A/HRC/10/80 page 8 and the detention of minors with adults, in deplorable conditions. It enquired about the measures taken to ensure humane treatment of minors under arrest and about plans for establishing a juvenile justice system. Germany noted the persisting inequality between men and women, particularly in rural areas, widespread polygamy and cases of forced and early marriage of women and girls. It requested further information on measures to address these phenomena and to raise awareness of women’s rights, promote gender equality and prevent domestic violence against women and children. 41. While commending the fact that torture is prohibited, Denmark was concerned that torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment persist in detention centres and prisons. It noted the prohibition of violent conduct by prison and detention officers, and requested further information on the plans to end such conditions. It asked when the Government intends to establish an effective national preventive mechanism. Denmark recommended that Burkina Faso take all steps to improve prisoners’ condition and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture in the near future and establish a national preventive mechanism. 42. The Netherlands noted the challenges in access to justice and the measures to reform the justice system, and recommended that Burkina Faso further strengthen measures to improve public access to the justice system and its independence by, inter alia, providing sufficient means, and that Burkina Faso report on the results of these measures in the next review report. It recommended that Burkina Faso consider the structure and function of the national human rights commission in accordance with the Paris Principles. It commended Burkina Faso for reducing female genital mutilation significantly and recommended that it share best practices with other countries and continue to take measures to fully eradicate female genital mutilation. It recommended that Burkina Faso consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. 43. Viet Nam noted the progress made in the area of economic and social rights, the elaboration of a legal and judicial system and, as an example of good practice, the establishment of the Ministry for the Promotion of Human Rights. It recommended that Burkina Faso increase its efforts to see through its commitments set out in the national report, especially with regard to campaigning against poverty and ignorance and reinforcing the legitimate rights of specific social groups in the country. 44. Mexico welcomed the creation of national institutions for the promotion and defence of human rights, particularly for the most vulnerable: women, children and the elderly. It invited Burkina Faso to continue it efforts in awareness-raising and information, particularly given the high rates of illiteracy still in the country. Mexico recommended that Burkina Faso (a) continue with its efforts by ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, and (b) extend an open and standing invitation to all special procedures of the Council. Mexico emphasized that Burkina Faso should pay greater attention to trafficking in and exploitation and abuse of minors, which have reached alarming levels, and to the situation of women. It noted the legal and institutional framework to promote women but also the obstacles to the full implementation of laws. Noting that older women require greater protection from the State, it recommended (c) that efforts be redoubled to eliminate discrimination against women and that the Government apply the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women fully. Mexico highlighted the challenge of improving the penitentiary system,