A/HRC/24/34 42. The execution of minors is a serious infringement of the commitments undertaken by the Government during its 2009 universal periodic review, when it committed to not impose capital punishment for offences committed by persons under 18 years of age; to ensure that the death penalty is not applied to minors; to review the use of the death penalty on minors and mentally disabled persons; and to take immediate steps to remove juvenile prisoners from death row (see A/HRC/12/13). F. Women’s rights 43. During the period under review, the National Commission for Women34 made efforts to promote the presence and participation of women in NDC. The National Conference on Women was held in March 2013 and produced a list of recommendations representing the needs of women during the transitional phase. The recommendations, which were submitted to the President for inclusion in Government policies, included: a 30 per cent quota for women’s representation in the legislative, executive and judicial branches; the economic empowerment of women and the integration of gender aspects in the State budget; the amelioration of health services for women and children; as well as responses to the needs of women in displacement camps, among others. 44. The Technical Committee to prepare for NDC, which consisted of 29 members, including six women, was tasked to ensure at least a 30 per cent representation of women in all constituencies, working groups and bodies.35 Women and gender issues have been mainstreamed throughout the NDC Working Groups. NDC members have organized field visits to seek people’s views and ascertain their needs and the expectations which they had of the NDC, including on women’s issues and concerns. 45. In November 2012, the position of Adviser to the President on Women’s Affairs was created to follow up on the implementation of the National Commission for Women’s recommendations of March 2013.36 Two female judges were appointed to the Supreme Committee on Elections. G. Marginalized groups 46. The Muhamasheen community continues to suffer from discrimination. Although the demands of some individuals working as street cleaners were met through the regularization of their contracts, the situation remained precarious for the majority of the community. In April 2013, members of the Muhamasheen community staged a strike in the capital demanding permanent contracts and social benefits, but agreed to its suspension after the Government promised to provide a solution within a two-month period. 47. Internal displacement directly affects more than half of the country’s governorates, with 13 of the 21 governorates being either a source or destination of such displacement.37 The total number of displaced people in Yemen decreased to 299,000 in April 2013, due to the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes, particularly in Abyan, owing to an overall improvement of the security situation, the resumption of basic services 34 35 36 37 The National Commission for Women is a governmental body under the authority of the Prime Minister. It is mandated to integrate women’s rights and gender issues within national policies and to improve women’s participation and their status in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres. The Presidential Decree establishing NDC included this requirement. Decree No. 55 of 6 November 2012. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), IDPs’ Voices & Views, Yemen’s National Dialogue (Yemen, 2013), p. 17. 13