A/HRC/32/13 that further changes to the electoral process must be initiated by the Electoral Commission, which the Government could subsequently consider. 48. Regarding the query on how the Government intended to improve the Office of the Ombudsman and the National Human Rights Commission to enable them to meet international standards, the delegation stated that the Government had initiated the review of the legal and administrative frameworks of both institutions, with a view to strengthening them and making them fully compliant with the Paris Principles. The delegation added that the Government recognized that both institutions required further human and financial resources in order to fulfil their mandates effectively, and would address that challenge as part of the review. 49. On the issue of when the Government of Seychelles intended to repeal section 151 of the Penal Code to decriminalize same-sex relationships, the delegation reported that the Government was conducting an overarching review of the Penal Code, under which section 151 would also be considered. No decision had been taken as to whether section 151 would be amended. The delegation noted that no one had ever been tried under section 151 (c) on the basis of his or her sexual orientation. 50. Regarding the question on the steps taken to prevent domestic violence, the delegation replied that sensitization programmes were used to educate the general population at all levels. The Government was also placing a lot of emphasis on capacity-building of law enforcement officers. The delegation added that victims of domestic violence could seek protection orders under the Family Violence Protection of Victims Act through the Family Tribunal. That Tribunal would be placed under the administration of the Supreme Court in the near future. The delegation stated that a new police child protection team had been established in 2015 to respond to child abuse, and that police stations had been decentralized to facilitate reporting of domestic violence cases. Furthermore, a domestic violence bill was expected to be adopted during the coming year. 51. On the question on plans to decriminalize defamation and what measures had been taken to ensure that restrictions on the freedoms of expression and opinion were compliant with international standards, the delegation recalled that those freedoms were fundamental rights protected in the Constitution. However, the delegation noted that a balancing act was needed when human rights conflicted with one another, for example the right to privacy and dignity with freedom of expression. According to the delegation, the provision of defamation was necessary to maintain the effective protection of persons and prevent the infringement of fundamental rights. 52. Regarding the implementation of social policies, the delegation reported that, in 2011, the country had launched a social renaissance campaign aimed at strengthening social policies. A national policy on family was awaiting governmental approval and a policy on the elderly was currently under development. 53. To reply to comments on freedom of expression for political parties, the delegation stated that all political parties, including the opposition ones, had equal access to media. The Elections Act allowed every registered candidate to broadcast matters related to elections. Noting that there had been complaints that one or two candidates had not had the right to express themselves, the delegation stated that there had been total freedom of expression and equal access to the media. 54. With regard to the efforts made by Seychelles to promote gender mainstreaming and to provide a specific definition of discrimination against women under the law, the delegation stated that the National Gender Management Team, composed of State and nonState actors, continued to provide support and direction for gender mainstreaming initiatives within the national institutions. It added that the Constitution guaranteed that every person had the right to equal protection under the law without any discrimination on 8