A/HRC23/4 study on domestic violence and cooperation with regional and relevant United Nations organizations. It also noted Tonga’s achievements in improving access of the population to education and the fact that Tonga was on track to meet Millennium Development Goal 2. It made recommendations. 43. Slovakia welcomed the implementation of legislative reforms and the establishment of a new parliamentary system. It appreciated Tonga’s efforts to tackle discrimination and violence against women. It noted Tonga’s recognition of an absolute prohibition of torture since 2007 and acknowledged the establishment of a standards unit to address police conduct. It made recommendations. 44. Slovenia, with regard to the integration of a gender perspective in Tongan policies, noted positive developments in the protection of women’s rights, such as the establishment of the National Domestic Violence Unit. It observed that Tonga was unlikely to achieve Millennium Development Goal 3 in a timely manner. Slovenia noted that the age of criminal responsibility in Tonga was 8 years, which was below the international standard. It made recommendations. 45. Spain highlighted the significant improvement of political rights in Tonga since the 2009 constitutional reform and applauded Tonga’s openness to technical cooperation. The identification of an agency or executive ministry to guarantee coordination with international human rights organizations would be instrumental in improving the human rights situation in the country. It made recommendations. 46. Switzerland noted with satisfaction that Tonga had accepted its recommendations regarding ratification of international human rights treaties, but four years following the agreement to ratify those treaties, little progress has been made in that regard. It noted with interest the discussion on ratification of CEDAW but believed that all countries should ratify the core treaties. It made a recommendation. 47. Thailand congratulated Tonga for the progress achieved in human rights through significant political reforms. It welcomed Tonga’s consideration of the establishment of a national human rights institution and ratification of various treaties and urged the country to accede to CEDAW and other human rights instruments. It commended the Government’s commitment to empower and eliminate violence against women. It made recommendations. 48. Timor-Leste commended Tonga for strengthening democratic institutions and improving access to education. It noted, however, that the age of majority differed among various segments of the Tongan population. It noted that national consultations were being carried out to accede to CEDAW with a reservation and hoped that Tonga would soon accede to the Convention and withdraw its reservation. It made recommendations. 49. Trinidad and Tobago congratulated Tonga on the constitutional and political reforms made and encouraged Tonga to build on those foundations. It noted with satisfaction the efforts made with a view to achieving gender equality and protecting women’s rights and to strengthening human rights education. It applauded Tonga for actively engaging in climate change issues at the regional and international levels. It made recommendations. 50. Turkey commended Tonga’s efforts to accede to core international treaties and encouraged Tonga to continue in that vein. It welcomed dialogue aimed at establishing a human rights mechanism at the national level. Turkey welcomed also the decision to review legislation on violence against women and children and hoped that new legislation addressing all forms of domestic violence would be enacted. It made a recommendation. 51. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland encouraged Tonga to establish a human rights institution in compliance with the Paris Principles. It called on Tonga to take steps to advance the legal position of women and asked how Tonga planned to address discriminatory rules against women. While taking note of Police Act 2010, it 9