A/HRC/25/8 freedoms of expression, assembly, association as well as of the Internet, and to continue with the protection of children’s rights and the elimination of domestic violence. It made recommendations. 115. Ethiopia commended the adoption and implementation of legislation transposing the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children into domestic legislation. It highlighted the efforts to change negative attitudes towards disability. It made a recommendation. 116. France welcomed Mauritius’ commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, as reflected through the ratification of CRPD and the Optional Protocols to CRC. It welcomed the legal achievements, particularly the 2012 law restructuring the National Human Rights Commission, and the women-oriented policy. It further welcomed the submission of the mid-term progress report. France made recommendations. 117. Gabon noted the “Mauritius Sustainable Island” project, which has been implemented in a holistic and democratic manner. It noted the efforts to eliminate racial discrimination and highlighted the measures adopted in favour of the Chagossians. It invited the international community and OHCHR to support the efforts to establish sustainable respect for human rights. It made recommendations. 118. Germany requested information on measures taken to implement human rights for children with disabilities, including effective monitoring of and protection from abuse and their inclusiveness in society. It asked how Mauritius planned to strengthen implementation mechanisms for strategies relating to several human rights issues. It made a recommendation. 119. Mauritius responded to additional questions. 120. With regard to recommendations to review section 16 of its Constitution, Mauritius explained that section 16 prohibits discrimination, but provides an exception for personal laws. This measure has historical origins, whereby, prior to independence, the Muslim community had requested the inclusion of such provisions. A consensus has not yet been reached among the different schools of thought in the Muslim community in the country with regard to Muslim Personal Law. Mauritius stressed the need to be culturally sensitive. 121. On the issue of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and specifically the decriminalization of the offence of sodomy, Mauritius stated that the Government had introduced the Sexual Offences Bill, but following the dissolution of Parliament in 2010, consideration of the Bill was deferred. After consultations, it was decided in 2013 not to proceed with the Sexual Offences Bill as further consultations were needed on the matter. The Government decided to introduce a Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill to provide, inter alia, for marital rape. 122. Regarding action to promote access to quality education and ensuring that children whose first language is different from the language of instruction are not disadvantaged, Mauritius clarified that Creole is a language of instruction in some primary schools and is also taught as a subject. 123. On the issue of trafficking in persons, Mauritius recalled the measures taken, including the setting up of a committee under the Office of the Prime Minister to address this issue. 124. On the issue of the death penalty, Mauritius stated that although the death penalty has been abolished by ordinary law, the Constitution has not yet been accordingly amended, which is the reason why the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights has not yet been ratified by Mauritius. 14