A/HRC/40/16 human rights. In particular, this concerned the Criminal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Family Code. Thus, the recommendations on establishing torture, human trafficking, slavery, forced marriage and forced labour as criminal offences were fully reflected in the various codes under review. 10. Abolition of the death penalty had been explicitly included in the Congolese Constitution adopted by referendum in 2015, which represented a step towards ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. 11. The Constitution had established the following bodies: a National Dialogue Council, a Women’s Advisory Council, an Advisory Council on Youth Affairs, a National Council of Elders and an Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities. 12. The Congo had also committed to revitalizing the National Human Rights Commission by drafting a new law, Act No. 30-2018 of 7 August 2018. 13. With support from specialized United Nations institutions, the Congo was working to implement a policy of promoting and protecting human rights based on principles such as gender equality, non-discrimination and the elimination of violence against women. Cooperation with international organizations had already taken shape through the signing of frameworks and partnership agreements to combat gender-based violence and the establishment of sectoral projects for women. 14. Gender-based violence, including domestic violence, was a regular topic of awareness-raising campaigns and training workshops, including workshops for police officers and gendarmes. In its efforts to empower women, the Government ensured continuous support for income-generating activities through numerous actions conducted throughout the national territory. 15. The draft family code, to be called the Family and Personal Code, had abolished all provisions which discriminated against women with regard to inheritance and traditional rites. 16. The State protected children against economic and social exploitation. Article 40 of the Constitution, the Act of 14 June 2010 on child protection in the Republic of the Congo and the Labour Code all strictly prohibited children under 16 from working. 17. Pending adoption of the bill on combating trafficking in persons, the Government, specialized United Nations institutions and non-governmental organizations were taking action to combat the scourge of trafficking in children through prevention, identification of victims, reception and care, repatriation and reintegration. 18. Schooling was compulsory up to the age of 16. The right to education and equal access to instruction and training were ensured for all Congolese children. 19. Vulnerable groups received a great deal of attention from the Government. Several initiatives taken by the public authorities had resulted in action plans to promote and protect persons with disabilities. 20. In addition to its efforts devoted to hosting refugees, the Congo had been faced in the past few years with the internal displacement of populations in Pool department. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had put in place a humanitarian response plan in 2017 in order to support the efforts of the Government. 21. An agreement on a ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities in Pool department had been signed. In March 2018, a further humanitarian response plan had been launched. For almost one year, peace had gradually been returning to the department and a disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme was under way. 22. Pursuant to the Act of 25 February 2011, the new Constitution had consolidated the legal framework for the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. In order to reduce the inequalities and discrimination that threatened them, the Government and its partners, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), had already signed a Convention and developed action plans aimed at improving the quality of life of indigenous peoples. GE.18-22821 3