A/HRC/40/5 55. The Senegalese delegation thanked all the States that had taken the floor and commended the efforts made by Senegal, which had a long tradition of respect for and promotion of human rights. The delegation was grateful for the recommendations made and questions raised, of which it had taken good note, and which essentially centred on combating discrimination, ensuring access to economic, social and cultural rights and acceding to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 56. On the issue of female genital mutilation, the delegation said that Senegal had adopted a law prohibiting the practice in 1999 and that the Criminal Code set out penalties for the offence, as reflected in the available case law on the matter. The multisectoral approach to dealing with the issue, with the involvement of the health sector and parliamentarians, among others, had resulted in a reduction in the prevalence rate of female genital mutilation. 57. With regard to the protection of children’s rights, the Senegalese Government had taken a series of measures. Measures introduced to remove children from the streets in 2013 had resulted in 1,585 children being taken off the streets, including 278 from Senegal, 107 from Mali, 55 from Guinea and 26 from the Gambia. Other measures included the modernization of Qur’anic schools (daaras) and the drafting of the Children’s Code, which was currently being finalized. It should be borne in mind that the majority of talibe children were from neighbouring countries in West Africa. 58. Regarding the Senegalese Human Rights Committee, the delegation had duly noted the recommendations concerning the application of the Paris Principles with a view to the Committee regaining A status. 59. In relation to prison overcrowding, the National Observatory of Places of Deprivation of Liberty had been established, and its president had been granted considerable powers. The Government’s efforts had been successful given that, of a total of 10,250 detainees, only 289 cases of prolonged detention had been identified. Furthermore, the pardons that had been granted had contributed to easing overcrowding in detention centres. 60. With regard to the issue of acceding to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which had been raised by several delegations, the Minister noted that the death penalty had been abolished in 2004 and that accession to the Covenant was under consideration. 61. Gabon welcomed the constitutional reforms to corporations aimed at integrating an environmental dimension in their activities in order to achieve a better distribution of natural resources. 62. Georgia called on Senegal to continue its efforts to strengthen cooperation with all international human rights mechanisms. 63. Germany commended the progress made in the modernization of Qur’an schools and their inclusion in the official education system, and welcomed the awareness-raising campaigns to reduce child marriage. 64. Ghana welcomed the independence of the Senegalese Human Rights Committee, the resumption of the drafting process of the Children’s Code to combat child trafficking and the adoption of the second national strategy for gender equality and equity for the period from 2016 to 2026. 65. Greece welcomed the actions to combat child labour and the legislative measures adopted in favour of gender parity, women’s empowerment and the elimination of discrimination. 66. Haiti welcomed efforts to improve gender equality and the right to health and education, and encouraged Senegal to continue its cooperation with international human rights mechanisms. 6 GE.18-22584