A/HRC/24/15 cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, in 2009,1 namely, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. African regional instruments had also been ratified between 2009 and 2012. 9. As to the specific measures taken during the period under review, the delegation declared that key initiatives had been undertaken to improve the overall human rights situation. Access to high-quality, low-cost food remained a constant priority and steps had been taken to reduce the high cost of living and promote the quality of products intended for human consumption. 10. Concerning the right to work and access to employment, the delegation noted that, in February 2011, Cameroon had launched an extensive programme to recruit 25,000 young persons to the public service. It also emphasized that the country’s appeal to foreign investors and the implementation of major State projects offered good prospects for guaranteeing Cameroonians the right to work. 11. With regard to persons with disabilities, the delegation referred to the measures taken to promote their access to education, such as total or partial exemption from school and university fees. It also provided details of several achievements in guaranteeing the rights of persons living with disabilities. 12. With regard to the right to participate in the management of public affairs, the delegation noted that Elections Cameroon, a body established in 2009 to monitor the elections, had conducted its activities satisfactorily. Elections Cameroon had thus organized the country’s recent — and first — senatorial elections, held on 14 April 2013, and the presidential elections of October 2011. The delegation listed various measures that had facilitated successful elections, including the free establishment of national identity cards and the effective operation of all the regional and departmental branches of Elections Cameroon. The adoption of a single Electoral Code and the overhaul of the electoral rolls using biometric data strengthened the transparency of elections and confidence in the electoral process. 13. The delegation emphasized that most of the accepted recommendations had been implemented satisfactorily. 14. With regard to recommendations on women’s rights, the Government had intensified capacity-building actions for the prevention and management of gender-based violence, adopted the national strategy against such forms of violence and implemented a programme to combat various forms of violence against women. 15. The respect of freedom of expression had been manifested through, inter alia, better freedom of the press, the establishment of the National Communication Council and the organization of training for journalists on the respect of professional norms and ethics. It highlighted that the status of journalists or human right defenders was not tantamount to exemption from being prosecuted for common law crimes. 16. Regarding the relations related to education, the delegation mentioned, among others, the opening of eight universities, the teaching of national languages and cultures and the boosting of the teaching of human rights in schools. 17. Concerning the fight against corruption, the delegation stated that Cameroon had stepped up its efforts through, inter alia, the development of the National Strategy against 1 4 A/HRC/11/21, para. 76. GE.13-15472