A/HRC/32/47 monitor the legality of detentions and the treatment of detainees and prison conditions, and allow them to conduct regular and unannounced visits, and act promptly on their recommendations. (e) Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 123. The commission also recommends that the Government of Eritrea put an immediate end to the use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, establish adequate complaints mechanisms and ensure that prompt and effective investigations are conducted into all allegations of torture and ill-treatment with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice. (f) Discrimination on religious or ethnic grounds 124. The commission further recommends that the Government of Eritrea: (a) Respect freedom of religion or belief; (b) Put an end to the practice of arbitrary arrest and detention of individuals based on their religious beliefs, in particular followers of specific religious groups, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Pentecostals and other non-authorized religious groups, and release immediately and unconditionally all those unlawfully and arbitrarily detained; (c) Ensure the protection of all minority ethnic groups in Eritrea, in particular the Kunama and the Afar. (g) Sexual and gender-based violence 125. The commission recommends that the Government of Eritrea: (a) Adopt a comprehensive strategy to eliminate stereotypes and harmful practices that discriminate against women and girls, including forced marriage, and ensure that the minimum age of marriage, set at 18 years of age, is strictly enforced; (b) Take measures to ensure de facto gender equality, and address all forms of violence and discrimination against women, including sexual and gender-based violence, particularly within State institutions, such as military camps and places of detention; (c) During mandatory military training, prohibit the assignment of women and girls to officials’ quarters for forced domestic servitude, and implement a zerotolerance policy for sexual abuse in the army and in detention centres; (d) Ensure that all forms of sexual violence are criminalized in national law, and take appropriate legislative and policy steps to establish complaint mechanisms and to ensure the prompt and adequate investigation, prosecution and accountability of perpetrators, including by strengthening the capacity of the criminal justice system; (e) Adopt gender-sensitive procedures to avoid reprisals and stigmatization of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence by, inter alia, establishing special protection units and gender desks in police stations, and provide rehabilitation and support services, including safe houses, legal aid resources and health care; (f) Ensure that national laws and policies comply with the State’s international human rights obligations and are non-discriminatory by, inter alia, permitting prosecution of marital rape in all circumstances and abolishing legal provisions criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual activity. 21

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