A/HRC/38/9 75. Mozambique commended the Bahamas for its political commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights through the ratification of international human rights instruments, welcomed the approval of the national strategic plan in 2016 to address all forms of violence, as well as the Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) Act in 2007. 76. Namibia welcomed the progress made in improving human rights despite the adverse effects resulting from reoccurring hurricanes, commended the Bahamas for the peaceful change of Administration following the national general elections in 2017 and noted with concern that the constitutional referendum did not approve the proposed amendments on gender equality. 77. The Netherlands welcomed the acceptance of most recommendations made during the previous universal periodic review, although it regretted the fact that the Bahamas had rejected all previous recommendations on the establishment of a moratorium on executions or the abolition of the death penalty. 78. Peru welcomed the institutional progress made by the Bahamas in the area of education. It valued the efforts made by the Bahamas to effect constitutional change through the referendum in 2016. 79. The Philippines acknowledged the progress made by the Bahamas, in particular, its efforts at national transformation through the Vision 2040 National Development Plan. It noted the independent and impartial judiciary of the Bahamas in civil matters and acknowledged the country’s independent press and judiciary, as well as the functioning democratic political system. 80. The Bahamas noted the reports of alleged widespread violence against women. It had no such information, but out of caution, it undertook to improve monitoring. 81. With respect to the establishment of a human rights institution, the Bahamas was looking carefully at the question. 82. The Bahamas explained that, in the legal framework for migrants, the priority was to avoid the indefinite detention of persons. 83. Regarding gender equality, the Bahamas stressed the need in a democracy to develop the necessary social consensus. 84. As regards human trafficking, the Bahamas was trying to establish direct bilateral relationships with law enforcement agencies in neighbouring countries. 85. The Bahamas noted that the death penalty was an emotive issue. It had been trying to raise the conviction rate, which currently stood at some 70 per cent for murder cases. It was hoped that, over time, the death penalty would no longer be necessary. 86. Portugal welcomed the approval of the national strategic plan to address gender-based violence in 2016 in the Bahamas, as well as the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and accession to two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 87. The Republic of Korea commended the Bahamas for its efforts to improve access to justice, namely through the Swift Justice initiative. It also welcomed the commitments of the Bahamas to protect the rights of children and persons with disabilities. 88. Senegal congratulated the Bahamas for its progress achieved regarding the recommendations accepted after its previous universal periodic review in 2013. It also welcomed the constitutional referendum on gender equality that the Bahamas had had in June 2016. 89. Sierra Leone commended the Bahamas on its ongoing efforts to implement its Vision 2040 National Development Plan. It commended the Bahamas for the adoption of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act, 2014, and applauded the country’s efforts to harmonize national legislation with international human rights obligations. 90. Singapore commended the Bahamas for its continued commitment, national efforts and international cooperation to comprehensively combat trafficking in persons. It applauded the legislative and policy measures implemented, including the Criminal Procedure Code 8