A/HRC/48/5 2009, without success. With regard to the lifting of the reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Government was conducting awareness-raising campaigns and training sessions to inform people about the text of the instrument, to give those opposed to it a better understanding of its content. 88. A draft revision of the Civil Code aimed to raise the legal age of marriage to 18 years for both girls and boys. 89. In his various messages to the defence and security forces, the President had always urged them to respect human rights and international humanitarian law when fighting the enemy. Any complaint or denunciation was systematically investigated, those responsible were subject to criminal sanctions and victims received assistance and psychological support. 90. Oman highly appreciated the efforts made in preparing the national report in a participatory manner and the reflection in the report of the human rights situation, especially in its normative and institutional contexts. 91. Pakistan commended the Niger for implementing national policies on justice and human rights, criminalizing torture in line with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and strengthening the National Human Rights Commission. 92. Panama made recommendations. 93. The Philippines was pleased to note the steady efforts of the Niger to bring its domestic legislation into line with international and regional instruments and its efforts to strengthen its National Human Rights Commission, which had regained A status in 2017. 94. Portugal welcomed the establishment of an interministerial committee for drafting reports for submission to the treaty bodies and the universal periodic review and the fact that the National Human Rights Commission had regained A status. It noted the development of a National Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response Strategy. 95. The Russian Federation noted that a major set of laws was not in line with the Constitution and the international commitments of the Niger in the area of human rights. It also noted that the activities of the leadership of the country to improve the human rights situation deserved support. 96. Rwanda welcomed the evolution of the normative and institutional human rights frameworks, including in the field of environmental protection with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. 97. Serbia welcomed the establishment of a national mechanism for the prevention of torture. 98. Sierra Leone welcomed the efforts to respond to terrorist attacks and to establish a national mechanism to prevent torture. It also commended the Niger for passing the decree on protection, support and assistance for girls attending schools. 99. Singapore commended the efforts of the Niger to enhance economic and social rights and to improve poverty indicators. It welcomed the legislative and policy measures taken to promote and protect children’s rights, despite the challenges posed by the security situation. 100. Slovenia welcomed the moratorium on the death penalty and the progress made in the legal framework to protect children’s rights. It was concerned about harmful practices against girls and women, including early marriage and female genital mutilation. 101. Somalia noted the advancement of the status of the National Human Rights Commission through the incorporation of the Paris Principles into the national legal and policy framework. 102. South Africa welcomed the political reforms that had resulted in the National Human Rights Commission regaining A status. 103. South Sudan congratulated the Niger for its cooperation with both regional and international human rights mechanisms. 8 GE.21-09329