A/HRC/18/10 7. The basic law of Sierra Leone is the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. It contains an entrenched Bill of Rights under its Chapter III. In 2007, the present Government inherited a Constitutional Review Process which had addressed emerging concerns about legislation that discriminated against women and discriminatory provisions within citizenship legislation as well as questions relating to the abolition of the death penalty. The delegation indicated that this process had been put on hold pending the 2012 elections, given the fragility of Sierra Leone’s new democracy. 8. The Government planned to adopt legislation, prior to the next election, to accord 30 per cent representation for women in all public positions, including parliamentary administration and Cabinet positions. Consultations were ongoing on this matter. Information was provided on recently adopted legislation, including the Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act of 2007, the Devolution of Estates Act 2007, the Domestic Violence Act, the HIV Prevention Act of 2007 and the recently passed Disability Act. 9. Reference was made to the National Human Rights Commission established in 2004 which controlled its own processes and budget. It was expected that the Commission would shortly be accredited under the Paris Principles. 10. On the protection of women and girls, the Government intended to press the issue of curtailing and eventually abolishing deeply rooted harmful traditional practices such as early marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). Legislation had been passed to mandate the age of consent at 18 years. The Government has also embarked upon a massive sensitization of the population about FGM in collaboration with the United Nations. 11. Sierra Leone held its fiftieth anniversary on 27 April 2011. The UPR provided an ideal opportunity for serious stocktaking and showcasing the steps taken to meeting its international obligations. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 12. During the interactive dialogue, 41 delegations made statements. A number of delegations commended Sierra Leone for its commitment to human rights issues, for the national report which set out the challenges faced by the Government, as well as for cooperating and consulting with civil society in its preparation. A number of delegations recognized the human rights progress achieved after more than 10 years of civil war. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 13. Japan commended Sierra Leone’s efforts to promote the reintegration of former child soldiers. It welcomed the educational reform and the establishment of a free health care programme. It noted with concern the systematic abuse of women, girls and children during the conflict, the continuing gender-based violence, and structural and legal gender inequality. Japan inquired on specific measures taken to respond to recommendations made by United Nations institutions to amend discriminatory domestic legislation against women and to ensure equality in employment between women and men. It made recommendations. 14. Nepal noted with appreciation legislative and institutional initiatives undertaken and the efforts made for socio-economic development and enhancing effective service delivery. Sierra Leone was also commended for its reconstruction and rehabilitation strategies. Nepal urged the international community to support Sierra Leone’s initiatives through technical assistance and capacity-building. It made recommendations. 4