A/HRC/14/13 • Since 2007, awareness-raising campaigns and discussions aimed at promoting women equality have been carried out in various regions of the country. Traditional chiefs, State and non-State officials and members of civil society have been involved in those campaigns. 32. Furthermore, Madagascar approved law 2007-038 on 14 January 2008 to combat exploitation, sexual tourism and the trafficking in persons. The law provides for the provision of protection and aid to victims, including their social reintegration, through the establishment of welcome centres. The Government has also organized, as part of the project entitled “Fight against Trafficking and abuse”, a national awareness-raising campaign against sexual tourism affecting minors. During the same year, Parliament authorized the ratification of the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others. Madagascar has also concluded judicial cooperation agreements with neighbouring islands. 33. With regard to child labour, the labour code raised from 14 to 15 the minimum legal age for work. Night work and overtime are prohibited for persons younger than 18. A bill to criminalize the worst forms of child labour is being discussed. A special free telephone line has been put in place for reporting all forms of mistreatment and violence against children. 34. Concerning the death penalty, Madagascar is a de facto abolitionist State. Before presenting a new bill, the Government intends to conduct awareness-raising campaigns on the issue. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 35. Twenty-four delegations took the floor during the interactive dialogue on the universal periodic review of Madagascar. 36. The United States of America deplored the use of violence that had led to deaths and injuries; the use of a politically controlled judiciary; and the continuing refusal to participate meaningfully in negotiations leading to the resolution of the political crisis. It was deeply concerned about the abductions and arbitrary arrests that had occurred since January 2009, and stated that authorities should put an end to the impunity of its security forces and address the politically motivated imprisonment and lengthy pre-trial detentions. It noted increasing problems regarding children’s issues, particularly the commercial sexual exploitation of children and child labour. It made recommendations. 37. Canada was concerned about the ongoing political crisis and the serious deterioration in the administration of criminal justice. It stated that the increasing number of illegal searches, arrests, detentions and convictions inspired by political motives suggested a strong politicization of the criminal justice system. The restrictions imposed on freedom of expression and freedom of assembly had been hardened. Canada welcomed measures taken before the current crisis to establish a National Human Rights Council and appoint a mediator. It made recommendations. 38. France noted that, despite efforts taken to put an end to arrests without a warrant order and the excessive use of force, those practices continued. It requested information about investigations opened to punish those responsible for such acts, as well as planned measures to improve detention conditions. France also requested information about measures to ensure that no one would be arrested for exercising his or her freedom of expression, association and assembly, and about the status of progress in and the timetable for finalizing the adoption of the Communication Code. It made recommendations. 39. Slovenia commended Madagascar for having ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and for having adopted the Plan of Action for the World 7