A/HRC/32/16 48. Albania commended the adoption of the “Agenda for Prosperity” and congratulated Sierra Leone on taking affirmative action to improve women’s participation in public life through the appointment of women in key leadership positions in the country. 49. Algeria congratulated Sierra Leone on strengthening its democratic institutions through the review of the constitution. It appreciated the cooperation of Sierra Leone with treaty bodies. It was also pleased with the improvement of economic, social and cultural rights through the adoption of plans and programmes. 50. Angola welcomed the review of the 1991 constitution and the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It encouraged Sierra Leone to eliminate discriminatory provisions regarding the transmission of nationality. 51. Argentina highlighted progress to eliminate poverty through its prosperity programme. It was particularly interested in the strategies on the rights of women and children, which included the fight against traditional harmful practices. 52. Armenia, while appreciating efforts to combat Ebola, noted the persistent challenges regarding the right to health, particularly for women in rural areas, the low school enrolment rate for girls and sexual abuses. Armenia appreciated that child labour concerns had been mainstreamed into national policies. 53. Australia congratulated Sierra Leone on achieving stable governance and sustained peace. While welcoming steps towards abolishing the death penalty, Australia was concerned that it was still in the law. Australia welcomed ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol). 54. Azerbaijan acknowledged the efforts made to develop a normative and institutional human rights framework. It noted with appreciation the adoption in 2012 of the Agenda for Prosperity and commended Sierra Leone on measures taken regarding gender issues and gender-based violence. 55. The delegation of Sierra Leone replied to a number of issues mentioned in the first part of the dialogue. Regarding of length of trials, the Government was enacting the Criminal Procedure Act of 2015 and was recruiting more judges and magistrates. On the overcrowding of prisons, the court committees were considering alternative sentencing. The Government had been able to establish a legal aid board that had been able to address over half a million cases. There was a heightened commitment by the Government to increase budgetary allocation in the health sector. The Government had enacted the Sexual Offences Act and the Gender Act, with a subsequent increase in the number of prosecutions of those found guilty of offences relating to gender-based violence. Its policy on educating the girl child had led to an increase of more than 300 per cent in the past five years in the number of girls attending school. The Constitutional Review Committee would submit its reports to the Office of the Attorney-General Minister of Justice in the near future. 56. Bangladesh acknowledged the success in combating the Ebola virus disease and noted the progress made regarding international human rights obligations. It acknowledged the cooperation of Sierra Leone with treaty bodies and encouraged the international community to continue supporting Sierra Leone. 57. Belgium welcomed ratification of the International Labour Organization Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) and Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182). It was concerned, however, at violations of freedom of expression regarding journalists and human rights defenders. It noted that protection of the rights of women and children should be strengthened. 9