A/HRC/38/9 63. Iceland welcomed the progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights, including the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 64. India welcomed the initiative of the Bahamas in establishing the Office of Ombudsman to provide relief to people who had legitimate grievances against the Government. It underscored the accession to two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the establishment of the National Child Protection Council to ensure protection of the rights of all children. 65. Indonesia welcomed the approval by the Cabinet of the Bahamas for the ratification of the Convention against Torture and the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It commended the establishment of the Vision 2040 National Development Plan as a comprehensive policy framework in the field of economics, governance, social policy and the environment. 66. Ireland welcomed the de facto moratorium on the use of the death penalty for a number of years, but was concerned by reports that that practice could be terminated. It encouraged the Bahamas to accede to the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. It was concerned about the continued failure by the authorities to amend national law and criminalize marital rape. 67. Israel acknowledged the efforts exerted by the Government in order to address the constant threat of natural disasters and their effect. It commended the measures taken, such as the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act, 2014, the appointment of the National Committee for Families and Children and the launch of programmes, including “Say No, Then Go”. 68. Italy welcomed the commitment of the Bahamas to the universal periodic review and its efforts to protect and promote human rights in the country. It underscored the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the accession to two Optional Protocols of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 69. Jamaica commended the Bahamas for its commitment to improve the quality of life of all its residents, particularly the implementation of measures covering a wide range of issues, including justice, reform and social and economic issues. It also commended the Bahamas for taking full advantage of the technical assistance provided by OHCHR, and noted that the country had submitted all its outstanding reports. 70. Japan appreciated the efforts made by the Government in the country’s recovery from natural disasters, the ratification of the Bahamas of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its strengthening of initiatives in that area, as well as the measures taken that emphasized upholding the principles of the rule of law, democracy and human rights in the country. 71. Maldives welcomed the legislation adopted by the Bahamas to promote and protect the rights of women and children, as well as the measures taken to address gender-based violence and the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and encouraged the introduction of a national health insurance scheme. 72. Mexico welcomed the adoption of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act, 2014, the efforts made by the Bahamas to establish the Department of Gender and Family Affairs and the strengthening of the system of prosecution and prevention of trafficking in persons, and urged the Government to allocate the necessary budget and human resources for the implementation of that law. 73. Montenegro commended the Bahamas for the improved level of technical cooperation with OHCHR and its commitment to implement the Sustainable Development Goals and encouraged the Government to harmonize its national legislation, as well as strengthen women’s rights and gender equality. 74. Morocco commended the constitutional and legislative reforms undertaken and highlighted the efforts under way, particularly in the following areas: human trafficking (especially, women and children), the gender perspective, domestic violence, equality and non-discrimination and the integrated protection of persons with disabilities. 7