A/HRC/8/43 Page 5 Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) into domestic law, the Fifth National Development Plan for the period 2006-2010 prioritized the promotion and protection of human rights in the Governance Chapter. One of the activities that will be undertaken in order to achieve this objective is the domestication of international human rights treaty provisions, including of those four instruments, which are not already part of Zambian legislation. On the steps Zambia is taking to reduce the length of police custody and of pre-trial prison custody, it was reported that under the Access to Justice Programme, consultants were hired to develop a handbook on best practices and guidelines for the criminal justice system. The aim of the handbook is to improve case management by coming up with best practice guidelines for effective coordination, communication and cooperation amongst criminal justice institutions. 9. On measures that are being considered to help reduce the prison population, in particular in relation to judicial reforms, it was reported that the Criminal Code Amendment Act provides for community service as one of the penalties that can be meted out on a convicted person. However, in practice community service has been difficult to implement due to the lack of a clearly defined supervisory mechanism. The Act is currently being reviewed in order to provide for a supervisory mechanism for convicts sentenced to community service. Another measure that Zambia has put in place is the parole system. While parole has been provided for in the Prisons Amendment Act No.16 of 2004, it has not been put into practice due to certain mechanisms that have not been put in place. It is in line with this that a draft statutory instrument providing for such mechanisms, including the functions of a Parole Board that will oversee the implementation of parole, has been submitted to the Ministry of Justice for consideration and further action. In concluding, the Head of Delegation conveyed Zambia’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and to cooperate with the Universal Periodic Review mechanism both during and after the review. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 10. During the ensuing interactive dialogue, 39 delegations made statements, praising Zambia for its high-level representation as well as the quality of their presentation and their national report. 11. Algeria commended Zambia for the recent establishment of the National Human Rights Institution in accordance with the Paris Principles. It welcomed Zambia’s efforts to strengthen its national machinery on gender mainstreaming and recommended to Zambia to strengthen its efforts on gender issues. It commended Zambia on the continuing efforts to ensure the right to education, in particular in view of the increase of girls and recommended that Zambia continue its efforts to improve its educational system and seek international assistance in this regard. It also recommended that Zambia continue improving the living conditions of detainees. 12. China noted Zambia’s human rights legislation and human rights institutions. It noted Zambia’s considerable efforts in ensuring the right to life, and in improving the access to housing, education and other economic, social and cultural rights. China asked for information about the Ministry for the Integration of Women in Development and new measures Zambia intended to take to improve the observance of women’s human rights. 13. Latvia noted with appreciation Zambia’s efforts in gender mainstreaming and on the adoption of several policies and programme to promote the rights and full equality of women, including in the areas of reproductive health and the legal and social protection of children and women. It noted as well the high degree of freedom of expression enjoyed in the country, which plays a significant role in the promotion of human rights. It also noted with great satisfaction Zambia’s decision to issue a standing invitation to all special procedures, and called upon other countries to follow this example.