A/HRC/34/4 31. Various programmes to combat violence against and abuse of children had been launched with technical and financial support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners. In order to strengthen the monitoring of these programmes, a decree on the National Committee on the Rights of the Child had been issued. 32. With regard to persons with disabilities, a national protection strategy and a corresponding operational action plan had been developed. To promote inclusive education, teachers had received specialized training in order to improve the management and integration of children with disabilities. Togo had also been supported by Handicap International and the Togolese Federation of Associations of Persons with Disabilities. 33. The new law on the status of refugees in Togo, adopted in 2016, had brought the national asylum procedure into line with international standards. In addition, refugees were able to work in Togo. 34. Responding to the questions received, the delegation stated that the use of force by the defence and security forces was regulated by the Constitution, the Act of 16 May 2011 and the decree of 6 March 2013. The maintenance and restoration of law and order were governed by the proportional use of force and subject to a request from the competent authority. An independent commission of inquiry was investigating serious incidents involving the use of force and had facilitated the initiation of legal proceedings. In addition, a range of disciplinary and criminal sanctions were available. 35. Furthermore, the implementation of the new Code of Military Justice of April 2016 meant that no act of wrongdoing would go unpunished. 36. Togo was engaged in legal proceedings and activities to raise public awareness of the obligation to obey the law. Community policing policies were also planned in order to raise awareness of the risks and harmful consequences of mob justice. 37. In order to reduce prison overcrowding, pretrial detention would now be used only as an emergency measure and a model prison had been opened in Kpalimé. Additional resources were needed to address the shortcomings in terms of food and health care. 38. Progress had been made on birth registration. The birth registration rate had doubled to 85 per cent in 15 prefectures as a result of the operational action plan, and a reliable system for registration and the issuance of certificates was planned. 39. Freedom of expression was guaranteed by the Constitution and the Press and Communications Code. The Act on Freedom of Access to Public Information and Documentation, adopted in March 2016, protected access to public information. 40. Regarding the right to social security, efforts had been focused on the principle of universal coverage by extending the existing coverage for civil servants to workers in the private sector. With regard to the issue of female genital mutilation, the incidence had dropped from 12 per cent in 1996 to 2 per cent in 2012. 41. The new Criminal Code and the Individuals and Family Code prohibited violence against women, and victims of violence received assistance at counselling centres and women’s centres. 42. Togo was combating teenage marriage, teenage pregnancy and violence against girls in schools through awareness-raising, advocacy and efforts to keep them in school throughout higher education. 43. To combat child trafficking, Togo had boosted family finances by providing subsidies and establishing school canteens in poor areas. Between 2012 and 2015, 218 of the 553 child trafficking complaints filed had resulted in the prosecution of perpetrators, and cooperation agreements in this connection would be signed with Benin, Gabon and 6 GE.16-23163