A/HRC/25/4 92. Philippines noted the ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW) and lauded Senegal for its determination to eradicate FGM. It made recommendations. 93. The Republic of Moldova welcomed measures adopted to protect children, particularly street children, and noted efforts to attain the MDGs. It made recommendations. 94. Romania congratulated Senegal on the reinstatement of the National Human Rights Advisory Council, and the growing role and political visibility of women, thanks to legislation adopted on gender parity. It welcomed the amendment of the Nationality Act. It made recommendations. 95. The Russian Federation was satisfied with measures adopted to protect human rights and the achievements made. It made recommendations. 96. Rwanda commended developments in the normative and institutional frameworks for human rights. Rwanda noted with satisfaction that the new National Assembly had 65 women members and that measures had been taken to combat FGM. It made recommendations. 97. Sierra Leone noted that Senegal had made commendable efforts in many areas, including human trafficking and gender parity. It highlighted that a law on enslavement, as well as legislative and regulatory measures protecting human rights, had been adopted. Sierra Leone made recommendations. 98. The Senegalese delegation said that prior authorization was not needed to form a trade union, although advance notice must be given. Therefore, forming a trade union in Senegal did not present any difficulties. 99. Regarding access to justice, the Government had implemented a far-reaching modernization programme based on measures of three kinds: firstly, the creation of legal advice centres offering legal services to the most impoverished and relieve the pressure on courts; secondly, State provision of legal aid amounting to some CFAF 400 million in order to allow lawyers to assist those who would not otherwise have access to justice; and thirdly, the improvement of the legal infrastructure, notably by building a number of courts and appeal courts. 100. With regard to torture, a subject that had been broached during the interactive dialogue, the Government had begun reforms to the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, and they would be submitted to the National Assembly before the end of 2013. Under those reforms, witness statements produced under torture would be deemed null and void. Additionally, the detainee’s lawyer must be present from the start of their detention. 101. A draft children’s code had already been adopted by the Council of Ministers. The office of Ombudsman for the Rights of the Child had been created and an appointment was due to be made in early 2014. 102. As regards cooperation with United Nations mechanisms, since 2009 Senegal had received several visits. Furthermore, Senegal was endeavouring to get up to date with the completion and submission of its reports to treaty bodies. 103. The resolution of the conflict in Casamance was a priority for the Government. A far-reaching programme of economic and social development and rehabilitation had been implemented. A forum for dialogue, truth and reconciliation had been established, which was accessible to all concerned, including victims. GE.13-18935 11