A/HRC/10/80 page 6 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the protocol thereto as well as the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. 31. Burkina Faso had been strengthening the right of access to justice in recent years, for example by increasing the number of courts and judges. A decree establishing a legal aid was intended to facilitate access to justice for the destitute, which showed that the Government had understood the need to increase access to justice for the destitute and was acting to make that right a reality. 32. Individuals placed in custody by a prosecutor in cases of flagrante delicto must appear before a judge within two to three days. If an investigating judge ordered preventive detention, they must by law extend it within six months. As to the time taken to reach a verdict, that varied greatly depending on such factors as the complexity of the case, the attendance of the parties and witnesses and the availability of expert evidence. 33. Despite the Government’s efforts, problems remained with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights. Burkina Faso therefore formally requested the support of the Human Rights Council and its procedures, and of the international community, in the areas dealt with in paragraphs 19 to 21 of its national report. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 34. During the interactive dialogue, statements were made by 46 delegations. A number of delegations thanked the Government for its comprehensive national report and for the high quality of its presentation. Statements were made welcoming the State’s commitment to the review and the use of electronic and print media, which ensured wide consultations with stakeholders and transparency in the preparation of the national report, which openly addresses the challenges the country faces. A number of delegations praised the State’s continuous efforts to improve its human rights situation despite numerous challenges, including the difficult situation resulting from poverty. The ratification of most human rights treaties was also noted. A number of delegations welcomed the strengthening of the national institutional framework by the establishment, inter alia, of the Ministry for the Promotion of Human Rights and institutions such as the national human rights commission. 35. France congratulated Burkina Faso on the progress made, particularly regarding freedom of religion and the respect of the rights of minorities, indigenous people and human rights defenders. Although it stressed that, since 1988, Burkina has de facto abolished the death penalty, France recommended that Burkina Faso (a) adopt legislation abolishing it. Despite the independence of the judiciary, the Constitution provides that the Head of State can appoint and dismiss members of the judiciary. France inquired about the State’s intentions to reinforce the independence of judiciary. It also enquired about the measures intended by the Government to fully guarantee freedom of the press. France noted that sanctions against perpetrators of violence against women are rarely applied and recommended that Burkina Faso (b) adopt specific legislation to prevent and punish violence against women. While noting that there is no specific legislation to prevent discrimination against persons with disabilities, France recommended that the Government (c) take every possible measure to put en end to all discrimination against them. It also recommended that it (d) continue to implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption to prevent and punish corruption.