A/HRC/34/10 53. Nepal appreciated the efforts made to realize economic, social and cultural rights. It noted that a number of national action plans and institutions had been established. It welcomed the adoption of various laws. 54. The Netherlands applauded the country’s progressive refugee policy and the value it attached to civil society organizations. It expressed the hope that the access to health services of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons would not be limited. 55. The delegation of Uganda stated that the Government was considering ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and its eventual policy for the implementation thereof. The financial implications would need to be considered. The Government had adopted the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act in 2012, and as the Act was new, its implementation had not yet been reviewed. 56. There were various institutional safeguards to protect the rights and freedoms of all Ugandans under the Constitution and they were at liberty to seek redress in the event of grievances. For example, the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2014 had been reviewed by the country’s courts and found unconstitutional. The parameters of discrimination were defined under section 1 of the Equal Opportunities Commission Act, the Act under which lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons were protected from discrimination. The Government would not accept or tolerate discrimination and/or harassment, including of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. All Ugandans were treated equally, without discrimination. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons who were discriminated against in accessing services or in the enjoyment of certain rights could petition the Commission for redress. 57. On the other hand, Uganda could not accept activism or the promotion and public display of what people did in private. That was inconsistent with Ugandan culture, morals and customs. 58. The delegation stated that there was a de facto moratorium on the death penalty. Consequently, a recommendation had been made to amend all provisions of the Penal Code Act, chapter 120, that provided for mandatory death sentences, thereby giving the trial courts discretion to impose an appropriate sentence based on the merits and circumstances of each case. 59. Parliament was expected to attend to the Law Revision (Penalties in Criminal Matters) Miscellaneous Amendments Bill, 2015, during its tenth session. The Bill, for which input from the public and civil society had been sought, was currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. It had been inspired in part by the decision of the Supreme Court in the case Attorney General v. Susan Kigula et al. Following that decision, the Uganda Law Reform Commission had embarked on a study to review the Penal Code Act, chapter 120, and other laws. The findings of the study had been in consonance with the decision of the Supreme Court on outlawing mandatory death sentences. 60. Efforts to improve access to education for girls and prevent them from dropping out were ongoing. Affirmative action policies had led to an increase in the number of girls enrolled in high school and university. Reproductive health services were now integrated in the public health services. The Government was recruiting trained, adolescent-friendly staff. 61. Persons affected by albinism were not stigmatized or discriminated against; that had not been a major problem in Uganda, unlike the situation in other countries. Protection, especially health protection, was provided. 62. The Government fully appreciated the role played by civil society and wished to continue working with it in a transparent, accountable and cooperative manner. National 8