A/HRC/8/39 Page 13 45. Pakistan commended Benin on the broad consultations with all stakeholders for the preparation of the national report. It noted the international human rights instruments to which Benin is party and the legislative, judicial and administrative steps taken to guarantee the promotion and protection of human rights of its citizens. It also noted with appreciation the efforts to address some of the key concerns such as the right to education, right to a dignified life, the freedom of expression, the rights of women, children, disabled and family unit. It also noted Benin’s acknowledgment of the ongoing and remaining challenges including the lack of resources and under-development and hope that it will receive the necessary technical and material support from the international community. It asked about steps taken by Benin to raise awareness of the opportunities people have to bring matters before the Constitutional Court. 46. Italy, while noting that Benin adopted a de facto moratorium on executions many years ago, indicated that decisive steps towards abolition would be particularly welcome. It asked whether Benin would soon adopt measures in this direction. While welcoming efforts in the justice sector, which have led to a fairly positive legal framework, it noted difficulties regarding the actual achievements of individual rights, often caused by the persistence of certain prejudices or beliefs linked to certain traditions particularly concerning the rights of children and women, where the absence of a strategy to facilitate human rights education is more obvious. It asked whether the authorities are envisaging improvement of their performance in this field. 47. Slovenia noted the requirement of fully integrating a gender perspective in the UPR and asked about the steps taken by Benin to comply with this requirement in its consultations, the preparation of the national report and the next stages of the review. It recommended that Benin systematically and continuously integrate a gender perspective in the follow-up process to the review. 48. Chad welcomed efforts made to realize political, economic, social and cultural rights and the fact that primary education has been free of charge, and noted the micro-credit programme addressed to the poorest to exercise incoming-generating activities. It called on development partners to provide Benin with all the necessary assistance it needs to exercise its reform programme to reduce poverty in the country. It asked if on the sub-regional level or with neighbouring countries there is any a legal mechanism or cooperation to address the problem of trafficking in children. 49. Mexico acknowledged the efforts made by Benin to promote and protect human rights and implementing the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, notably as concerns the adoption of a plan of action to prevent and combat exploitation and sexual abuse. Mexico recommended that Benin promote the visit of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography which could contribute to the efforts of Benin in its protection of the children. It also noted the obstacles faced in particular with respect to the administration of justice. It recommended that Benin strengthen its cooperation with special procedures of the Human Rights Council, by accepting visits, replying to communications, urgent measures and questions by special procedures. It also noted the moratorium on the death penalty and invited Benin to consider the abolition of death penalty and to consider ratifying the Second Optional Protocol of the ICCPR. It also asked further information on the steps taken on the national human rights programme supplementing existing measures to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights. 50. South Africa welcomed efforts made in the area of the right to education despite Benin’s limited resources. It requested further information on the status of the provision of adequate housing in the light of the legislative measures undertaken. It recommended to Benin to explore