A/HRC/8/35 Page 6 21. Senegal noted that Gabon has unreservedly ratified most human rights instruments and is seemingly ready to continue on this path by becoming party to the optional protocols to core conventions it has already ratified. Senegal added that in requesting the support of the international community, Gabon has indicated its intention to strengthen cooperation with human rights mechanisms, and asked whether Gabon is envisaging ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW). 22. Germany, referring to the recommendations of the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to review its legislation regarding discriminatory practices against women, asked Gabon about legislative measures that are being taken to put an end to polygamy. Germany also expressed concern about the arrest and detention of journalists in Gabon, as reported by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. In this regard, it enquired about measures taken to guarantee the right of freedom of opinion and expression. Germany recommended accelerating the progress of legal reforms to eliminate discriminatory provisions, especially from the civil and criminal codes; and to increase efforts to amend legislation regarding gender equality, in accordance with Gabon’s international obligations, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 23. Congo asked how Gabon undertook the census of the Pygmy population given that this is a highly mobile population. It also enquired about the type of pressure put by traffickers on the national authorities. Finally, Congo requested information on the legislation regarding adoption. 24. Latvia hoped that Gabon will receive the visit of the Special Rapporteur on education. It also invited Gabon to consider extending a standing invitation to all special procedures. 25. Mexico recommended that Gabon consider harmonizing its civil and criminal codes with international human rights norms, particularly regarding marriage, family relations, patrimony and succession. It further recommended that the criminalization of child trafficking be brought in line with international standards, and recommended the legal prohibition of the worst forms of corporal punishment of children in all places. Mexico also called on Gabon to ratify the ICRMW. 26. The Czech Republic welcomed Gabon’s signature of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) and recommended its ratification in the near future. Regarding gender equality, the Czech Republic asked which measures have been adopted in response to the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to eliminate discriminatory provisions pertaining marriage and family relations and to the right of ownership, in particular if any changes have been made in the Civil Code on the provision that the husband is the head of the family and determines the place of residence of the family. Moreover, the Czech Republic asked Gabon on the measures aimed at eliminating the practice of forced and early marriage. In this regard, it recommended that Gabon adopt as a matter of priority legislative and other measures to guarantee gender equality and strengthen efforts to eradicate customs and traditions that discriminate women. It also recommended that Gabon submit regular reports to the treaty bodies, in particular to the Committee against Torture, the Committee on the Rights of the Child , the Human Rights Committee, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and that it issue a standing invitation to special procedures mandate holders. 27. Hungary recommended to Gabon to prepare, through its National Committee for the Drafting of Human Rights Reports, the outstanding initial and subsequent periodic reports to the