A/HRC/29/11 seekers for illegal entry and to ensure effective access to education by members of minorities, asylum seekers and refugees. 40. Regarding its recommendations during the first cycle, Slovenia enquired whether a national preventive mechanism under OP-CAT had been established. It also noted with concern the persistence of discriminatory practices against women and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population. 41. Spain praised the initiative to submit spontaneously a mid-term report in 2013 on the implementations of the recommendations of the first UPR cycle, but remained concerned at the persistence of gender violence and the high incidence of violence against minority groups. 42. Sweden stated that the adoption of the Human Rights Action Plan was positive, but the Plan failed to address in full certain areas, such as women’s and children’s rights. It added that systemic problems persisted in respect of the right to a fair trial. 43. Armenia responded to questions relating to the justice system. The draft criminal procedure code contained a separate chapter regulating juvenile justice. Recent changes to the legislation included ensuring that the participation of a representative for a minor would be mandatory from the moment of arrest. Further details were provided on the conditions of detention of juveniles and the applicable monitoring mechanisms, which involved both the Human Rights Defender and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). 44. The amendments to the Criminal Code of Armenia relating to torture ensured that all public officials who engaged in torture would be charged accordingly, with possible penalties of eight years’ imprisonment and exclusion from public office or the practice of certain activities for up to three years. Armenia also mentioned the specialized Torture Investigation Department within the Special Investigation Service and an order from the Head of the Police on applying the standards of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 45. Armenia referred to the construction and future expansion in 2015 of the Armavir penitentiary in order to improve conditions and solve overcrowding in places of detention. In 2011, a government decision had established a timetable for the implementation of measures to improve medical services in penitentiaries. 46. Armenia had amended the Law on “Alternative Service” in 2013. The new provisions distinguished between “alternative military” and “alternative civilian” services, allowing those whose beliefs prevented them from carrying arms to undertake military service without doing so, or not to undertake military service at all. Measures had been taken to remedy the situation for conscientious objectors who had been prosecuted before the entry into force of that law. 47. Armenia noted that the draft criminal procedure code contained measures to define detention as an exceptional measure of restraint in addressing excessive periods of pretrial detention. 48. Armenia provided details of deaths recorded in the armed forces in 2013 and 2014 and stated that the recorded increase could be attributed to more ceasefire violations. However, there had been a reduction in the number of suicides. The Prosecutor General had been taking steps to inform the public about cases and investigations in that area and had organized discussions on the issue. 49. In relation to criminal investigations following demonstrations after the 2008 Presidential elections, Armenia agreed that, while the investigations might have seemed slow, that was not surprising, given the volume and scale of the cases and the situation. In 7