A/HRC/32/6 sections in various prison facilities and introduced measures and alternative sanctions to imprisonment under the new Penal Code. 71. As regarded the accession of Mozambique to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, consultations at various levels with a view to its ratification were under way. 72. On the existing mechanisms for the assurance of impartiality and independence of the work of the National Human Rights Commission, the Government explained that the Commission had been created in compliance with the spirit of the Paris Principles. Indeed, its pluralistic composition and independence from any State body allowed the National Human Rights Commission to function without any interference. 73. On the measures to prevent domestic violence and sexual harassment of women and girls, domestic violence was a crime penalized under the Law on Domestic Violence and in the Penal Code. Additionally, the Government had approved, in 2012, a multi-stakeholder integrated mechanism for the assistance of victims of violence. 74. With regard to the revision of legislation and policies for elimination of child marriage and other harmful and discriminatory practices towards women and girls, the Government had approved the National Strategy for Preventing and Combating Early Marriages, which aimed to create an enabling environment for the progressive reduction and elimination of such practices. 75. Singapore welcomed the strengthening of State institutions to promote and uphold human rights by prioritizing legal, institutional, economic and social reforms to combat corruption and to ensure better delivery of public services. It noted the expansion of the schools network and the implementation of programmes to improve education in schools. 76. Slovakia noted that gender-based violence remained a serious problem despite the legislative progress in protection of women and children from violence through the enactment of the new Penal Code in 2014. It encouraged improving its implementation by raising the awareness of the public and law enforcement officials. It shared concerns expressed by the Committee against Torture and invited Mozambique to end impunity and investigate cases of alleged police extrajudicial killings, torture and ill-treatment. 77. Slovenia welcomed the adoption of the new Penal Code criminalizing gender-based violence and establishing a legal and policy framework, although it noted that such violence continued. It noted reports that child marriage, adolescent pregnancy and HIV infections remained alarming common. It regretted reports of police use of excessive force, arbitrary detention and the use of defamation laws restricting freedom of expression. 78. South Africa welcomed the 2015-2019 programme to improve public services delivery and to contribute to economic and social development efforts. It noted the introduction of universal access to antiretroviral treatment for pregnant women living with HIV, geared towards the elimination of mother-to-child transmission. It encouraged Mozambique to continue its efforts to guarantee the right to development. 79. South Sudan noted the cooperation with OHCHR and human rights mechanisms. It welcomed the peaceful presidential and legislative elections. It appreciated that Mozambique was hosting refugees and asylum seekers. It applauded the country’s efforts to empower women and ensure their participation at all level of governance institutions, recognizing that discrimination against women was still a major challenge. It encouraged Mozambique to continue implementing the remaining recommendations of previous cycle. 80. Spain commended the progress made by the operationalization of the National Human Rights Commission and the election of the Ombudsman and the improvement of the independence of the judiciary and the increase of women’s participation in Parliament, 9