A/HRC/10/69 Page 6 efforts made to eliminate discrimination against women, empower women and ensure gender equality were also praised. In this regard, particular mention was made of the establishment of the Department for Women’s Affairs, the improvement of several legal instruments to safeguard women’s rights, including the abolition of the Marital Power Act and the Domestic Violence Bill, the translation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women into Setswana and the efforts made in gender mainstreaming. Botswana’s efforts to promote children’s rights, particularly through the adoption of the National Action Plan for Children 2006-2016, were welcomed. Mention was made of the efforts to address the special needs of children with disabilities and of the exemption of school fees for households in need of assistance. A number of delegations also praised the democratic culture of Botswana backed up by a strong multiparty democracy, the enshrinement of equal rights and fundamental freedoms in the Constitution, the rule of law and good governance. Some delegations referred to the establishment of the office of the Ombudsman as a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to human rights. The establishment of an investigative commission to examine discriminatory provisions in the Constitution was also welcomed. Some delegations praised the efforts made to end discrimination against minority groups. Delegations noted that Botswana is party to most of the regional human rights treaties and mechanisms. Further, the role of Botswana as a regional mediator for peace and conflict resolution was commended. 29. Algeria recommended continuing their efforts, particularly in favour of women in rural areas. It also recommended adhering to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as Botswana applies on the ground the provisions of the Covenant. Algeria congratulated Botswana on its pilot project to fight HIV/AIDS and recommended that Botswana enable migrants and refugees to benefit from it. 30. Morocco requested further information on the participation of women in public life and the nature of the difficulties faced in the implementation of the national policy on women. Morocco also asked what specialized United Nations agencies could do to assist the Government to protect children. 31. Cuba recommended continuing to incorporate the provisions in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child into national legislation. It commended the 2003 national poverty reduction strategy, and encouraged the Government to continue the efforts made to achieve the goal of Vision 2016. It recommended that the implementation of the National Action Plan for Children 2006-2016, to overcome the difficulties identified by the Government in its national report, be continued. 32. Spain requested information on the draft legislation for the protection of children and on recent measures taken to deal with the increasing number of HIV/AIDS orphans. It also asked about the policy regarding illegal immigrants, particularly from Zimbabwe. Spain asked for information on recent measures to promote gender equality. It recommended that Botswana explore the possibility of a moratorium on the death penalty or its definitive abolition. It said it looked forward to a resolution of the dispute between the San of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve with the Government. It recommended the decriminalization of homosexual relationships and practices. 33. Belgium noted that HIV/AIDS prevalence is still high and asked what approaches Botswana would take to prevent the transmission of the HIV from mother to child and to tackle related challenges. Belgium recommended a medical follow-up for HIV-positive mothers and children who have received the virus from the mother. It noted the high HIV/AIDS prevalence