A/HRC/23/4 torture, despite Tonga’s non-ratification of the international convention against torture and its lack of legal provisions thereon. It made a recommendation. 70. Hungary noted with satisfaction the progressive developments in Tonga, including democratic elections in 2010, women’s increased participation and incorporation of international human rights standards into police training curricula. It welcomed the steps taken to ensure equality in education, health care and employment for women and persons with disabilities, although gender discrimination persists with regard to land ownership and inheritance. Hungary noted that Tonga has not yet ratified CAT. It made a recommendation. 71. Lord Vaea of the Tonga delegation thanked States for the warm reception of Tonga’s second national report and the efforts to provide useful and valuable recommendations. He added that the immediate response by the delegates would encourage Tonga to continue its commitment to human rights. He stated that the recommendations offered were consistent with Tonga’s objectives and indicated that most of the recommendations would be considered favourably. 72. Lord Vaea stated that Tonga would definitely take the recommendations to heart and would work to prioritize what it can achieve in the near future, leaving other recommendations as a goal for achievement further down the track. 73. Tonga, however, wished to provide the following brief comments about some of the interventions. 74. Regarding rape within a marriage, the Criminal Offences Act was amended in 1999 and criminalizes rape in marriage. 75. Regarding ratification of the Rome Statute, Tonga is in the process of obtaining a policy decision to sign the Rome Statute. 76. Concerning Brazil’s enquiry regarding reviewing the legal provisions for the age of maturity, Tonga stated that there is a general provision relating to the age of maturity for the nobility in the Constitution and there are other provisions in the criminal, land and other contexts that provide for maturity for all. So far this has not being a legal issue in Tonga, but it will review the situation and consider whether to have one general provision for age of maturity and realign the other legal provisions. 77. Concerning the question from Canada regarding corruption, Tonga is continuing to strengthen anti-corruption measures by proposing an overarching Good Governance Commission to support the Anti-Corruption Commissioner and the new Ombudsman in their activities, while at the same time maintaining their independence. Within the public service, the Audit Office regularly audits Government ministries and agencies. The Public Service Commission is also effective in combating corruption within the public service. 78. In closing, Lord Vaea thanked the Secretariat and translation staff for their assistance. II. Conclusions and/or recommendations** 79. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue and listed below enjoy the support of Tonga: 79.1. Expedite the ratification of the CEDAW (Bhutan); ** The conclusions and recommendations have not been edited. 12