A/HRC/8/43 Page 11 its socio-economic development. It noted that the issue of the death penalty has been referred to the NCC for deliberation and requires a referendum in any case. The question of the state of emergency is also a constitutional issue, which means that possible amendments to the law depend on the outcome of the NCC and can therefore not be identified at this point. On the issue of access to justice, the delegation stated that the programme in place focuses on criminal justice, but that the Government intends to extend it in the future to other areas, such as civil and administrative justice. The decentralization of the legal aid board is one of the initiatives already taken; lawyers have been recruited and are being posted in the nine provinces. So-called justice houses, where the legal aid board and the DPP will be present, will be constructed in five provinces. The delegation also referred to the training of local court justices, in particular relating to human rights of women. Through these trainings, Zambia hopes that local justices will be educated to deal adequately with laws relating to justice for women and children. In addition, local courts and some of the Magistrates Courts are being rehabilitated to ensure easy access to justice. The delegation also mentioned a programme to deal with the rehabilitation of prisons; a number of prisons have been identified, as already stated, and several donors are willing to support the programme. The delegation indicated that some prisons have already been rehabilitated. Offices of the victims’ support unit, one of the departments benefiting from the Access to Justice Programme and dealing mainly with gender based violence cases, have also been rehabilitated so that officers can have a conducive working environment. 37. On the PPCA and concerns voiced by Denmark, the delegation explained that the PPCA does not prosecute but makes recommendations to the police itself as well as to prison and police authorities, which take the matter before the courts of law in case of a criminal nature. As previously mentioned, at least 14 police officers have already been dismissed. On the question as to whether they are discriminating, the delegation stated that the customary laws are currently uncodified and administered by local courts in civil matters, with the possibility of appeal to the Magistrates Courts, the High Court and the Supreme Court. The 72 tribes in Zambia have their own customary laws, some of which are similar, but most of them are different. A study has been undertaken to identify similar customary laws for the purpose of codification in order to have, at least, written guidelines to which the local court justices can refer. The delegation also noted that harmful customary laws have been identified and outlawed through amendments to the Criminal Code, and that those violating these laws are being prosecuted. The delegation mentioned that polygamy is allowed under customary laws, that according to a survey some people were against it and others in favour, and that not all tribes practice polygamy. 38. As regards the Freedom of Expression Bill, the delegation stated that it had been deferred, but that recent announcements by the Ministers on Public Information indicate that the bill will be taken back to Parliament. Regarding the NGO Bill, the Government did what was necessary; a consultation process was under way. NGOs wanted to come back to the Government on several issues, and the bill should be presented to Parliament. On the question from China on measures taken to improve women’s rights, the delegation stated that, as a basic measure, sensitization campaigns in the provinces are being carried out to that effect. In addition, in 2000, the national policy on gender was developed, which outlines a number of items linked to rights of women. Zambia also intends to domesticate CEDAW, and legislation is currently being developed which will be specific to gender based violence. The Government, together with cooperating partners, has developed a joint gender support programme to expedite gender issues and to ensure that sufferings of women are alleviated quickly. On the question from France on child labour, the delegation stated that Zambia has ratified ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour and that the Government revised the Employment of Young Persons and Children Act in order to ensure full implementation of the Convention. Through programmes sponsored by the ILO, measures are being taken to eradicate