A/HRC/19/5 combating domestic violence and asked about the temporary special measures to encourage greater appreciation of women in political life. Maldives made recommendations. 46. Uruguay commended the efforts of the Government in the fields of education, health, security, development and cultural recreation. It was concerned by the use of corporal punishment in the legal system as a penalty for certain crimes, in the home and in schools. It was also concerned by the absence of mechanisms and policies to prevent child abuse and neglect. It noted that several treaty bodies had advised the Government to request technical assistance to the United Nations in order to implement their recommendations. Uruguay made recommendations. 47. The delegation once again thanked States for their complementary remarks and recommendations that they had made. Concerning specialized schools for persons with disabilities, Antigua and Barbuda did have such schools established, fully funded by the Government, ensuring that various persons who taught there were fully trained. As regards the greater participation of women in political life, the speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate were women, and there were two women ministers. Additionally, there was a very proactive women’s group called the Professional Organization of the Advancement of Women (POWA). The issue of women being part and parcel of the political process was a live debate. The political climate sometimes seemed to adversely affect the continued participation of women in the political process. The issue was, however, handled very openly, and Antigua and Barbuda would encourage and seek to ensure that more women were part and parcel of the process. 48. There was a certain amount of public acceptance of homosexual conduct, although generally in a silent way. Antigua and Barbuda, however, did not have a political mandate with respect to changing the law, notwithstanding the fact that enforcement of those laws was not actually sought. The Government would continue its efforts on education and information to ensure that the public opinion would in time adopt the international standards. 49. Excessive use of force and threats of violence by the police force was a very rare occurrence. Within the police force and also within civil society, bodies that monitored the complaints of that nature were established. 50. The delegation thanked Maldives for its willingness to share its experience in conducting consultative processes in the run-up to the universal periodic review. Antigua and Barbuda expected to have more active consultation, after its review, both with the public and stakeholders and various members of the Government under the directive of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, particularly a specially appointed unit. The delegation noted the suggestion that such a body or a committee should be headed or chaired by the Prime Minister’s Office to give it the necessary impetus and importance. 51. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland acknowledged the challenges faced in implementing the human rights obligations of Antigua and Barbuda. It welcomed the steps taken to address the issue of sexual violence such as training for police officers and nurse forensic examiners and encouraged the Government to seek ways to increase the number of cases that were successfully prosecuted. It raised concerns with the overcrowding in the prisons and encouraged Antigua and Barbuda to consider replacing the current prison facility with a new prison that would meet the United Nations standards. It promoted the culture of tolerance and inquired about the actions taken to put an end to discrimination against LGBT persons. The United Kingdom made recommendations. 52. Morocco welcomed the progress made in achieving the Millennium Development Goals and particularly on the implementation of the National Social Transformation Plan. It praised the establishment of the Office of the Mediator in 1995, the laws on the fight 10