A/HRC/8/36 Page 9 order to strengthen its efforts and welcomed the cooperation carry on with Cuba in the field of health. Finally Cuba recommended continuing improving economic, social and cultural rights. 36. The Russian Federation noted with satisfaction the establishment of the independent CHRAJ and requested information on the powers of this body and which cases of human rights violation it deals with most often. It wanted to know whether the Media Commission, tasked with defending freedom of speech, deals with individual complaints from citizens. It also asked what information work is being done on the negative nature of forced labour and what the results are. 37. Canada recommended a concerted effort to introduce measures to eliminate or modify customs and harmful traditional practices that discriminate against women. It also recommended a concerted effort to eliminate FGM, to put an end to harmful widowhood rites and implement protective measures for this group in relation to eviction and inheritance and to halt the practice of “trokosi”. Canada encouraged Ghana to take further action to eliminate corruption. 38. Canada also recommended Ghana to pass the Freedom of Information Bill and requested further information regarding its intentions in this regard. It further recommended that Ghana remove the death penalty from its legislation and become a party to the Second Optional Protocol to ICCPR aiming at abolishing the death penalty. 39. Philippines highlighted the President’s Special Initiative on Education for Prisoners as an exemplary programme that other developing countries can learn from. It was encouraged by Ghana’s efforts to combat child labour and promote livelihood and health care for its citizens, as well as its awareness of the need to address the issue of adequate and affordable housing. Philippines observed a positive trend that no executions have occurred since 1993 and that the President commuted a number of death sentences in 2007. It strongly supported Ghana’s pledge to continue to strengthen policies for the advancement of women, eliminate laws that discriminate against women, and promote the rights of the child. 40. Italy recommended that Ghana effectively implement the Domestic Violence Act and improve the functioning of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Units within the Police Service. It joined CRC in recommending Ghana to undertake measures to prevent child abuse and neglect and investigate cases of domestic violence ensuring that sanctions can be applied to perpetrators. 41. Italy also acknowledged with satisfaction the fifteen-year de facto moratorium on executions and recommended the adoption of a legal moratorium on the use of the death penalty with a view to abolishing capital punishment in Ghana’s national legislation. 42. Burkina Faso stated initiatives in promoting for example jobs for young people and countering poverty. It welcomed the establishment of a constructive approach related to cooperation between the State, the national institution and civil society actors. Despite objective constraints on the ground, rights of women and children situation enjoyed harmonious and legal protection. It urged Ghana to pursue its efforts for continuous improvement of human rights in the country as the best guarantee of stability in the State. 43. South Africa commended Ghana for its Constitutional democracy and in particular its CHRAJ and the Government’s leadership role in the African continent. It further requested information on the use of traditional medicine in its health administration, including the successes and challenges of programme in place; information on how the Government translated Constitutional Guarantee for basic education, in the context of the Capitation Grant Scheme and