A/HRC/22/9 establishment of relevant national institutions to strengthen human rights. It commended Benin on the ratification of several international human rights instruments. 91. Argentina congratulated Benin on the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and on the decision of the Constitutional Court ruling that female adultery was discriminatory. Argentina made recommendations. 92. Australia remained concerned about prison overcrowding, police brutality and detainment without expedient trial; it encouraged Benin to strengthen efforts to ensure legislation was properly implemented and enforced. It welcomed the relatively peaceful Presidential elections in 2010 and encouraged Benin to support peaceful engagement in the political process, including through opposition groups and the media. Australia made recommendations. 93. Bangladesh noted significant improvements in Benin’s human rights record, particularly through the adoption of legislative and policy measures on preventing violence against women, special conditions for the entry of foreign children, poverty reduction, good governance, right to development, free and transparent elections and gender equality. It emphasized that the international community must financially support Benin’s efforts to combat poverty. 94. Belarus commended Benin’s efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and welcomed the visit of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food. It remained concerned at the significant percentage of extreme poverty and malnourishment, lack of protection of children’s rights, high incidence of forced marriage, non-registration of births, as well as high maternal and infant mortality. Belarus made recommendations. 95. Belgium asked what measures Benin had adopted to include the abolition of the death penalty in its domestic legislation and whether abolition of the death penalty would be enshrined in the Constitution. It also asked if the LGBT citizens enjoyed legal protection on the grounds of their sexual identity and orientation, and how the authorities would react if there were to be any prosecution on grounds of homosexuality. Belgium made recommendations. 96. The delegation of Benin pointed out that the State had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto on 5 July 2012. 97. The delegation highlighted that freedom of the press was recognized and guaranteed by article 24 of the Constitution, and was exercised under the conditions established by law. In practice, there were no restrictions on the exercise of that right; in addition to some 30 daily newspapers, there were also a number of private radio and television stations that broadcast in Benin in strict compliance with the code of ethics. 98. In respect of the Benin Human Rights Commission, the delegation noted that a preliminary bill amending the previous law had been drafted and submitted to the Supreme Court for comments. The delegation pointed out that Benin had received technical support from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Francophone Association of National Human Rights Commissions in the drafting process. The delegation also highlighted that the bill should be passed before the end of 2012, and that as of 2013, Benin could have a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles. 99. The delegation recalled that the Constitution of Benin guaranteed freedom of religion and of worship in strict compliance with public order and individual freedoms. It added that religious groups exercised their activities freely. GE.12-18655 13