A/HRC/13/16 30. Latvia made a recommendation regarding a standing invitation to all special procedures. 31. Slovenia welcomed the measures taken to ensure the well-being of children. It asked whether Equatorial Guinea envisaged introducing legislation to prohibit corporal punishment of children in all settings, including the home. Slovenia made recommendations. 32. Argentina noted the commitment expressed by Equatorial Guinea in its national report to continue the process of improving human rights in cooperation with the international community. Argentina made recommendations. 33. Sweden welcomed cooperation with two special procedures. It referred to the systematic use of torture by the police and of evidence obtained under torture as a basis for conviction. A number of human rights mechanisms recommended putting an end to the culture of impunity for perpetrators of torture. It expressed concern over freedom of opinion and expression, lack of monitoring of elections and access to services, such as education and healthcare. 34. Azerbaijan noted that in 2006, 76.6 per cent of the population lived in conditions of poverty with high unemployment rate in rural areas. Azerbaijan welcomed the Special Protective Action Plan for persons with disabilities and made recommendations. 35. China appreciated efforts made by Equatorial Guinea in recent years aimed at alleviating poverty and improving living standards. It noted the progress made in areas such as education, housing, infrastructure and public health. China requested more information on the concrete measures taken and the results achieved within its poverty reduction policies. It also inquired about the measures being taken to improve the low enrolment rates for primary education. 36. Cameroon noted with interest the measures taken to address issues such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, leprosy and education. It encouraged Equatorial Guinea to intensify measures to promote and protect the full range of economic, social and cultural rights and to improve conditions of detention and the administration of justice. With regard to combating trafficking, Cameroon requested information on Equatorial Guinea’s cooperation with the countries of origin of trafficked children. 37. India welcomed the initiative of addressing acute economic disparity by investing oil revenues in poverty alleviation programmes and the judicial reform, particularly the 2009 Judiciary Act that provides a clear structure for the judiciary, the Fees Act which is instrumental in drastically reducing judicial fees for the lodging of application and the setting up of courts in all districts. India further asked about how the judiciary intended to reconcile customary law as applied in traditional courts with codified law. India noted the efforts to implement the Strategic Emergency and Multi-sectoral Plan against HIV/AIDS. India also noted Government efforts to promote gender equality through various initiatives, including Promotion of self-employment for rural women project. 38. Burkina Faso welcomed Equatorial Guinea’s efforts to guarantee the effective enjoyment of the social and economic rights if its people. In the area of health, it noted that Equatorial Guinea has established a programme to eradicate malaria within five years and that the results appear satisfactory. It indicated that it was necessary for this programme to be continued and intensified in order to reduce the mortality rate due to malaria. Burkina Faso welcomed efforts to overcome obstacles to the education of girls. Burkina Faso made a recommendation. 7

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