A/HRC/18/7 63. On sexual orientation, it noted that article 27 of the Constitution prohibited discrimination on any grounds whatsoever, including sexual orientation. 64. The Electoral Commissioner was appointed by an independent authority that included representation from the opposition party. All international election observers had reported that, since the adoption of the 1993 Constitution, the elections had been held freely and fairly. 65. Corporal punishment was explicitly prohibited by the 1993 Constitution. 66. The delegation categorically rejected allegations that Seychelles had refused to report to treaty bodies and reiterated that the inability to report was due to its limited capacity. 67. The Public Order Act would be replaced by a new bill that was being considered by the Government. 68. The delegation clarified that only non-consensual same-sex intercourse was an offense. 69. The issue of long periods of pretrial detention was being addressed by the Judiciary Strategic Plan of Action introduced in 2010, notably through information technology, improved case management and appointment of new judges. 70. The law of libel in Seychelles was based on English law and related to private law matters, whereas the Media Commission sought to regulate media in general, including ethics in journalism. 71. The delegation noted that there should be no major impediment to ratifying the Optional Protocols to CAT and CRPD and to ratifying CED, while underlining the existence of mechanisms that protected against enforced disappearance, including habeas corpus. The Optional Protocol to CEDAW had been ratified in March 2011 and would enter into force in June 2011. The Optional Protocol to CRC on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (OP-CRC-SC) had been signed in 2001 and there were no obstacles to Seychelles becoming a State party thereto, while the Optional Protocol to CRC on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OP-CRC-AC) had entered into force in September 2010. 72. Germany inquired about the actions of Seychelles in fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS, including national sensitization campaigns in health and educational institutions as well as through the media, to eliminate prejudice against and stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS. Germany referred to the concern expressed by the Committee on the Rights of the Child on safe drinking water and inquired about measures taken to implement this recommendation. Germany made a recommendation. 73. Chile noted the adverse affects of climate change leading to specific vulnerabilities in the country. It also noted concerns that island States might be neglected in the international development architecture. It highlighted the commitment of Seychelles to education and maternal and child health and welcomed the measures to improve the situation of children and adults with disabilities. Chile encouraged Seychellois authorities to continue their work to provide greater protection to the society on the basis of international human rights law and principles. Chile made recommendations. 74. Argentina welcomed the achievements made by Seychelles in matters of health care and reducing the rate of maternal and child mortality. It asked about the intentions of Seychelles with regard to taking measures to address the increase of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, with particular attention to their effect on women. It congratulated Seychelles on its initiatives to combat gender violence. Argentina made recommendations. 10