A/HRC/40/11 68. Côte d’Ivoire welcomed efforts to strengthen the legal protection of women against gender-based violence. 69. Croatia welcomed the plans to abolish the death penalty and to halt all pending capital punishments. 70. Cuba highlighted efforts to improve the quality of and access to education and health care and efforts to combat communicable diseases. 71. The delegation of Malaysia stated that the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 had recently been amended to remove the mandatory death penalty for drug-trafficking offences. The Government had taken the initiative to abolish the death penalty regarding other laws that prescribed such punishment. That would necessitate parliamentary action. 72. Malaysia stated that the Prevention of Crime Act and the Prevention of Terrorism Act were not arbitrarily used against any person or group, and that no person would be arrested or detained solely for his or her political belief or political activity. A number of safeguards protected the rights of detainees, such as the requirement to immediately notify the detainee’s next of kin, the right to file a writ of habeas corpus and the right to make representations to the Advisory Board. Various measures had been put in place to protect the rights of detained minors. 73. The Peaceful Assembly Act had been enacted to promote freedom of assembly, and the Government was considering the possibility of amending it to strengthen the right to freedom of assembly. Freedom of expression was guaranteed by the Constitution. However, the Constitution also provided for the control of activities that might impinge upon the rights of other citizens. 74. Malaysia strictly prohibited any form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by law enforcement agencies, as stated in their standing orders, standard operating procedures and guidelines. Any investigation or interrogation was conducted with strict adherence to those orders and procedures. The Integrity and Standards Compliance Department had been established within the Royal Police. Malaysia had been applying the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. 75. The Government had amended its Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act to protect victims and was revising its law to curb forced labour. Malaysia had taken the decision to do away with outsourcing companies to reduce the risk of trafficking by employment agencies. 76. The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development had been providing shelter for victims of trafficking. They had been provided with adequate care and services in line with international standards and best practices. 77. The Government had established the Counter-Messaging Centre to fight terrorism narratives online, and was developing the National Action Plan to Prevent Violent Extremism. 78. The Government was committed to eliminating discrimination against women. To that end, the draft proposal of the gender equality bill was elaborated and the study on sexual harassment would be concluded by February 2019. Malaysia aimed to raise awareness and improve the effectiveness of implementing sexual and reproductive health education. 79. Female circumcision on babies was allowed as a part of a cultural obligation, whereas Malaysia objected to and did not practise female genital mutilation. 80. The Government had tabled a motion to increase the minimum age of marriage in relevant legislation concerning Muslim, non-Muslim and customary laws. 81. The establishment of community-based rehabilitation centres, industrial training and rehabilitation centres and independent living centres and the improvement of access to public transportation were among the measures that had been taken for persons with disabilities. The Government emphasized the concept of an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society. 6