A/HRC/32/16 security countrywide. It encouraged Sierra Leone to continue these efforts, while noting persisting constraints in the Ebola virus disease recovery period. 37. Spain commended Sierra Leone for the major steps in terms of human rights, including the Sexual Offences Act, 2012, and Legal Assistance Act, 2012, and the important role played by Sierra Lone as a member of the Human Rights Council for the period 2011-2013. 38. Swaziland was encouraged by progress in addressing most of the recommendations, including the amendment of the Constitution Act No. 6, and by the advancement of gender equality and the signature/ratification of most of the United Nations human rights treaties, as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 39. Switzerland commended the efforts to abolish the death penalty. It was concerned about the prevalence of female genital mutilation and the widespread use of extended period of remands. 40. Tunisia noted the work of the Constitutional Review Committee and the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It commended the adoption of the National Referral Protocol on Gender-based Violence and the National Plan of Action on Gender-based Violence. 41. Uganda noted the campaign to educate on and raise awareness of HIV/AIDS among the population. It also welcomed the launch of the “Agenda for Prosperity” programme with the aim of building a middle-income country by 2031. 42. Ukraine recognized that the recommendation it had made in the first cycle, namely, to improve reporting to treaty bodies, had been implemented to the extent possible. It expressed hope that the resumed work of the Constitutional Review Committee would result in a prompt revision of the constitution. 43. The United Kingdom encouraged Sierra Leone to complete the constitutional review process by the agreed deadline. It welcomed a draft national strategy on countering the practice of female genital mutilation and encouraged Sierra Leone to implement it. 44. The United States of America commended increased protection for migrant labourers and the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints Board. It was concerned about restriction of freedom of expression, lack of resources to combat trafficking in persons, prolonged pretrial detention and poor prison conditions. 45. Uruguay was pleased with the efforts made concerning maternal mortality, family planning and teenage pregnancies and requested more information in that regard. It welcomed the ratification of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (the Palermo Protocol), and of the International Labour Organization Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) and Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182). 46. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela highlighted the adoption of the National Gender Strategic Plan, the strengthening of the education system, the gradual increase in the budget assigned to the Education Sector Plan and the Poverty Reduction Strategy of 2012. 47. Zambia noted that the incorporation into domestic legislation of international law still seemed a challenge. It was also concerned about female genital mutilation and asked what measures Sierra Leone was taking to prohibit the practice. 8

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