A/HRC/23/4 Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Italy made recommendations. 33. Japan welcomed the enactment of constitutional and electoral reform legislation and the freedom of information policy. It welcomed the campaign to combat domestic violence and efforts made towards ratifying CEDAW. Japan noted that Tonga had not submitted its first report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child and hoped that it would do so as soon as possible. It made a recommendation. 34. Latvia thanked Tonga for its comprehensive report and welcomed the positive steps taken to demonstrate its commitment to human rights. It referred to the issue of standing invitations to the special procedures of the Human Rights Council, which it had addressed during Tonga’s last review. It made recommendations. 35. Malaysia was encouraged by Tonga’s efforts to balance respect for civil and political rights with that of social and cultural rights. It commended Tonga’s achievements in education. It considered that the Government’s determination to improve protection and promotion of human rights in the country should be acknowledged and called on the international community to support the Government’s request for technical assistance. 36. Maldives commended Tonga for its constitutional and political reforms. It welcomed Tonga’s efforts to accede to CEDAW and the appointment of women to high-level positions. It noted with satisfaction the implementation of recommendations regarding gender violence. Lack of funding is a major challenge for Tonga; Maldives therefore called on the international community to extend its support to the country. 37. Mexico welcomed Tonga’s efforts to strengthen the democratic process and trusted that those actions would result in increased protection and promotion of human rights. Mexico noted measures taken to implement previous recommendations, including the introduction of legislation to combat corruption. It encouraged Tonga to intensify efforts to ratify the human rights instruments it has not yet ratified and to bring its legislation into line with them. Mexico made recommendations. 38. Morocco commended Tonga on the progress achieved towards creating a human rights infrastructure and supported efforts made by the complaints commissioner. It congratulated Tonga on the report on land issues and asked whether women’s access to urban property might be extended to rural areas. It requested information on the status of national consultations to incorporate human rights at different levels of public education. 39. New Zealand noted that, despite Government efforts, there was not equal participation between men and women in various areas of contemporary life. It welcomed measures taken and progress made in drafting legislation to protect women from violence and remained committed to supporting Tonga in that area. It made recommendations. 40. Norway noted that Tonga’s commitments to ratifying important human rights conventions had not been implemented. It expressed concern about reports of high levels of domestic violence and the fact that marital rape was not criminalized. It was also concerned that Tonga’s legislation discriminated against women in the field of inheritance. Norway noted that Tonga had not used capital punishment since 1982. It made recommendations. 41. The Philippines noted that Tonga has yet to accede to certain international conventions. It trusted that Tonga would attend to the need to protect vulnerable groups. It noted, despite the lack of adequate legislation in the area, the progress made to combat domestic violence, and encouraged Tonga to intensify efforts to protect the rights of women and children. It made recommendations. 42. Singapore commended Tonga’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. It noted Tonga’s efforts to eliminate violence against women, including a national 8