27. A number of these laws were not in alignment with the requirements of the ACRWC and the CRC. A number of them infringed certain rights and prohibitions and others were marked by gaps in terms of the protection and services required by the ACRWC and the CRC. Some of the laws targeted for repeal or amendment include the Corporal Punishment Act; the Local Courts Act 1963; the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act, 1962; the Protection of Women and Girls Act, 1927; the Children and Young Persons Act; the Military Forces Act, 1961; the common and customary laws governing legitimacy, parental rights, responsibilities, corporal punishment, inheritance and marriage laws. A number of the laws in question have been repealed and others are under review. The current status of the relevant laws is discussed in more detail in the relevant sections of this report. 28. The GoSL undertook law reform aimed at harmonizing its common, statutory and customary laws and systems with the ACRWC, the CRC and other instruments. The relevant policies and laws are discussed in detail in the substantive sections of this report. In summary, a number of the key developments include the following: 28.1 The Education Act, 2004 was enacted to give effect to children’s rights to free compulsory basic education and to make provision for the inclusion of marginalized and otherwise vulnerable children as required by the ACRWC, the CRC and UNESCO’s EFA goals. It inter alia, makes basic education a right for every citizen and compulsory for children between the ages of six and fifteen years. It further introduced the free primary education policy. 28.2 The Local Government Act, 2004 reintroduced democratically elected local councils with executive and legislative authority to ensure the decentralised and responsive development of laws and programmes to ensure the development of their localities and welfare of the people living within their jurisdictions. The powers afforded the councils enables them to provide key child-focussed services such as schools, health care and birth registration. 28.3 The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone Act, 2004 established an independent Human Rights Commission with the role of protecting and promoting human rights, including children’s rights through investigation of complaints and advocacy. 28.4 The Trafficking in Persons Act, 2005 was enacted to recognize and prevent the crime of trafficking in persons, particularly women and children. 28.5 The Recruitment Policy of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, 2004 and the Armed Forces Recruitment Act, 2006 prohibits the recruitment of children into the armed forces. 28.6 The National Children’s Policy, 2006, provides an overarching strategic framework for action by all role players in the country to promote the best interests of the child and “secure the progressive and maximum attainment of the survival, development, participation and protection of every child within the country”. 2. General Measures of Implementation  9