A/HRC/22/13 torture, prison overcrowding, gender inequality and discrimination against women, the high maternal and infant mortality rate and the low level of social protection. Belarus made recommendations. 64. Benin appreciated the progress made by Zambia since its first report in 2008, referring to the Technical Committee to draft the new Constitution and the adoption of a policy to combat corruption. It called on the Zambian authorities to step up action in relation to promoting and protecting human rights in the country. It made recommendations. 65. With regard to issues relating to LGBT persons, the delegation stated that the Constitution-making process would give the people the opportunity to determine whether specific rights for LGBT persons should be enshrined in the Constitution. The Government was determined not to prescribe to the Zambian people those rights that the Constitution should contain, but to let them make such a determination. 66. On the issue of marital rape, the Government was not aware that a problem persisted in this regard. In any event, the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act provided comprehensive provisions that criminalized all forms of violence against women. Issues of marital rape will rank within the definition of gender-based violence prescribed in the Act. 67. The delegation stated that the Public Order Act was in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution. The Act has justifiable restrictions which were permitted under article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and have been affirmed in the Zambian courts. There were cases pending before the courts following admitted instances of possible excessive use of discretion by the police. The courts were more than capable of resolving these matters and the Government did not prescribe as to how they ought to be resolved. 68. Botswana commended progress made by Zambia in legislating on gender violence and human trafficking. It noted progress in health, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It noted however that the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights highlighted challenges regarding child registration. It asked Zambia if any steps were being taken to address this problem. It made a recommendation. 69. Brazil highlighted the improvements made by Zambia in the freedom of the press and its commitment to enhancing its people’s quality of life. It appreciated implementation of programmes aimed at youth and women in the education, health, agriculture and housing sectors. It welcomed the Government’s passing of the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act. It made recommendations. 70. Burkina Faso noted with satisfaction progress made by Zambia in the fight against human trafficking. It encouraged Zambia to pursue the fight against gender violence, guaranteeing the rights of disabled persons and of children. It mentioned that Zambia was not yet a party to a number of international human rights instruments. It made a recommendation. 71. Burundi noted the Zambian Parliament’s adoption of the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act and national directives on care for victims of gender violence. It noted the Government’s adoption of the Education Act ensuring free basic education for all and improvements in prison conditions through release measures and new infrastructure. 72. Canada asked Zambia to provide information on progress to date in addressing discriminatory practices emanating from customary laws, in follow-up to the commitment made by Zambia in 2008 to take measures to improve the situation of widows and girls, including through protection of their right to inheritance and prevention of early marriages. Canada welcomed the steps taken by Zambia to develop new legislation on freedom of the press and access to information. It made recommendations. 10