A/HRC/10/80 page 13 70. While noting the role played by the Constitutional Council and the independent national electoral commission in referendums and elections, Zambia expressed the hope for clear terms of reference of these bodies to avoid conflicts of interest. Zambia welcomed the introduction of human rights and civic education in schools. It appreciated the 2006-2015 strategic policy on children’s rights, but requested further information on the activities of the children’s parliament. Zambia noted the establishment of the Ministry for the Advancement of Women and that obstacles to the implementation of the relevant laws and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women persist. It called on the Government to ensure that all obstacles in this regard are addressed, including the issue of witchcraft. It also called upon the international community and OHCHR to provide Burkina Faso with technical assistance to allow it to meet its reporting obligations to treaty bodies. 71. Nigeria noted the creation of the Ministry for the Promotion of Human Rights and the establishment of human rights committees in the national Parliament. It also noted the progress made in the fight against female genital mutilation and the continuing efforts in education and public awareness of human rights, citing the significant progress made in the primary education of the girl-child. Nigeria called on the Council and the international community to provide urgently technical and financial assistance to Burkina Faso to support its efforts and for the eventual implementation of the recommendations from the review process. 72. Brazil congratulated Burkina Faso for its support to regional human rights initiatives, like the African Peer Review Mechanism. It welcomed efforts aiming at establishing a national legal framework for human rights, especially the creation of the Ministry for the Promotion of Human Rights, the Ministry for the Advancement of Women and the national human rights commission. Brazil enquired about the State’s intentions to address customary practices that discriminate against women. Brazil recommended that Burkina Faso (a) consider fostering national strategies to combat child labour and to promote decent work, and (b) consider the extension of a standing invitation to the special procedures of the Council. Brazil recommended (c) the abolishment of the death penalty in accordance with General Assembly resolution 62/149, and that Burkina Faso (d) continue efforts towards the full elimination of female genital mutilation. 73. The Republic of Korea noted the efforts of Burkina Faso to adopt domestic legislation reflecting international standards, in particular the Constitution, which guarantees fundamental human rights. It commended the establishment of the national human rights commission, the Ombudsman of Burkina Faso and the Commission on Information Technology and Freedoms. However, it noted the concerns raised by international human rights bodies about the effectiveness of such legislation and institutions. It requested information on the measures taken to coordinate the work of those institutions. While welcoming the national measures prohibiting female genital mutilation, it shared the concerns of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Committee on the Rights of the Child at the widespread practice of forced and early marriage within the country. 74. Slovenia noted that cases such as the death of journalist Norbert Zongo indicated a lack of freedom of expression in Burkina Faso. Slovenia expressed concern about excessive use of force against civilians, criminal suspects and detainees by security forces, which resulted in deaths and injuries. It was also concerned that some members of the security forces committed serious human rights violations and that execution-type actions have reportedly taken place. Slovenia

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