A/HRC/10/71 page 5 code and other private bills with a view to eliminating discrimination would also make it possible to combat human rights violations effectively. The recently adopted code of ethics of the National Intelligence Service, training in human rights and international humanitarian law for the police, army and prosecutors, and institutional support for the justice sector, would all contribute to increasing respect for human rights. 15. Six major challenges should be noted: (a) the decline of values relating to the culture of peace, tolerance and respect for others, and respect for human rights in general, because of the long conflict; (b) State officials’ lack of technological awareness and resources; (c) the possession of weapons by the general population for self-defence; (d) extreme poverty; (e) the scarcity of land, which was a deep-rooted cause of violence; and (f) gaps in domestic legislation with regard to human rights. 16. To confront those challenges, Burundi needed huge amounts of resources. In that regard, the representative of Burundi thanked all its partners for their support and reiterated the call to countries that were in a position to do so to show solidarity towards Burundi. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 17. During the interactive dialogue, statements were made by 41 delegations. A number of delegations thanked the Government for the comprehensive national report, which openly addresses the challenges faced by the country. Burundi’s continuous efforts and commitments to improving its human rights situation, despite numerous challenges, including the difficult situation resulting from the civil war, poverty and political turmoil since independence, were also praised. The ratification of a number of human rights treaties was noted as was the inclusion in the Constitution of the rights proclaimed therein. Delegations further welcomed Burundi’s new draft criminal code, which abolishes the death penalty and criminalizes torture, rape and sexual violence, as well as the establishment of the Ministry for National Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender. 18. Algeria appreciated that Burundi is working for peace and national reconciliation. It noted the establishment of the Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights and the Prevention of Genocide and the ratification of certain human rights instruments. Algeria welcomed efforts to promote education through free elementary schooling, as well as free maternal care and health care for children under 5. Algeria recommended that both the Government and armed groups that are signatories to the ceasefire agreement of 7 September 2006 continue efforts to implement it. Algeria called upon the international community to increase support to Burundi’s judicial system and its fight against poverty. 19. Australia welcomed the progress in the establishment of an independent national commission on human rights, and recommended that it conform to the Paris Principles. Noting that the Committee against Torture and the independent expert on the human rights situation in Burundi have expressed concern about the widespread use of torture, Australia enquired about progress made in the revision of the criminal code to prohibit the practice of torture. It enquired on the veracity of disturbing reports of criminal sanctions against homosexuality in proposed criminal code revisions and, if true, how such provisions were consistent with Burundi’s commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in the light of relevant conclusions by the Human Rights Committee.