A/HRC/11/L.10 page 124 promote freedom of association and expression, the decriminalization of press offences and the coexistence and dialogue between religions. It indicated that recent initiatives to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, the reworking of academic programmes to include education in human rights and on the fight against HIV/AIDS all showed that Senegal was taking action in human rights. 506. Action internationale pour la paix et le développement dans la région des grands lacs noted that Senegal had accepted many recommendations, including those relating to the human rights of migrants, arbitrary detention, trafficking (especially in women and children), the situation of human rights defenders, the independence of judges and the abrogation of article 80 of the penal code. It also pointed out that Senegal had been very responsible in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, namely through the improvement of the school attendance rate in primary education, the national programme for the youngest, universal access to health services for the entire population and the plan for the elderly ensuring access to certain medications free of charge. 507. Espace Afrique International stressed Senegal’s outstanding efforts in the education of girls. It noted that Senegal invested 40 per cent of its annual budget in education and this allowed the participation of citizens in all development activities. It noted the innovative and promising programmes in terms of good education accessible to all, especially to the most vulnerable. It further noted the establishment of many primary and secondary institutions and that higher education was improved, with many regional centres linked to world centres of excellence, which allowed for remote learning. It indicated that télémédecine allowed Senegal to combat maternal and infant mortality. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 508. Senegal thanked the delegations for their observations and recalled that Senegal had met with members of civil society before coming to the plenary session. 509. Senegal recalled its commitments to fight impunity and that it was the first country to ratify the International Criminal Court statutes. The financial arrangements were being processed in order to complete the budget and to begin the trial of the former President of Chad, Hissène Habré.

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