A/HRC/22/5 had a legal framework and action plans to cover all universally recognized fundamental rights. In order to promote and protect human rights, in 2012 Gabon had established the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Relations with Constitutional Institutions. The National Human Rights Commission, which had been operational since 2011, had a monitoring, educational and proactive role in relation to the public authorities and citizens. Its independence was recognized and its operating procedures had gradually been improved. 8. The delegation emphasized that the national report concentrated on the recommendations made by 22 States in 2008. Progress had been noted in the areas described below. 9. Five United Nations international legal instruments had been signed, ratified and/or implemented, as indicated in chapter II of the report. 10. Gabon was committed to putting the five recommendations on equality and nondiscrimination into effect by amending legislation and adopting new laws. With the introduction of International Widows Day, celebrated annually on 23 June, the Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Foundation had raised the profile of Gabon. 11. With regard to the recommendation regarding the right to education, Gabon had continued its efforts to raise the school attendance rate. 12. With regard to the three recommendations on the rights of the child, Gabon was committed to the exercise of those rights. In 2010, it had adopted a law establishing legal regulations for the protection of minors. In addition, a bill outlawing sexual assault was currently before Parliament. 13. Gabon was concerned about conditions of detention, particularly prison overcrowding, and had decided to build new prisons in the provinces. The law establishing legal regulations for the protection of minors provided for the establishment of independent judicial bodies and the adoption of protective measures to promote the rehabilitation and social reintegration of minors. Pursuant to the Code of Criminal Procedure adopted in 2010, the National Committee on Education and Vocational Training in Prisons had been established. 14. Gabon had received four recommendations on freedom of the press, highlighting the problem of censorship. The Constitution guaranteed that right and the Government was committed to the continued freedom and pluralism of the media. The Government had also set up the National Fund for the Development of the Press and Audiovisual Media, and all press organizations received State financial support annually. 15. With regard to the two recommendations on the rights of minorities, the Constitution denounced all forms of discrimination, including those based on race and ethnic origin. Gabon had ratified several instruments on the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples and made no distinction between the Bantu and the Pygmies in its public policies. While the situation of the Pygmies in Gabon could be further improved, it was not appalling. Pygmies enjoyed the same rights as the Bantu in Gabon. 16. With regard to the three recommendations on its reports to treaty bodies, Gabon had established the National Committee for the Drafting of Human Rights Reports. Since 2010, four national reports had been forwarded to United Nations Headquarters in Geneva. 17. The delegation noted that the efforts of Gabon in the area of human rights policy did not place it above criticism or comment. However, criticism should be viewed as an invitation to improve, as human rights were an ideal. Gabon was working towards that ideal and assured the international community that it would continue to strive to reach it. 4 GE.12-18722