A/HRC/16/12 not yet ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights or the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and that, as indicated in the national report, more work needed to be done before the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities could be ratified and the related regional Biwako Millennium Framework could be implemented. New Zealand noted evidence that violence against women was an ongoing problem. It also acknowledged that overcrowding in some islands and the isolation of others had led to specific health problems. New Zealand made recommendations. 38. Canada welcomed efforts by the Marshall Islands to ensure full respect for human rights, but noted that the country had not yet signed or ratified major international human rights treaties. It also noted the vulnerability of the Marshall Islands to climate change and welcomed efforts to include human rights protection in national policies adopted in that regard. It welcomed the inclusion of the principle of non-discrimination in the Constitution. Canada encouraged efforts to address gender-based violence and to continue work on the Millennium Development Goals. Canada made recommendations. 39. Germany requested detailed information about plans to assist victims of genderbased violence. In particular, it inquired about support provided to victims by the police and by health and legal aid providers, and about education and sensitivity training provided to them in that regard. It also asked whether the Marshall Islands had any plans to accede to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees or the 1967 Protocol thereto. Germany made a recommendation. 40. Spain welcomed the fact that the Constitution of the Marshall Islands included the main human rights principles within the framework of a democratic society and urged the country to further develop the legal and institutional framework for their promotion and protection. Spain also welcomed the abolition of the death penalty in the Constitution. It requested information about whether the Marshall Islands intended to establish a national human rights institution pursuant to the Paris Principles and about the situation of vulnerable children, including with respect to the existence of protection policies and institutions. Spain made recommendations. 41. Argentina requested information about legislative measures adopted with a view to eliminating discrimination against women and providing women and children with financial, institutional and technical means to overcome intra-family violence and its consequences. Argentina made recommendations. 42. Chile noted that the national report of the Marshall Islands attested to its commitment to the promotion of human rights as well as to its realistic approach. It considered that the international community should play an important role by providing technical assistance and financial support to assist the Marshall Islands in complying with its human rights commitments. Chile commended the examination by the Government of reported irregularities in the 2007 general elections, through the designation of an Independent Investigation Commission. Chile requested information about measures adopted at the national level to ensure compliance with obligations set out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Chile made recommendations. 43. The United Kingdom was pleased to note that civil society had been consulted in the process of preparing the national report and was interested to learn how civil society could be involved in the follow-up process. It welcomed the creation of the Women in Development Office and the Child Rights Office to implement the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, but wished to receive further information about the national plan to implement those treaties. While acknowledging the unique challenges 9