A/HRC/14/13 23. State and non-State actors will focus on the establishment of a road map for the formulation of a national policy against all discriminatory traditional practices. 24. In the area of health, significant results have been achieved with regard to infant mortality reduction and the use of contraception. On the other hand, the struggle against maternal mortality requires additional effort. 25. With regard to combating disease, the AH1N1 epidemic is under control, while the national HIV/AIDS rate is below 1 per cent. In terms of improving access to health care, free medical assistance is now provided to economically disadvantaged individuals. 26. With respect to its intention to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, the Government intends to undertake the ratification process after Parliament has been seated. The bloody repression carried out by the Presidential Guard on 7 February 2009, which caused the deaths of more than 20 persons, has been investigated by the National Mixed Investigating Committee. That investigation has led to the incrimination of people allegedly involved in the killings and it is scheduled to be concluded by the first quarter of 2010. 27. All parliamentarians, journalists, lawyers and other political personalities subject to criminal proceedings because of offences committed against common law have had access to defence rights. 28. With respect to allegations concerning the arbitrary detention and arrest of journalists, three journalists were arrested on the basis of penal accusations relating to offences of common law, attempts to carry out a plot and incitement to revolt. 29. With regard to prison conditions, the following measures have been undertaken: • The establishment of infirmaries covering every penal facility; • The quantitative and qualitative improvement of food supplies; • The rehabilitation and refurbishment of penal facility infrastructure; • The revitalization of agricultural production to provide better food supplies to prisons; • The transfer of detainees to less-crowded prisons; • The implementation of the release-on-parole procedure to reduce prison overcrowding. 30. The delegation clarified that the Direction for the Promotion of Integrity is involved in the fight against corruption in order to guarantee equal treatment for all citizens before the law and the State. The Communication Direction seeks to raise awareness among the population about ways and means of gaining access to justice in cases involving human rights violations. The Direction of the Oversight Jurisdiction Functions ensures the holding of periodic inspections in order to detect all irregularities, including human rights violations, which are to be reported to the relevant authorities. The Direction of Human Rights and International Relations ensures the implementation of projects in partnership with UNDP, UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and OHCHR. 31. Concerning gender equality, the delegation wished to submit the following: • Assistance measures have been set forth in order to assist victims of violence, in collaboration with national and international non-governmental organizations; • Awareness-raising films have been shown on television, including on private channels; 6