A/HRC/23/38 detainees, who are under the jurisdiction of the public prosecutor’s office. The Independent Expert recalls the need to grant full respect for their rights, improve their detention conditions, specify their legal status and try them in accordance with due process. 49. The Independent Expert congratulates the Ivorian authorities for their full and unstinting cooperation in allowing him to access and meet with these detainees. 4. Promotion and protection of human rights 50. The Ivorian Government was asked to develop a human rights promotion, training and awareness-raising programme. Practical efforts have been made to protect human rights, notably in dealing with civilian detainees held in military detention centres. The number of human rights violations attributable to the FRCI, including arrests for crimes against State security, declined considerably from January to April. Clashes with the general public still occur, however, particularly in Nahibly and Port-Bouët, where the FRCI continue to interfere in land disputes. The Independent Expert welcomes the establishment of a joint body by the chief of staff of the Armed Forces and the UNOCI Human Rights Division to monitor FRCI violations. 51. The Independent Expert notes that the vast majority of victims of human rights violations still do not obtain reparation and are not represented by defence lawyers. Nevertheless, he has been informed of several joint initiatives taken by the Government and the country’s international partners to strengthen citizens’ access to justice, for example by establishing legal clinics in six regions of the country and by training judges. 52. The Independent Expert notes with satisfaction the recent establishment of the National Human Rights Commission, even though it has existed in law since December 2012. The establishment of this institution is important to the credibility of the ongoing democratic reconstruction process. The Commission’s balanced membership in terms of institutional representation, gender and areas of expertise in human rights is an encouraging sign that it will function properly. 5. Combating sexual violence 53. It was recommended that the State should provide victims of sexual violence with medical and psychological assistance and means of reparation, and prosecute perpetrators. The Independent Expert notes an increase in acts of sexual violence, particularly gang rapes, rapes of minors and rapes in school. Although rape is classified as an offence in Ivorian legislation, the fact that the assize courts have not been sitting has led the courts to reclassify the offence as “indecent assault”, which carries trifling penalties. The need to produce evidence of rape also poses a major obstacle. The Independent Expert wishes to remind the State that, although medical certificates play an important role in the prosecution of rape cases, they are not essential. He deplores the fact that police officers and officers of the criminal investigation service insist on seeing a medical certificate to take victims’ complaints. Despite efforts by the judiciary, female genital mutilation still takes place, due to the pervasiveness of cultural attitudes. It appears that no specific training on dealing with cases of sexual violence has been provided to the police, the gendarmerie or the Armed Forces, and that no legal aid has been provided to the victims. 6. International human rights commitments 54. To date, Côte d’Ivoire has signed a large number of relevant human rights instruments, and these are awaiting ratification by parliament. The UNOCI Human Rights Division has informed the Independent Expert that, with parliament, it has developed a strategic plan on ratification. The Independent Expert notes with satisfaction that human rights training has been incorporated into the education system. He now urges the GE.13-15028 11