A/HRC/26/13 elections had been held, national election remained pending until the threats to national security and sovereignty had been eliminated. The delegation acknowledged that more effort was needed to establish some institutions provided for in the Constitution. Despite challenges and problems, efforts to strengthen the legal system and the rule of law had gained significant momentum in the past four years. 9. National development efforts focused on the consolidation of all aspects of social justice to ensure that every citizen had the ability to lead a life of dignity with development in a society that reflected the common values and aspirations. Equal rights and opportunities had become the hallmarks of the Government’s strategic interventions to ensure equitable distribution of basic services and the expansion of even development in all regions and localities. 10. The delegation stated that microcredit schemes for rural farmers, women cooperative farms, disadvantaged women, disabled citizens and other needy sections of the community had expanded significantly. The major Government institutions, the Eritrean Development Bank and other stakeholders had thus increased the level of investment and the degree of support to these disadvantaged groups. 11. The privatization of Government-owned entities and enterprises and the establishment of a privatization agency under the Proclamation issued in 2013 was expected to widen the opportunities for all citizens to benefit from the wealth of the nation at various levels. 12. Programmes to assist all the disadvantaged social groups had been expanded by the Government in collaboration with stakeholders and Eritreans inside and outside of the country. 13. The delegation provided information on the steps taken towards cultural transformations as well as to explore the cultural heritage of all the ethnic groups in conformity with the ideals of national unity and national development. 14. The delegation stated that Eritrea had redoubled its efforts to improve the life style and conditions of living of its entire population. The strategy targeting poverty elimination and transforming living standards was an ongoing effort. 15. The demographic distribution of services by the Government had shown remarkable progress in terms of access, coverage and viability. In the previously disadvantaged areas, as well as rural sections and periphery parts of the country, there had been continuing growth on all social indicators in the past four years. 16. Eritrea was on course to achieving three Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (Goal 4 on reducing child mortality, Goal 5 on improving maternal health and Goal 6 on combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases). It was also on track with four other goals. 17. With regard to human dignity, the Eritrean Correctional and Rehabilitation Services (ECRS) had a major undertaking of rehabilitating and reintegrating convicted prisoners into society upon release. 18. The delegation stated that torture was criminalized in the domestic legal system and thus close monitoring had been an established practice in the past four years. Moreover, evidence collected through these means remained inadmissible in courts of law. 19. The Government had also continued its strict policy of zero tolerance for all forms of sexual violence. Awareness campaigns had been stepped up by all concerned agencies and the police had conducted public forums and campaigns in high schools. 4