A/HRC/4/5 page 18 68. Early in 2006 the Government commenced a programme to provide free health care for expectant mothers and children under 5 years of age. The programme, though underfunded, has been well received and would benefit from receiving greater support from the international community. 69. The independent expert was informed that the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) has been prepared in collaboration with the donor community. A conference involving the donor community and the Government of Burundi is scheduled for 15 and 16 March 2007 to discuss the PRSP and should, hopefully, lead to an agreement on funding for the programmes and projects contained therein. The independent expert can only regret that the document ignores the question of runaway population growth in Burundi, which threatens not only to wipe out any gains the programme may yield, but also to create serious social problems. 70. Concerns were raised regarding the ever-deepening poverty amid a general tendency toward corruption and embezzlement, with scandals sometimes implicating high-ranking officials within the Government and the ruling party. Frequent strikes and growing discontent of civil servants are often motivated by widespread poverty. Besides, the number of unemployed keeps increasing. F. Promotion and protection of human rights 71. Human rights monitors of United Nations institutions and bodies together with non-governmental partners conducted numerous human rights awareness-raising and capacity-building activities countrywide, catering to a cross-section of the society, including both civilians and government officials. 72. Human rights officers of BINUB also supported the Ministry responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights through the provision of training and capacity-building for members of its staff. 73. The Ministry of Justice and Integrated Human Rights Office conducted a “validation” workshop on the draft revised penal code. Revisions were submitted for consultation and comment to legislators, members of the legal profession and the civil society. The revised Penal Code was then approved by the Cabinet and will be sent for adoption to the Parliament shortly. Major changes to the Code, aimed at bringing it in line with international standards, include the abolition of the death penalty, the inclusion of international crimes and the improvement of the protection of women and children. Most controversial were the abolition of the death penalty and the legal definition of rape, which will be taken up by Parliament. The new Code is expected to be adopted by Parliament and promulgated by the President during 2007. 74. BINUB, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender, organized a seminar on “the different types of human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law and how they can be addressed”. Many recommendations were made by participants, including the creation of a school for military personnel and the integration of human rights in the school curricula. Participants also underlined the importance of ensuring separation of powers and the independence of the judicial system.