A/HRC/21/16 105. Denmark was concerned at reports of violent attacks against women because of their sexual orientation. It inquired about measures taken to ensure that victims of gender-based violence had effective access to justice and social support services. It welcomed the Prevention and Combating of Torture Bill and requested information on the timeline for the enactment of the bill by Parliament. It made recommendations. 106. Djibouti expressed its appreciation for the promotion and protection of human rights and initiatives taken to ensure and guarantee the promotion of women’s rights despite challenges. Djibouti made recommendations. 107. Ecuador praised the efforts made by South Africa to combat discrimination and racism. It highlighted the country’s achievements, inter alia, the national health security system, universal primary education and the South African national languages draft bill. Ecuador made recommendations. 108. Egypt welcomed programmes that had a positive impact on quality of life. Egypt noted the challenges specifically related to xenophobia and social cohesion and was interested in being informed of lessons learned in this regard. Egypt made a recommendation. 109. Finland welcomed the progressive approach by South Africa to sexual orientation and gender identity. It expressed its concerns over cases of violence, including reported hate crimes against LGBT individuals. It inquired about measures taken to prevent such crimes. Finland made a recommendation. 110. France noted that South Africa was not yet party to OP-CAT or ICESCR. It regretted that LGBT persons continued to be targets of serious physical or psychological violence. It inquired about the conformity of provisions of the draft bill on transferring judicial powers to traditional chiefs with the principles enshrined in the Constitution. It made recommendations. 111. Germany observed that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) noted in 2011 that one in three children experienced hunger or was at risk. It referred to reports of attacks against non-nationals, where perpetrators relied on impunity and the difficult living conditions of migrants. Germany made recommendations. 112. Ghana congratulated the Government on achievements in, inter alia, the areas of health and education, land reform, social security and job creation. It welcomed the establishment of the Department for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, and the Departments of Basic Education and of Higher Education and Training. It urged the Government to implement the Action Plan to 2014: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2025. 113. Hungary welcomed governmental structural changes to better achieve the goals of the Medium Term Strategic Framework and requested more information on the main challenges on its implementation. It noted the draft bill on the prohibition and criminalization of torture. Hungary made recommendations. 114. South Africa then provided responses to questions presented in advance and during the interactive dialogue. 115. Regarding legislation on the crime of torture, the Cabinet had recently approved a draft bill criminalizing torture in South Africa, consistent with the provisions of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The bill was being processed through Parliament. 116. On the Protection of State Information Bill, it was clarified that the bill was not a media bill. The primary purpose was not to regulate or interfere in any way with the media or access to information, but rather to amend current statutes not consistent with the 13