A/HRC/23/6 international standards on women’s human rights by saying that the transitional authorities had two tasks: to reconquer the north of the country and to organize free and transparent elections. As the Government was the product of an inclusive dialogue, however, its purview was limited and it could not accomplish what democratic institutions had been unable to achieve. Moreover, it was not a propitious moment for such reforms, as they might undermine the social solidarity needed to restore the country to normalcy. In 2008, the State had committed itself to reforming the Personal and Family Code to eliminate the discrimination to which women and children were subjected. The unrest had intervened before that project could be realized, however, forcing the Government to temporarily set aside the reforms that would bring it fully into line with its international commitments. In addition, social reforms of that nature called for the State to be strong, and that was currently not the case. Once it was, however, the rights enshrined in the conventions would be incorporated into the domestic legal system. 49. As to what the transitional Government was going to do to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM), the delegation replied that the Government would continue to carry out the National Programme to Fight Excision and the national policy and action plan for the elimination of the practice of excision. 50. In response to the question on what the transitional authorities had done to prevent the arbitrary arrests, attacks and unlawful killings of Tuaregs by soldiers and proGovernment militias in the southern part of Mali and to investigate, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of such acts, the delegation replied that the Government was educating the population in general and the security forces in particular to prevent them from equating terrorists with the entire population of that area. The delegation emphasized that Mali is not at war with any religion, race or ethnic group, but rather with its attackers. 51. As to what assistance had been given by the transitional authorities to the International Criminal Court and whether the authorities would undertake to investigate crimes committed both in the north and the south of the country, the delegation recalled that it was the transitional authorities themselves that had officially appealed to the Court and that the Government’s willingness to investigate or have investigated the crimes committed both in the north and in the south is readily apparent. For example, the Government had set up a commission of inquiry into the events at Diabaly which was open to the participation of investigators from Mauritania, international organizations and civil society. 52. As to whether the National Programme to Fight Excision had been successful in raising public awareness of the harmful effects of FGM and whether there are further plans to curb that practice, the delegation replied in the affirmative. 53. In response to the question on what measures have been taken to improve the functioning of the educational system in Mali, the delegation explained that the gross rate of enrolment in the first educational cycle has risen from 82 per cent in 2009 to 83.4 per cent in 2010. Thanks to the assistance of development partners, resources have been invested in teacher training and pedagogical materials. The Ministry of Education has worked out a number of strategies that have helped to improve the enrolment rate. 54. Concerning legal protection of children from all corporal punishment, the delegation listed the law prohibiting torture, the provisions of the Criminal Code on combating trafficking in persons, the Child Protection Code and a number of decrees and texts. 55. Concerning juvenile courts and alternative forms of deprivation of liberty for children, the delegation stated that the Malian prison system made specific provision for children in conflict with the law. Juvenile courts had been created throughout the country and judges had been specially appointed to handle cases involving minors. In addition, there were apprenticeship centres in which children could be placed to facilitate their rehabilitation. 8 GE.13-11815