A/HRC/22/9 34. Congo noted that Benin had acceded to the Optional Protocol to the ICCPR aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. It noted the broad vaccination programme, free access to Caesarean sections since April 2009, free malaria treatment for mothers and children and the free distribution of treated mosquito nets. 35. Costa Rica congratulated Benin on the abolition of the death penalty and the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR. It enquired about the status of the bill to bring the national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles and the status of the national Observatory for the prevention of torture. It made recommendations. 36. Côte d’Ivoire noted the ratification of the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, as well as the amendments made to the normative and institutional framework which have led to the adoption of laws on prevention and repression of violence against women, displacement of minors and repression on trafficking of children. It made recommendations. 37. Cuba noted that Benin has strengthened its legal framework, and highlighted its fight against corruption and unlawful enrichment, strengthened by the 2011 law to eliminate these practices. It lauded Benin’s efforts towards gender equality, women’s empowerment, access to medical care and free schooling. It made recommendations. 38. Djibouti congratulated Benin on the efforts made since the previous review to strengthen its legal institutional framework to promote and protect human rights through national legislation and international legal instruments to which it is party. It made recommendations. 39. Egypt welcomed Benin’s plan to conduct a review of the Constitution and the strengthening of its domestic legislation. It made recommendations. 40. Ethiopia noted with appreciation the progress made by the Government in gender equality and the promotion and empowerment of women, especially in rural areas. It highlighted the Government’s initiative to amend the country’s Constitution to align it with its international human rights obligations, including the recommendations of the United Nations treaty bodies and the African Union. 41. France commended Benin for ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR on the abolition of the death penalty and for signing the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). It enquired whether awareness campaigns on female genital mutilation were under way and requested information on the actions to fight against forced labour. It made recommendations. 42. Germany commended Benin for abolishing the death penalty and ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR and the CRPD. It welcomed the Government’s efforts and progress in combating female genital mutilation and strengthening women’s rights. It made recommendations. 43. The Holy See congratulated Benin on its accomplishments in education, corruption prevention, death penalty abolition, prevention of violence and poverty reduction. It noted some forms of violence persisting in the education system, as well as in the police, the prisons and the family environment. It made recommendations. 44. Hungary congratulated Benin on its ratification of several human rights treaties and on steps taken to eradicate the killing of so-called “witch children”. It enquired whether the reformed Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure provided for the arrest of a suspect at the request of the International Criminal Court and about the process for the preservation of evidence and the protection of witnesses. It made recommendations. GE.12-18655 7