A/HRC/29/6 41. On the question of fair trials, the delegation said that the matter was related to the massacres of 28 September 2009 and to the difficulties faced by fragile societies that had experienced such tragedies in terms of human resources, expertise and political challenges. The delegation said that trials relating to the events of 28 September would go ahead and would be thorough and rigorous. They had to be held for the sake of the honour of Guinea and of the victims, particularly the women who had been savagely attacked and assaulted. 42. Regarding the registration of children at birth, the delegation said that the Government was making considerable efforts to deal with the issue, in particular by decentralizing the civil registry to the communal level and by making the issue of civil status certificates free of charge. 43. As far as the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict was concerned, the delegation confirmed that the instruments of ratification were currently being transmitted to the depositary of the Convention. 44. With regard to violence against women, particularly female genital mutilation, the delegation admitted that it was a real problem and that the Government was tackling it with determination, although it ran up against a certain cultural resistance and a number of traditional institutions, which often influenced society more than the State. The Government had undertaken an awareness-raising campaign and had initiated some legislative changes and innovations, but they had not produced the expected results. The delegation explained that financial aspects needed to be considered, as well as the problem of retraining the people who performed female genital mutilation. 45. The delegation recalled that it had extended an invitation to the United Nations special rapporteurs, which had been delayed by the health crisis due to the Ebola virus. 46. The delegation said that the Government was committed to continuing its efforts to defend the principle of equality between men and women, women’s access to education, the place of women in the world of work and the rights of women in the family. In order to deal with those issues, Guinea would appreciate the support of the international community and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 47. With regard to the violence that occurred during demonstrations, the delegation agreed that law-enforcement agencies needed to be trained and to have a clear idea of their duties, besides mastering the appropriate techniques of maintaining order. It was also necessary to train demonstrators and activists from political parties. The delegation confirmed that the role of the State was to send out strong signals regarding sanctions in order to remind all parties that all rights were enshrined in law and should not prejudice others. Furthermore, the delegation added that Guinea was still considering and seeking the means of bringing an end to the culture of impunity. 48. The delegation said that the Government was working to ensure that violations committed by security forces that did not fall within the competence of the military courts were dealt with by the ordinary courts. 49. Regarding the forthcoming elections, the delegation said that the Government was determined to make every effort to ensure that they took place peacefully and in line with democratic principles. 50. The delegation thanked all those who were assisting Guinea in the health crisis it was undergoing, but said that the crisis would not prevent the Government from undertaking reforms for the promotion and protection of human rights. GE.15-07505 7