A/HRC/31/7 67. Nauru accepted recommendations for the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It stated that its periodic reports to the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women were ready, while the report to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities should be finalized by the end of November 2015. On free legal services for all, Nauru had already made clear that those services were now available through the Public Legal Defender’s Office. 68. Australia welcomed the establishment of a Gender Violence and Child Protection Directorate and was pleased to assist the efforts of Nauru to address gender violence and child protection through the support for a gender-based violence counsellor. It encouraged Nauru to continue to uphold the principles of democratic processes, including freedom of speech and the rule of law, and recognized concerns, including on press freedom, Internet censorship and suspension of opposition members of parliament. Australia made recommendations. 69. Belgium welcomed the efforts made, particularly in strengthening the National Framework on Human Rights and the ratification of a number of treaties. It enquired about the measures implemented to end violence against women and their results. Belgium also asked Nauru to justify the drastic increase in the rates applicable to the press for obtaining a visa. Belgium made recommendations. 70. Brazil welcomed accession by Nauru to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. It recognized the publication of the first national study on violence against women and stated that challenges still remained in the field of gender and discriminatory practices against women. It asserted that domestic violence remained a concern and regretted the lack of a specific law to address the problem, to make sure that all criminal acts were investigated and perpetrators were prosecuted. It expressed concern about the conditions of asylum seekers, including children, in Nauru. Brazil made recommendations. 71. Canada welcomed the steps taken by Nauru to strengthen its national human rights framework, most notably toward ratification of outstanding international human rights treaties, despite resource constraints. It encouraged Nauru to continue to strengthen the legal protection of human rights, particularly the elimination of gender-based violence, by reviewing and implementing revisions to the Criminal Code. It asked that Nauru make public the report of the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture. Canada made recommendations. 72. Chile welcomed advances to accede to and ratify international human rights instruments, such as the Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol, as well as the reinforcement of Nauru of national sectorial policies and its domestic legislation in areas such as education and citizenship. Chile made recommendations. 73. Costa Rica welcomed the work done by the Government of Nauru in coordination with OHCHR to advance in its human rights commitments and be able to establish a national human rights institution. It considered that actions taken by Nauru from a human rights perspective regarding vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change, both at the national and regional levels, would contribute to preparing the population to face these situations. Costa Rica made recommendations. 74. Cuba stated that, despite challenges faced by Nauru, particularly the lack of capacity and resources, it continued to make important progress in the search for better compliance with its human rights obligations. It underscored the National Policy on Disability 2015, the National Policy on Young People 2009-2015 and the National Policy on Women 2014- 11