A/HRC/25/11 society and noted the education action plan (2003–2015), which took into account the specific needs of girls and women. It made recommendations. 91. Australia remained concerned by the humanitarian situation and the use of child soldiers. It urged the authorities to hold accountable those responsible for serious human rights violations. It acknowledged the commitment to abolishing the death penalty. Australia made recommendations. 92. Austria expressed concern over human rights violations and noted that such violations were hardly ever investigated. It expressed alarm at the use of children by local self-defence militias and the Seleka. It made recommendations. 93. Following the various statements made by members of the working group, interspersed with observations and recommendations, the members of the delegation of the Central African Republic, namely Claude Lenga, Minister for Human Rights and Coordination of Humanitarian Action, Arsène Sende, Minister of Justice, Parfait Kongo, High Commissioner for Human Rights and Eugénie Yarafa, Cabinet Director at the Ministry of Human Rights, replied as follows. 94. The rapidly deteriorating security situation was being resolved, despite the lack of financial resources, through the establishment of the International Support Mission (MISCA). The meeting of the Security Council held the previous week had been devoted to evaluating the redeployment of security structures throughout the country. 95. As to impunity, firm measures had been taken and some 50 members of the former Séléka coalition and a dozen of its “colonels” had been arrested; some had been tried and sentenced while others were still on trial. 96. A bill abolishing the death penalty was being prepared. The Government and Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (ACAT) were working to abolish the death penalty, and it would be removed from the Criminal Code by the end of the transition period. 97. As for the ratification of various international legal instruments, the Government had arranged to draw up a list of all the remaining international legal instruments that the State had not yet ratified. The Government planned to proceed with ratification according to its priorities and with the support of its technical and financial partners. 98. Regarding cooperation with the Human Rights Council, the Government had issued a standing invitation to the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council’s twentyfourth session. 99. A first wave of child soldiers had already been demobilized, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and others were being prepared. 100. The Government needed technical and financial assistance so that it could quickly emerge from the cycle of violence and resolve the severe human rights problem in the country. Several ministers insisted that the security situation had shown a marked improvement — especially in the capital Bangui — ever since disarmament operations had begun, the Séléka coalition had been dissolved and the forces had been confined to their bases. Similarly, the reorganization of the defence and security forces administration should make it possible to resume awareness-raising activities on human rights, including on the rights of minorities. 101. Regarding the National Human Rights Commission, the procedure had been initiated. 102. Concerning violence against women, several initiatives were mentioned, including a prevention campaign currently being developed by the Ministry of Human Rights and the GE.14-10056 11