A/HRC/10/80 page 9 characterized by overcrowding in prisons and the lack of access to immediate legal aid. It was concerned at the presence of private militia and a sort of “local police”, in parallel to the public security police. Mexico recommended that the State (d) abolish capital punishment and (e) consider ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights abolishing the death penalty. 45. Encouraged by the way Burkina Faso complies with international commitments in human rights, Benin encouraged Burkina Faso to continue its efforts to sign and ratify the relevant human rights instruments. Benin noted that Burkina Faso is already a party to the Convention against Torture, and welcomed the signature of the Optional Protocol thereto in 2005. Benin enquired about national measures to ensure ratification of the Optional Protocol and about efforts to prevent torture. Benin recommended that Burkina Faso make an effort to ratify the Optional Protocol in order to set up a national preventive mechanism, like in Benin. 46. Chad welcomed the fact that Burkina Faso is party to a number of international instruments and recommended that the Government continue efforts to improve the human rights situation in the country and that, with the support of the international community, it take up the major challenges it faces. 47. Luxembourg was proud to be a partner of Burkina Faso in combating poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals. It supported the recommendation from the Committee on the Rights of the Child that it ensure that the statute of the national human rights commission is in conformity with the Paris principle to ensure that it is fully operational. It was concerned at reports of frequent use of torture and detention conditions. Luxembourg recommended the effective application of the Convention against Torture and the ratification of the Optional Protocol thereto. Luxembourg supported the recommendation of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women that full access be given to rural women to education, health care and credit, as well as to land and housing. It recommended that appropriate measures be taken to protect the most vulnerable children, particularly girls, disabled children and rural children, and ensure effective protection of children against sexual abuse, all forms of violence and exploitation, trafficking and child labour. 48. Pakistan noted significant progress towards a rule-based society, the strong role of the Ombudsman and the national human rights commission and the role of media as guarantors of freedom of opinion and expression. Pakistan also noted the establishment of a national ethics committee and a parliamentary committee on general, institutional and human rights affairs, and the steps taken to protect women’s and children’s rights. Pakistan acknowledged the State’s need for financial and technical assistance to promote and protect human rights. Pakistan recommended that Burkina Faso be provided all possible technical assistance it needs by the international community and OHCHR. 49. Albania noted with satisfaction the effective measures taken to reduce the practice of female genital mutilation and encouraged Burkina Faso to (a) continue its efforts in order to definitely eliminate the practice. Albania recommended that Burkina Faso (b) abolish the death penalty by adopting a law commuting all death sentences and that Burkina Faso (c) accede to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Albania recommended that Burkina Faso (d) consolidate cooperation with OHCHR to reinforce its national capacity in human rights, cited in paragraph 108 of the national report.