A/HRC/22/5 B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 18. During the interactive dialogue, 60 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 19. Belarus referred to a number of international commitments made since Gabon ratified a whole range of international human rights conventions, including the Palermo Protocol. It highlighted efforts aimed at incorporating international standards in domestic legislation. It called upon Gabon to ensure full compliance with its international obligations, to submit reports due to treaty bodies. Belarus referred to the problem of widespread poverty, trafficking in persons, corporal punishment and sexual exploitation of children. Belarus made recommendations. 20. Belgium welcomed the decision made by Gabon in 2010 to abolish the death penalty and for its vote in favour of the adoption of the General Assembly resolution calling for a moratorium on the death penalty. Belgium expressed concern about the increase in ritual killings, most often of children, and frequently left unpunished. Belgium highlighted that domestic rape is not part of any legal domestic provisions. Belgium made recommendations. 21. Benin welcomed progress made in the strengthening of the rule of law, human rights and democracy. It noted with satisfaction the entry into force, in 2010, of legislation abolishing the death penalty and encouraged Gabon to take the necessary measures towards the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Benin invited the international community to support Gabon in its efforts towards the promotion of human rights. 22. Brazil welcomed Gabon’s progress in its human development index, the abolition of the death penalty, and the inclusion in its Code of Criminal Procedure of a section on cooperation with the International Criminal Court. Brazil also noted positively the accession of Gabon to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CPED) and to the Optional Protocols to the Convention against Torture (CAT) and to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on the involvement of children in armed conflict. Brazil made recommendations. 23. Burkina Faso noted positively efforts made towards the respect of the rights of migrants and encouraged Gabon to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW). It congratulated Gabon for the adoption of a National Strategy on Gender Equality and the reinforcement of penalties related to sexual assault. 24. Burundi commended Gabon for the implementation of various recommendations from its first review in 2008, notably in the areas of the abolition of the death penalty, the improvement of conditions of persons deprived of their liberty, as well its efforts of law reform to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women. Burundi made a recommendation. 25. Canada asked Gabon what processes and timelines it had put in place for introducing measures to promote conditions in which journalists could operate freely, in compliance with the rights to freedom of expression and of the press. Canada commended Gabon for its efforts to advance the status of women, including the adoption of a national strategy in 2010. Canada remained concerned at reports that domestic violence was widespread and that cases of rape are rarely prosecuted. Canada made recommendations. 26. Cape Verde noted efforts made by Gabon to implement recommendations from its first review under the universal periodic review mechanism. It noted in particular efforts made with regard to international human rights instruments and its legal framework, such GE.12-18722 5