A/HRC/41/5 51. The Government would review its national policy on the prevention of civilian casualties to raise awareness about national and international laws and to prevent the establishment of military bases in public places; take feasible precautions during counterattacks; and conduct risk assessments and investigate incidents involving civilian casualties. An independent human rights department had been established within the National Directorate of Security to monitor its detention facilities and personnel, including at the provincial level. The department had based its work on the Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and it had submitted its quarterly reports to the President of Afghanistan and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). 52. According to the Human Rights Department, cases of torture and human rights violations had dropped by 93 per cent since 2014. Assessments made by the National Directorate of Security had demonstrated that most violations had been committed during arrest operations because of suspects’ negligence of warnings and for opposing armed resistance. The Directorate had developed a plan to strengthen its internal oversight and to increase awareness on the prevention of torture in 2019. 53. With regard to child protection, all juvenile detainees were currently sent to juvenile correction centres in their respective provinces following their arrest and debriefing. 54. The Centre for the Protection of Journalists and Media Organizations and the Centre for Coordination had been established to assess threats and provide protection. 55. To protect minorities and to ensure their security, a plan had been developed, resulting in a decrease in attacks against minorities. 56. Regarding international cooperation, the National Directorate of Security was actively cooperating with UNAMA, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission. Visits had been made to detention centres across the country by representatives of those organizations. National security institutions had signed a joint memorandum with the Commission. 57. The National Defence and Security Forces were prepared to take further steps; in particular, a policy document to protect human rights and prevent casualties during operations had been prepared and would come into force following consultations. 58. Significant progress had been made in women’s empowerment, the elimination of violence against women and improving access to justice. The law on the elimination of violence against women and an implementation strategy had been developed, while more than 27 women’s protection centres and family protection units had been established. The law against harassment against women and children had been approved, together with the relevant mechanisms to facilitate its implementation. The new Penal Code prohibited virginity tests without the consent of the person concerned. Within the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, two directorates offered legal services to survivors of violence and their families. The Afghan Women’s Chamber of Commerce had been providing technical and marketing support. One of the most important achievements was the increase in women’s participation in decision-making and high-ranking positions; there were now four women ministers, 12 deputies and four ambassadors. Women were better represented in peace negotiations. 59. The new Penal Code had reduced the number of crimes previously punishable by the death penalty. In addition, a special committee had been established to review those cases. On the basis of its findings, the commission had proposed to the President that the death penalty be replaced with life imprisonment. 60. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic welcomed the progress in promoting human rights by the establishment of national committees and the implementation of national programmes, including strategies to reduce poverty. 61. Costa Rica noted the instability caused by the conflict and terrorism. It was concerned that death sentences and violence and discrimination against women and girls persisted, despite the legal reforms. 6