A/HRC/27/13 74. The Government had taken note of the comments made concerning in connection with journalists; it affirmed that journalists played an important role in society and would be protected. 75. The delegation said that the Government would ensure that the proper legal foundations were in place for the independence of the judiciary. 76. Any government employee caught or suspected of abusing office or violating human rights would be prosecuted with the full force of the law. 77. The case of Professor Augustín Esono Nsogo had been referred to the Office of the Public Prosecutor and he had been released from prison. 78. There was no censorship in Equatorial Guinea. All press organizations published their work freely, including all accredited international organizations. 79. No members of the political opposition had been detained for some time in Equatorial Guinea, and no such cases had been recorded in the recent past. 80. Child labour was prohibited by law. Energetic action had been taken in child labour cases, as well as immediate steps to eradicate it. 81. Efforts were being made to improve university course offerings and to broaden educational programmes, in order to make sure that everyone had access to education. 82. Special efforts were being made to encourage a multi-party State, with the Government and opposition working together. An agreement had been signed between the Government and the opposition, the parties to which had promised to support a multi-party State. 83. Microcredit loans had been provided, to women in particular, as a way of boosting the economy at the grass-roots level and a minimum wage was being rolled out on a gradual basis. 84. Judicial and administrative measures had been taken to eradicate torture and arbitrary detention, and perpetrators of such violations of human rights were punished immediately. 85. The President was the Head of State and guaranteed the independence of the judiciary. The Government had taken steps to ensure that civilian cases could not be heard by military courts, and that military courts could only hear military issues. 86. Turning to diverse issues, the delegation indicated that sexual orientation was considered in the framework of general rights, which meant that all citizens of Equatorial Guinea were equal and protected under the law. In addition, an oversight and monitoring commission dealt with transparency issues, and a standing committee on corruption had been designated by the Chamber of Deputies. Human rights awareness campaigns, human rights programmes and human rights departments were being developed in a number of institutions. Lastly, the two legislative chambers would appoint an Ombudsman. 87. The Government was trying to ensure protection for human rights defenders and was considering granting them special status. The Department for Human Rights held meetings with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and discussed the implementation of UPR recommendations. 88. A moratorium on the death penalty had been introduced in February 2014. A law had been enacted which provided for compensation to victims of torture. Measures had been taken to eliminate torture and arbitrary detention, as well as unduly prolonged detention. 9