A/HRC/40/12 15. As part of the implementation of the programme, a number of noteworthy measures had been taken, including: the validation of the paper for the national disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation strategy and the national programme by the Strategic Committee chaired by the head of State; the signature of the financing agreement for the reintegration of former combatants with the World Bank in June 2017; the official adherence of 14 groups to the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation programme; the official launch of the pilot disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation project on 30 August 2017, which had achieved its objectives; and the development of the reform strategy for the security sector. 16. The reform of the security sector being undertaken by the Central African authorities was a process of analysis, examination, application, monitoring and evaluation that aimed to build an effective and responsible security system for the State and its citizens, without discrimination and while ensuring full respect for human rights and the rule of law. It had thus been designed as an inclusive political process based on national ownership and a holistic approach to security. 17. Taking account of the lessons learned and failures of previous attempts to reform the security sector, the Government had developed a new approach, with support from international partners. Three major areas for action had been selected: capacity-building in the security sector; enhancing the security of people and property and restoring the authority of the State; and stabilizing democratic governance and the rule of law. The reforms identified on the basis of those strategic areas were being carried out in the shortand medium-term through plans of action drawn up by the various ministerial departments concerned. The reform of the security sector had thus been one of the key priorities for achieving peace and security presented by the Government to its partners through the plan for restoring and consolidating peace in the Central African Republic – the main instrument used in mobilizing resources. The Government of the Central African Republic had also committed to making available the budgetary allocations provided for in the Finance Act to allow for the implementation of steering mechanisms and ensure the viability of activities. 18. In order to ensure respect for the rule of law and legality in the prefectures outside Bangui, it was necessary to restore the authority of the State by redeploying police commissioners, judges and members of the defence and security forces to their respective areas of jurisdiction. The Government had been working on that for several months despite the increasingly difficult security context. 19. Concerning violence against women and harmful traditional practices, an order prohibiting female genital mutilation had been adopted by the Government in 1966. In a similar vein, Act No. 06.032 of 27 December 2006 on the protection of women against violence in the Central African Republic had been adopted and had served as the basis for the creation of the joint unit for rapid intervention and suppression of sexual violence against women and children in 2015. 20. The adoption of the Code of Military Justice in 2017 had marked the first step towards abolishing the death penalty. The moratorium that had been observed for several years was still in place and no death sentences had been handed down by the criminal courts. Furthermore, the issue was under discussion by a working group led by civil society and with the participation of the Government. 21. As to the national mechanism for implementation, reporting and follow-up, for several years the existing entity had only drafted reports but had not dealt with follow-up of recommendations arising from the reporting process. In order to remedy that situation, the Minister of Human Rights had launched a reform that would take effect in the coming weeks. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 22. During the interactive dialogue, 84 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 4 GE.19-00176