A/HRC/18/8 42. The delegation took note of recommendations to ratify human rights instruments which Solomon Islands had not yet signed/ratified and reassured countries that Solomon Islands would take the necessary steps to do so. 43. In relation to the comments of Canada, Solomon Islands acknowledged that the current offences in the Penal Code of procuring defilement of a woman by threats, being involved with a household permitting defilement of a girl under 15 years, detaining an individual in a brothel and obtaining and disposing of minors for immoral purposes only applied to girls and women and some offences were limited to acts of sexual intercourse. 44. The delegation acknowledged that laws did not criminalize the full range of activities associated with child prostitution. Penalties were now low and there was no protection for children from being liable to prosecutions for prostitution. Standards from the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, prostitution and child pornography were being used to develop recommendations for reforms in that area, even though Solomon Islands had only signed the protocol. The Law Reform Commission was also considering introduction of an offence regarding the sale of children for sexual exploitation. 45. On comments made by Cuba, regarding efforts to promote the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities, the delegation referred to progress to be made as part of the current National Policy on Eliminating Violence against Women, the Youth and Children’s Policies and the Disability Policy. 46. The Constitution did not contain a guarantee of access to health care. However, the draft Federal Constitution did include a section on heath care in article 47. The delegation took the opportunity to thank the Cuban Government for the number of its students carrying out medicine studies in Cuba. Cuba had also sent medical officers and doctors who were working in Solomon Islands to assist in alleviating or eliminating some of the health problems. 47. Solomon Islands had a corporate plan on health care which was based on the following qualifications: improvement of access to quality care, management and development of human resources, maternity and morbidity reduction, maintenance of health environment, promotion of healthy living and lifestyle and improvement of reproductive health and family planning. 48. In response to comments made by Algeria, the delegation noted that it would work to ratify human rights treaties to strengthen its framework and institutions. 49. In response to a question made by Ireland, the delegation stated that the Law Reform Commission did not have a specific mandate to deal with traditional justice, but the Ministry of Justice and the World Bank were currently working together on a project called “Justice for the Poor” to address the issue. 50. The delegation reported that access to justice was a priority for Solomon Islands and that it would continue to reform laws and policies. The delegation took the opportunity to thank Australia for the assistance provided in institution-strengthening and capacitybuilding in the law sector. 51. Solomon Islands further stated that it had recently sent an invitation to the OHCHR Regional Office for an in-country assessment for the purpose of establishing an office in Solomon Islands. 52. The delegation noted the commitment of the Government to ensure legal mechanisms were in place and conducive to the rights of women and children. 53. On the issue of corporal punishment of children, the delegation stated that the Penal Code contained an offence of cruelty towards children, section 233. However, that section 8