A/HRC/39/4 2019. In addition, the Personal and Family Code was being reviewed to set the marriageable age at 18 years for both sexes. 73. As for the protection of persons living with HIV/AIDS, a law had been adopted to protect them from all forms of discrimination. 74. Concerning violence against women, a law had been adopted in 2015 on the prevention, punishment and reparation of violence against women and girls, and support for victims. Moreover, a national strategy for the protection and empowerment of girls had been adopted in 2017. Modules on sexual harassment and reproductive health had been included in the training given to pupils and teachers, and campaigns had been organized to raise awareness in that regard. 75. In terms of health infrastructure, there were 1,760 health and welfare centres throughout Burkina Faso. 76. The country was on the path to abolishing the death penalty, and awareness-raising activities had been conducted. Furthermore, the abolition of the death penalty was enshrined in the new draft Constitution and the new draft Criminal Code. 77. Regarding the follow-up given to the recommendations accepted during the previous review cycle, a national mechanism had been set up to monitor the implementation of universal periodic review recommendations, as had a national mechanism for drafting the reports to be submitted to international bodies. 78. The protection of human rights defenders was guaranteed in the Freedom of Association Act and the Act on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders adopted in 2017. 79. In addition, Burkina Faso had ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Optional Protocol thereto, and the National Observatory for the Prevention of Torture and Related Practices had been established. 80. To combat terrorism, the country had created special police and gendarmerie units and a judicial centre specialized in the punishment of terrorist acts. 81. The Government had produced a draft strategic prison plan aimed at improving prison conditions by 2022. Concerning detainees’ access to a fair trial, steps had been taken to strengthen defence rights. 82. The delegation of Burkina Faso indicated that the Koglweogo were not militias but security forces established by local communities to help to fight organized crime. Rights violations resulting from their actions were always punished, and efforts were still ongoing to ensure better supervision of their activities. 83. Namibia commended Burkina Faso for its adoption of several initiatives relating to human rights, such as the National Economic and Social Development Plan, despite the social and economic crisis it had experienced. 84. Nepal welcomed initiatives Burkina Faso had taken on curbing corruption, preventing torture, protecting the rights of children and the elderly and respecting the role of human rights defenders. It encouraged the Government to make the National Human Rights Commission fully functional. 85. The Netherlands welcomed the adoption by Burkina Faso of a law on human rights defenders and encouraged the Government to implement it and continue its efforts to create a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders. 86. The Niger welcomed the strengthening by Burkina Faso of its legislative and institutional framework on human rights. It also welcomed its establishment of the National Economic and Social Development Plan for the period 2016–2020 to enhance the effective enjoyment of human rights. 87. Nigeria noted with satisfaction the efforts Burkina Faso had made to strengthen its institutional framework for the promotion and protection of human rights and commended it for its adoption of a number of legislations in that regard. 8 GE.18-11224