A/HRC/18/10 40. The Netherlands commended impressive legal developments, while noting that the basic rights of vulnerable groups remained threatened, especially those of women and children, prisoners, human rights defenders and journalists. Their right to freely express and organise themselves had reportedly been violated without the intervention of the authorities. It took note of the National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS. It thanked Sierra Leone for supporting the statement on ending human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, while referring to reports that LGBT people did not benefit from the protection afforded by article 27 of the Constitution which prohibited discrimination. It made recommendations. 41. The delegation indicated that although the Follow-up Committee to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee had yet to be constituted, the Government intended to do so, in due course. Recommendations of the TRC were, nevertheless, being implemented. For example, the National Commission for Social Action was implementing the reparations programme. Despite a background of severe economic constraints and unfulfilled assurances from development partners, Sierra Leone continued to implement the Commission’s recommendations. 42. Ratification of international treaties was at the top of the Government’s agenda. An agency had been set up within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist in this task and the delegation asked that partners consider giving assistance to strengthen its capacity. 43. Reconciliation was a national endeavour and paramount to Sierra Leone. On the fifiteth anniversary of the country’s independence, the President promised to hold a national conference in the second quarter of 2011 at which issues would be openly discussed. 44. The Government had supported the National Human Rights Commission since its establishment, including through the payment of salaries and had allocated a building to the Commission. The delegation requested that interested countries consider the possibility of augmenting the Government’s efforts. 45. On the question of corruption, the Government has established an autonomous AntiCorruption Commission. Though its work, three Government ministers were prosecuted, and the Head of the National Revenue authority and other Government agencies were brought before the courts. The Anti-Corruption Commission had the full support of the Government as it recognized that corruption was also a violation of human rights. 46. Free health-care service was introduced in 2010 and continued, despite severe constraints, such as the “brain drain” of doctors and other trained health personnel. The Government was considering ways to address this situation and in the next few weeks is planning to set up a second teaching hospital with a view to increasing the number of trained medical personnel. 47. Child labour was being addressed. Priority had been given over the last six years to enhancing the formal education of girls. By way of affirmative action, certain incentives had been provided to the family and the child, including through the Government’s SABABU education project. The entire education sector had also been the subject of a review, recommendations of which were being currently being considered by the Government. 48. Mexico recognized Sierra Leone’s efforts to create and promote a human rights culture and to investigate and punish the human rights violations committed. Mexico noted the TRC and its Reparation Programme which provided financial support and labour training to the war victims Mexico asked for Sierra Leone’s views on ensuring continuity of the reparation programme through international cooperation and capacity building. Mexico took note of Sierra Leone’s presidency of an Economic Community of West African States 8