A/HRC/18/7 development programme, notably with respect to domestic violence and prostitution. It made recommendations. 56. Norway commended Seychelles for the establishment of the Media Commission Act, appointments of members to the Media Commission, and the strengthening of the Office of the Electoral Commissioner. Norway also commended Seychelles for improving maternal and child health; however, it noted that girls under the age of 20 still accounted for approximately 14 per cent of all births. Norway indicated that violence against women and children remained of concern. Norway made recommendations. 57. Hungary recognized in particular the steady increase of child immunization rates and achievements in the field of literacy. Aware that climate change threatened the enjoyment of human rights, Hungary wished to receive more information on how the Government planned to mitigate its adverse effects. It noted that corporal punishment was still lawful as a sentence for crimes and that Seychelles refused to submit the initial report to the Human Rights Committee, due in August 1993, preventing the effective monitoring of the situation of civil and political rights in the country. Hungary made recommendations. 58. France noted the creation of the post of Human Rights Commissioner and the Media Commission and the recommendations of the 2006 election observation mission of the Commonwealth. France commended Seychelles for supporting the joint statement made at the Human Rights Council in March 2011 concerning halting violence and human rights violations based on sexual orientation and identity. It noted however that article 151 of the Penal Code prosecuted sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex. France made recommendations. 59. Turkey welcomed the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission, the Public Officers’ Ethics Commission and the National Tender Board, and the foundation of the Elections Advisory Board. It noted the 2008-2012 National Strategy on Domestic Violence, the 2010-2011 National Plan of Action for Gender Based Violence, the 20102011 National Gender Communication Strategy and the establishment of the Gender Secretariat as well as the National Plan of Action for Children 2005-2009. Turkey expressed its commitment to provide Seychelles with capacity-building and technical assistance in the areas of health, education, security and social agencies in accordance with the 2008 Framework of Cooperation for Africa. It made a recommendation. 60. The United States of America applauded the consistency of Seychelles in steadily improving the protection of civil and political rights, including freedom of assembly and association. It commended the progress on addressing prison conditions and the treatment of detainees. It however expressed concern over lengthy pretrial detentions and noted various restrictions that could limit the freedom of the press. It made recommendations. 61. Slovenia welcomed the ratification of Seychelles of most core human rights instruments, and the efforts devoted to their implementation. It inquired about plans for the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED) and the Optional Protocols to CEDAW, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), CRC and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). With regard to CRC, it asked about steps undertaken or planned to implement the Committee’s recommendations. It noted that the initial report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women had been overdue since 1993 and asked for information on the implementation of obligations deriving from the Convention. It made recommendations. 62. The delegation of Seychelles underlined that no political reprisal existed in Seychelles, that it was a democracy where the freedom of expression was upheld and that it was unaware of any blocked website. 9