A/HRC/14/13 resources available to the national mechanism established to protect women’s and children’s rights. It made recommendations. 46. Chile acknowledged the difficulties faced by Madagascar as a result of the sociopolitical crisis that had affected the country since December 2008. It made recommendations. 47. The Syrian Arab Republic considered that Madagascar’s national report assessed the human rights situation in the country in a transparent manner. It noted Madagascar’s positive role in the Human Rights Council. It commended Madagascar’s endeavours to develop an institutional framework for human rights, including with regard to economic, social and cultural rights, and its efforts to combat corruption. It made recommendations. 48. Madagascar noted all questions and recommendations made by the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Chile and Italy concerning human rights, the Maputo Agreement and a way out of the crisis, and indicated that replies would be given at a later stage. 49. The delegation provided specific replies regarding a number of concerns raised by the international community regarding arrests of journalists described as arbitrary, and stated that three journalists had been arrested on the basis of common law offences, but not on the basis of deprivation of freedom of expression or of the press. The delegation expressed its commitment to respecting freedom of expression and of the press, announcing that, for example, a dozen newspapers had been created within a period of six months. The delegation also indicated that politicians had been arrested on the basis of common law offences and could be released on fair bail, although their cases were still pending. 50. Regarding reported cases involving violent practices by agents of the gendarmerie and the investigation services, Madagascar was committed to investigating those acts of violence. 51. The delegation drew attention to the issue of the disappearance or abduction of a number of women and girls. It deplored the lack of statistics, but was committed to providing information at a later stage. 52. The delegation stressed the efforts made by Madagascar to improve the situation of women and children victims of violence, including marital and domestic violence, and indicated that its criminal code severely punished such acts, as well as acts involving the trafficking in and exploitation of children for sexual tourism purposes. 53. The delegation also indicated that Malagasy legislation criminalizes torture, which is severely punished. 54. The delegation indicated that Malagasy legislation prohibited child labour and that achievements had included removing some children from the labour market and reintegrating them into school or training centres. Madagascar was committed to continuing to improve the situation. 55. The delegation referred to the fact that Madagascar prohibited public meetings in certain locations to prevent the recurrence of the destruction of private and public property. 56. The delegation stated that Madagascar was considering allowing the national human rights council to function as soon as possible after implementation by Parliament. 57. Madagascar welcomed the invitation to adopt specific legislative measures to combat discriminatory acts against women. 58. The delegation recalled that, with regard to arbitrary arrests and degradation of the judiciary, the legal provisions of the criminal code, including its provisions aimed at 9