A/HRC/8/50 Page 7 practices in the country. Regarding the integration of gender perspective as stated in resolution 5/1, Slovenia asked what Mali had done to achieve this goal in the preparation of its national report and what was planned for the next stages, including the outcome of the review. This question should also be reflected as a recommendation. 19. Luxembourg congratulated Mali for the success in consolidating democracy and for the presentation to the Parliament of a bill to abolish the death penalty, recommending its prompt adoption. Referring to the bill to be adopted on a new citizen’s code, it recommended that this code should, inter alia, establish legal equality between men and women with a view to abolishing any discrimination and all violence, including domestic violence suffered by women and girls, and legally ban FGM, and recommended that this bill be promptly adopted in Parliament. Luxembourg asked the delegation to provide information on the schedule for the adoption of both these bills. Luxembourg further highlighted its development cooperation with Mali, in particular to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. 20. Japan asked what specific measures the Government had taken so far to draw up a comprehensive plan of action for children, as recommended by the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Japan also wished that the Government take further measures against HIV/AIDS, including preventive measures against mother to child transmission. Finally, Japan recommended Mali to consider the practicability of enacting legislation prohibiting FGM. 21. With reference to concerns raised by three treaty bodies (Human Rights Committee, CEDAW, and the Committee on the Rights of the Child) about the continued frequent practice of FGM and the lack of legislation prohibiting it, Switzerland welcomed the national programme to combat excision but stated that awareness raising must be accompanied by a law prohibiting it. Switzerland recommended that Mali promptly adopt appropriate legislation, which prohibits excision and all forms of FGM and ensures that all those responsible for excision are duly punished. The treaty bodies also stated that domestic violence is prevalent and that neither marital violence nor marital rape is criminalized. Switzerland recommended that the Government adopt measures to combat violence, in particular through legislation defining and outlawing domestic violence, and by providing training to judges and civil servants and organizing awareness-raising programmes targeting the society as a whole. In reference to Mali’s recognition of the need to revise its discriminatory legislation against women and children, Switzerland welcomed the draft family code. It recommended that Mali should give high priority to reforming discriminatory legislation in order to adopt as soon as possible the draft family code, taking into account the recommendations made by CEDAW. 22. In view of the forthcoming visit, agreed in principle, of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders to Mali, Latvia asked whether the Government would consider extending a standing invitation to all Human Rights Council special procedures. 23. While noting the reference made by the Human Rights Committee, CEDAW and the Committee on the Rights of the Child on the high incidence of FGM, Ireland asked what measures the Government has taken to combat it. Ireland also made reference to the call made by the Human Rights Committee to abolish degrading marriage practices that discriminate against women and asked what steps the Government has taken towards implementing this recommendation. Ireland welcomed the existence of the High National Council for Combating HIV/AIDS and the provision of free antiretroviral therapy but noted that the Committee on the Rights of the Child had raised concern about the high number of children infected and the lack of preventive measures. Ireland asked what action has been taken by the High National Council to combat HIV/AIDS. Recognizing