A/HRC/8/35 Page 5 14. Algeria highlighted that in 2000 the Human Rights Committee expressed satisfaction that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is directly applicable in Gabon, and about the creation of a ministry for human rights. Algeria recommended that the international community provide technical and financial assistance (a) in particular regarding health and the strengthening of institutional capacities, especially for the forest people, (b) to strengthen the capacities of social services, particularly for child health, combating HIV and improving hygiene; and (c), with an additional effort from the Gabonese authorities, to raise school attendance rate and develop facilities at the various levels of education, while favouring gender equality in the access to education. 15. While the programme to combat HIV/AIDS seems very ambitious, the Democratic Republic of the Congo indicated that the national report does not provide information on the number of persons affected by this pandemic or undergoing retroviral treatment. Noting Gabon’s good policy on protecting minorities, particularly the Pygmy population, it requested more information about their social integration and involvement in political life. It also wanted to know whether trafficking and exploitation of children was limited to within the country or if children were trafficked abroad, and in that case, which were the main countries of destination. 16. The Philippines commended Gabon for its efforts to strengthen national measures to protect the rights of women and children, in particular with regard to health standards, combating the spread of HIV/AIDS and fighting human trafficking. On these issues, the Philippines asked about the existence of specific plans aimed at reintegrating people living with HIV/AIDS into society. 17. Tunisia noted with interest efforts made to promote children’s rights in the area of health, through the proliferation of health services institutions, such as the national technical commission responsible for providing vaccinations in all areas of the country. Tunisia also welcomed measures related to the right to education, such as the free and obligatory schooling until the age of 16, and Gabon’s commitment to curbing child trafficking. 18. China welcomed the adoption of a series of laws to protect the right to health, rights of the child and right to education and to prevent trafficking of human beings, as well as the establishment of a ministry for human rights. China recognized that Gabon, as a developing country, faces serious challenges for the protection of human rights, in particular economic and social underdevelopment. China asked the Government of Gabon about the difficulties and challenges met in the implementation of the national plan to fight HIV/AIDS. 19. Finland recommended that Gabon take urgent measures to transform the decision to abolish death penalty into law as soon as possible, and consider acceding to the Second Optional Protocol to ICCPR, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. Finland also asked how decision-makers are going to act to end the atrocity of ritual killings, which still occur in Gabon, and pre-eminently before elections. 20. France requested Gabon to provide more information on the issue of the discrimination of indigenous peoples – Pygmies - and on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, considering that Gabon voted in favour of its adoption in the General Assembly. France also asked about the Government’s intention to sign the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and recommended to Gabon to sign and ratify this important instrument at the earliest possible date.