A/HRC23/4 the Prisons Department and Tonga Defence Services were using their development programmes to educate their personnel on respect and protection of human rights. 13. In relation to protection of freedom of expression, information and the press, Lord Vaea stated that this fundamental human right was enshrined in clause 7 of the Tongan Constitution and that the media enjoyed relative freedom, subject to the laws of defamation, sedition and contempt of court. He reported that a Tonga Media Council had been established by the Tongan media to regulate their own activities; however, it was still in its infancy stages of development. He also reported that Tonga had adopted a freedom of information policy, which was being introduced incrementally by all Government ministries and agencies. It is envisaged that the policy will be a basis to enact freedom of information legislation. 14. In relation to increasing awareness for persons with disabilities, Lord Vaea referred to a question from Slovenia as to how Tonga guarantees the rights of persons with disabilities and what improvements have been made in recent years. He said that Tongan legislation offered the same protection of rights to disabled and non-disabled persons and that there was no discrimination in the law or in practice against disabled persons. The only gaps were the special rights for disabled, such as communication for persons who are hearing or sight impaired. Lord Vaea stated that Tonga has a policy on inclusive education for disabled persons, that legislation requires access facilities for disabled persons to be built in public buildings and that Tonga was supportive of regional efforts, such as the Biwaka Millennium Framework for Action, the Pacific Disability Forum and the AustraliaPacific Islands Disability Support. Tonga acknowledged the assistance provided by the Government of Australia in this area. Lord Vaea also stated that there are two disabled persons organizations active in pursuing the rights of disabled persons, and an organization that provides rehabilitation services for disabled persons. He reported that social clubs provide support for persons with disabilities on a regular basis. 15. Lord Vaea referred to a question from Slovenia about steps to include the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) into domestic legislation and the time frame for ratifying the Convention. Lord Vaea said that disabled persons have rights under Tongan law at a general level. Tonga could not provide a time frame for the ratification of the Convention. 16. Lord Vaea then referred to a question from Spain about plans to improve the living conditions of persons with disabilities and to eradicate discrimination against them. Lord Vaea stated that Tonga was encouraging commitment to improve the lives of persons with disabilities by way of support for disabled persons organizations and also regional plans of action. Furthermore, Tongan legislation does not discriminate against disabled persons. He stated that Tonga was committed to ratifying the Convention; however, no time frame was available. 17. In relation to anti-corruption, Lord Vaea stated that the Tongan Government was establishing fully independent Attorney General and Auditor General offices, as well as enacting new legislation to create effective and efficient offices for the Anti-Corruption Commissioner and Ombudsman. Tonga was committed to establishing and strengthening these anti-corruption mechanisms. 18. With regard to establishing a human rights institution, Lord Vaea referred to a question from the United Kingdom about plans to establish a human rights institution. Lord Vaea said that Tonga was still not able to establish a national human rights institution, due to lack of resources. Government ministries and agencies respect and protect human rights collectively; however, Tonga recognizes the importance of establishing a human rights focal point within the Government, and hoped that donor partners would consider providing assistance for this initiative. 5