A/HRC/31/9 44. The Russian Federation noted the new Constitution and efforts to eliminate racial discrimination. 45. Sierra Leone welcomed the establishment of transitional justice mechanisms to address past human rights violations and the plans to implement free and compulsory education. It expressed concern about trafficking in children and their sexual exploitation. 46. Singapore acknowledged increases in the number of qualified and trained teachers in basic education and literacy rates. It noted the efforts to promote and protect the right to health, including the National Health Policy 2014. 47. Slovakia expressed concern about reports of increasing violence against women in the aftermath of the April earthquakes, and harassment of and reprisals against journalists and human rights defenders. 48. Slovenia welcomed the adoption of the new Constitution and the national plan on the elimination of child labour. It expressed continuing concern regarding the high number of children under the minimum age working and about gender-based violence, including domestic and sexual violence. 49. South Africa recognized the progress made with the new Constitution, expressing hope that it would ensure all fundamental rights and freedoms were realized. 50. Spain welcomed the promulgation of the new Constitution, which, in addition to other related aspects with human rights, defined the State as a multireligious State. 51. Sri Lanka welcomed the promulgation of the new Constitution, the priority given to incorporating a human rights perspective in humanitarian assistance and the policy initiatives for the realization of the right to education. 52. Sweden expressed concern about discrimination against the Hindu minority population and the inadequate representation of the Madhesi and Tharu minorities in the new Constitution, as well as about systematic torture in prisons and the safety of female prisoners. 53. Switzerland expressed concern about excessive use of force by security forces during demonstrations and the incompatibility of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Investigation of Disappeared Persons with the international obligations of Nepal. 54. The head of the delegation of Nepal thanked delegations expressing sympathy for the vast loss of life and damage to property in Nepal caused by the recent earthquakes in the country. He noted that the Government was fully committed to addressing the challenges through timely recovery and reconstruction works. Nepal wished to thank countries, international organizations and the international community at large for their generous support. 55. Nepal thanked Member States that had expressed their support and encouragement for the promulgation of the Constitution, which incorporated democratic values and human rights norms. Nepal agreed that some provisions were highly ambitious. In accordance with the Constitution, Nepal had begun the process of adopting the legislation necessary for its implementation. 56. The Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Kamalshali Ghimire, said that transitional justice mechanisms had been established to ensure justice and reconciliation in the society. Nepal believed that the mechanisms would fulfil the necessary tasks by considering the nature of the conflict, the verdict of the Supreme Court, practices in other jurisdictions and international human rights standards. 7