destruction of ecosystems and failure to protect the beauty and character of Namibia. The Ombudsman can take a variety of steps to remedy such problems, including negotiation between the parties concerned and court action. During the period under review the Ombudsman investigated complaints around the over-utilization of seals, focusing on the legality of the annual seal harvest. The findings were inter alia that the harvesting of seals is lawful and that the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources did not exceed his jurisdiction and his powers in respect of the management and utilization of seals in Namibia. The Environmental Management Act, Act No. 7 of 2007 further established an Environmental Commissioner with inter alia the function to advise Government bodies on the preparation of environmental plans, to receive and record all applications for environmental clearance certificates, to determine whether or not a particular listed activity requires an environmental assessment and to determine the scope, procedure and methods for a particular environmental assessment. This Act also provides for the appointment of environmental officers who have powers of search and seizure, and to issue compliance orders when someone violates the law. xvi. Continue to take all necessary measures to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS, protect those infected and affected against discrimination, stigmatization and ostracism, and provide information in its next Report, on the availability of anti-retroviral treatment; IN RESPONSE The Government adopted a National Health Policy Framework for the period 2010/2020. Most of the primary health care policies of the World Health Organization have been incorporated into the Policy. In its national effort to combat HIV and AIDS, the Government launched a Strategic Plan Programme in 1999, and in 2009 the Government launched an HIV and AIDS Policy that calls on all stakeholders to contribute to the fight against HIV and AIDS and Prevention. An amount of N$ 7, 6 million (US$ 800, 000) was allocated to fight HIV and AIDS and Prevention from 2005 to 2012 financial years. The National Strategic Framework (NSF) for HIV and AIDS 2010/11 -2015/16 succeeded the Medium Term Plan 3 (MTP3) that came to an end in March 2010. The framework provides strategic policy, planning and implementation guidance and leadership for the national HIV and AIDS multi-sectoral response. - 13 -