was an issue of public utility. Political demonstrations were guaranteed by the Constitution of Guinea. The right to demonstrate was guaranteed. It was covered by series of laws, which called upon organizers to uphold a number of measures, including declaring the organization of the demonstration to the committee that oversaw demonstrations, showing that the demonstration would be peaceful and ensuring that security would not be undermined. The security forces could then oversee the demonstration without carrying weapons. 5