A/HRC/16/4 requested Malawi to elaborate on its strategy to address those issues. Sweden made recommendations. 58. Norway congratulated Malawi on having achieved improved food security and commended it for advancements in the participation of women in decision-making. However, it was concerned by reports regarding violations of the freedoms of expression, the press, assembly and association, despite an existing legal framework protecting those rights. Norway made recommendations. 59. Malawi thanked all delegations that had made recommendations and stated that it would consider them seriously. On the issue of the decriminalization of same-sex marriage, Malawi emphasized that it had no law criminalizing such marriage, but a law proscribing unnatural offences. It noted Malawi’s historical background. Malawi had been a British protectorate, and when it had gained its independence, it had adopted all the laws then in force, including that regarding unnatural acts. In 1994, Malawi had adopted a new Constitution, under which a Law Commission had been established that was mandated with the task of reviewing all laws to ensure that they were consistent with the Constitution. The Law Commission was in the process of reviewing legislation. Since 2009, the Legislature had enacted more than 50 Acts of Parliament. 60 Regarding violence against women, the perception was that it was on the increase; in fact, however, incidents had not been reported until recent years. There had also been reports of cases involving violence against men. Therefore, violence against women had not necessarily increased, but had been further exposed. Those responsible for violence against women had been prosecuted. With the legislation that had been adopted and the vigilance exercised by the Government in prosecuting offenders, violence against women had been properly addressed. 61. Regarding prison conditions, in addition to having taken steps to build more prisons, Malawi had introduced other measures, including with regard to community service, the commutation of sentences, the granting of pardons and the possibility of parole. 62. Concerning the minimum criminal age of responsibility, there was a penal code amendment bill before Parliament that took that into account. On the marriage age, the Constitutional provided that any one could marry at the age of 15 with the consent of his or her parents. 63. Australia welcomed the positive measures towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. It encouraged Malawi to pursue gender equality in all areas of society, including in relation to sexual and reproductive health and the dissolution of marriages. Australia also welcomed Malawi’s interest in strengthening measures to prevent trafficking and noted that Australia has offered assistance in that area. Australia was pleased to learn about the pardon granted by the President to a homosexual couple sentenced to imprisonment. Australia made recommendations. 64. The United Kingdom inquired about the extent of the consultation with civil society in the preparation of national report and its involvement in the follow-up process. The United Kingdom shared it concerns about reports of intimidation and threats of closure of newspapers and incidents of arrest at public demonstration. It welcomed the pardon of two persons convicted of homosexual acts and urged Malawi to review its laws to ensure human rights for all without discrimination. The United Kingdom made recommendations. 65. Turkey welcomed the establishment of a Human Rights Commission and an Office of the Ombudsman, as well as the ratification of most human rights treaties. Turkey commended efforts to adopt the Police Act 2009, under which an Independent Complaints Commission had been established, and expressed confidence that Malawi would take steps to prevent and punish acts of ill-treatment. Turkey encouraged steps to make primary 9