A/HRC/19/5 in order to improve the quality of life of the persons affected by this disease. Argentina made recommendations. 61. The delegation thanked the States for their encouragement and recommendations they had made and assured that its children were its future leaders and that it was committed to ensuring that they would receive best education and health opportunities, which included equal opportunities and good quality of life for children with disabilities. 62. The Government was committed to protecting all members of the society from discrimination, harassment and violence, regardless of their sexual orientation. The Government’s commitment to protecting all members of the society remained as strong as ever. 63. With respect to death penalty, the delegation stated that the Court of Appeal indicated the rules and regulations in that regard and read an extract from the judgment of the then Chief Justice Sir Dennis Byron: “Rational and humane sentencing in accordance with a requirement of due process requires individualized sentencing in imposing the death penalty. The sentencing discretion should be guided by legislative or judicially prescribed principles and standards and subject to an effective judicial review in order to ensure that the death penalty was imposed only in the most exceptional and appropriate circumstances. A procedure which provided no opportunity for personal mitigation of sentence before the imposition of a mandatory sentence was not reasonable or just or fair, and was therefore inconsistent with Antigua and Barbuda’s constitutional provision.” In the light of that judgment, imposition of the death penalty would be guided by strict judicial directives and principles. 64. As to the criminal procedures, the delegation stated that it was endeavouring to ensure that persons in prison, awaiting trial, would not spend too long a time in there before the trials. Criminal trials had been earlier occurring three times a year. However, Antigua and Barbuda was introducing criminal trials throughout the whole year with one or two judges dedicated towards dealing with criminal trials. It had introduced legislation that abolished and replaced preliminary investigations in respect of indictable offences with paper committals to ensure speedy trials. 65. The delegation thanked Morocco for its assistance to educational opportunities and Barbados for the statement calling on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to work with Antigua and Barbuda, taking into consideration its capacity constraints. Antigua and Barbuda would welcome that opportunity and would certainly approach the High Commissioner in that regard. 66. The delegation thanked various delegations for constructive comments and expressions of support. It had taken careful note of all concerns and comments expressed. It reiterated that it had approached the review and recommendations in a very serious and realistic manner and considered that a number of short-, medium- and long-term objectives would have to be undertaken. Antigua and Barbuda would take necessary steps within its available resources towards fulfilling its international commitments, which would further enhance and reinforce the promotion and protection of human rights of its citizens and residents. 12