A/HRC/32/13 strong, effective and independent institutions, including the Human Rights Commission. It expressed concern regarding freedom of expression and commended efforts to address domestic violence. 37. Benin appreciated the national framework plan against drugs for the period 2014-2018, the advancement of gender equality in national development plans, the appointment of women to high-level decision making positions, the national action plan for gender-based violence for the period 2011-2015 and the enactment of the law on domestic violence. 38. Botswana noted policies addressing human trafficking, gender-based violence, education, food security and the administration of justice. It welcomed the police child protection team and asked for more information on how the team operated and whether it had registered any significant achievements. Reports of judicial corruption were still worrying. 39. Brazil welcomed the national gender policy and plan of action and the Gender and Law Manual. It was pleased about progress in the penitentiary system of Seychelles, including the opportunity for inmates to take courses and implementation of the resettlement day release and outreach programmes. It acknowledged amendment of the Probation of Offenders Act. 40. Burundi welcomed measures concerning the rights of children, women and persons with disabilities and the right to health. It congratulated Seychelles for establishing the Seychelles Human Rights Treaty Committee and its cooperation with treaty bodies and the special procedure mandate holders, to whom it had issued a standing invitation. 41. Cabo Verde noted that the national action plan on human rights would be an important framework for human rights efforts. Institutional solutions concerning the right to information and independence of the media should be pursued. Cabo Verde hoped that the small island State of Seychelles would benefit from substantial international cooperation. 42. Canada commended Seychelles for its commitment to the principles of equal opportunity and social justice through targeted social programmes and investments in health care and education. It encouraged continued efforts in those areas. 43. Chad noted that Seychelles was a party to most of the international legal instruments and cooperated with treaty bodies, both at the regional and international levels. It also noted the country’s legislative and institutional framework to strengthen the rights of children, women and persons with disabilities, as well as the media. 44. Chile valued the information contained in the national report that reflected progress in the area of human rights. 45. China appreciated the efforts made by Seychelles to implement first-cycle recommendations related to the enhancement of human rights mechanisms and the rule of law, and to improve cooperation with human rights bodies. It noted the progress achieved in the enjoyment of the rights to education and health. 46. On the comment made on children’s participation, the delegation of Seychelles stated that this issue was of great importance for the Government and that such participation was encouraged through many platforms, such as the National Youth Assembly and the National Youth Committee. 47. On the question of the Government’s plans to improve the electoral process in advance of Assembly elections in 2016, the delegation noted the electoral reform process that had been undertaken from 2011 to 2013, which had already brought significant legislative amendments and improvements to electoral processes. The delegation also noted 7