A/HRC/8/50 Page 6 international community to provide assistance to Mali. It noted with interest that Mali has developed a new experience in the area of freedom of expression and opinion by establishing the EID, which is a good practice to be encouraged. Finally, Morocco recommended that the international community take on board Mali’s request for technical assistance. 14. Cameroon encouraged Mali to intensify the measures for the protection of human rights, in particular those of children and women, and to incorporate the provisions of international treaties into its domestic legislation. 15. The Netherlands highlighted challenges faced by Mali to ensure respect for human rights. It welcomed the creation of legal information centres and the provision of free legal advice in the framework of the Programme Décennal de Développement de la Justice (PRODEJ) and asked whether the Government has a timetable for such centres to be put in place. The Netherlands further indicated that despite measures taken by the Government, female genital mutilation (FGM) is still widespread in Mali and recommended that Mali enact legislation prohibiting all forms of this harmful traditional practice in line with recommendations made by the Human Rights Committee, Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Considering that article 116 of the Constitution gives precedence to international law, the Netherlands recommended that Mali further step up its efforts to bring earlier national legislation in line with its international obligations, especially in the area of women’s and children’s rights. 16. The Czech Republic asked the delegation to further elaborate on measures adopted to eliminate harmful traditions and practices such as polygamy and FGM. It recommended the adoption of legislative and other measures, including awareness-raising campaigns, to discontinue the existence of harmful traditions and practices undermining the enjoyment of human rights by women. It also recommended the adoption and implementation of legislation prohibiting and criminalizing FGM, and legislation criminalizing domestic violence and other forms of violence against women. Moreover, the Czech Republic recommended strengthening the national framework for the protection of human rights, especially with regard to women and children. It recommended the revision of the so-called “insult law” which allows for prosecution and punishment in the form of high fines and prison sentences of journalists, in breach of international standards on freedom of expression. Finally, it recommended issuing and implementing standing invitations to special procedures mandate-holders. 17. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland urged Mali to fulfil its obligations to present periodic reports to treaty monitoring mechanisms. It welcomed Mali’s commitment to addressing discrimination against women and girls, noted the concerns expressed by various monitors that Mali has no legislation prohibiting and criminalizing FGM and recommended that Mali take further steps to combat all discriminatory and harmful cultural practices that prevent women and girls from enjoying their human rights. The United Kingdom supported the view of UNICEF that there is genuine political will to improve the situation of children and agreed with the recommendation made by the Committee on the Rights of the Child that Mali continue its efforts of systematically registering children at birth, particularly in remote areas. It noted the moratorium on the death penalty and welcomed the Government’s recent adoption of a bill on its abolition. Finally, the United Kingdom requested more information on steps taken to ensure that freedom of expression and opinion is upheld in Mali. 18. Slovenia stated that the Tamachek minority was still facing societal discrimination and hereditary servitude relationship between them and other ethnic groups, which would deprive Tamacheks of their civil liberties. Slovenia recommended putting an end to all slavery-related