A/HRC/18/12 23. Slovenia had asked which steps Suriname envisioned in order to further improve the accessibility and quality of primary education. The delegation indicated that Suriname had given great priority to building new schools in the interior. Two nucleus centres for distance learning had been established there. Public school education was free of charge; expectant mothers might remain in school and were given every opportunity to continue their education both during and after pregnancy. In order to ensure education to school dropouts, the Government also provided several vocational programmes. With regard to the quality of education, an improved 11-year basic education system was being piloted. The Government also supported several pre- and early school activities. 24. Slovenia had also asked which steps had been taken with regard to the elimination of violence against children. The delegation responded that there was legislation in place which provided for judicial intervention in case of abuse or other instances of violence against children. A ministerial decree forbade corporal punishment in schools; furthermore, a nationwide toll free phone hotline for minors had been re-established in 2008. 25. As to an update regarding the state of the December trials and the prospects for the conclusion of that case, the delegation reported that the trial was ongoing. Since the commencement of that trial, several defendants, witnesses and experts had been heard by the court. A number of witnesses still remained to be called and heard. Unfortunately, one of the judges of the Court had recently passed away. The process of replacing said judge was in its final stages. The trials were accessible to the public, the press and observers of human rights organizations. The delegation stated that the Government would not be able to give any concrete prospects as to the conclusion of this trial, since the issue would be decided by the independent court. 26. A question had also been posed regarding the current assessment of the state of prisons and other detention conditions in Suriname. The delegation acknowledged that even though significant improvements had been made in the past years, much was still left to be desired on these issues. 27. In 2007, significant progress had been made by the establishment of a special youth detention centre, where youth offenders were detained. That youth detention centre, named “Opa Doelie”, functioned according to the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which meant that the detained youth received schooling, recreation and professional guidance during the period of detention. 28. With regard to adults in detention, significant improvement had been made. The jails connected to the several police stations had been renovated. While there were still instances of overcrowding, it had been greatly reduced. The larger jails received daily nurse visits. In case of urgent medical circumstances, detainees were transported by ambulance to the emergency room. The detainees generally spent the better part of the day outside the cells. They received three meals a day and provisions were made for religious or medical meals. 29. The delegation emphasized that Suriname recognized that a great deal was still to be done with regard to the housing of detainees and prisoners. A Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons deprived of liberty of the Organization of American States would visit Suriname at the end of May 2011, which demonstrated the willingness of Suriname to further improve the conditions of all detainees. 30. The United Kingdom had asked about the views of the Government of Suriname regarding further enhancement of women’s rights and protection. The delegation indicated that the policy of the Government of Suriname was geared to a stronger partnership with the civil society in the formulation and implementation of the policy to enhance women’s rights and protection in Suriname. 6