A/HRC/18/8 60. Maldives acknowledged the consultation process engaged by Solomon Islands, a fellow member of the Alliance of Small Island States, to prepare its national report for the review. It stated that the Working Group should understand the challenges in the promotion and protection of human rights faced by the country because of its small size and capacity constraints. It recognized the commitment of Solomon Islands to human rights and progress achieved in a range of areas covering civil and political rights, and economic, social and cultural rights. It made recommendations. 61. Mexico recognized efforts made to address the past, in particular the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It expressed appreciation of the recognition by the Government of challenges faced in areas such as youth unemployment, violence within the family, gender equality and access to education, as well as efforts to ratify international human rights conventions. Mexico asked for greater details on what type of international technical cooperation would be needed to prevent and eliminate sexual exploitation and abuse, in particular of women. It made recommendations. 62. Spain welcomed the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2009. It asked how it reconciled the treatment received by Mr. Lusibaea with the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It also requested information on measures taken by the Government to guarantee gender equality in political life and other domains. It made recommendations. 63. Trinidad and Tobago recognized the many challenges faced by the country and commended Solomon Islands for the work undertaken to incorporate into domestic law the rights of people with disabilities, child protection and the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. It also congratulated the Government for acknowledging slow progress in areas such as law reform, the rights of women and children, and domestic violence, affirming that the situation was the result of resource capacity constraints rather than a lack of commitment. It made recommendations. 64. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland hoped that the Government of Solomon Islands would take the opportunity offered by the review to demonstrate that it was genuine in its desire to move on from the tensions and was serious in its attempts to rebuild the country. It recognized the challenges faced by Solomon Islands and welcomed the announcement of a standing invitation to the special procedures. It hoped the Government would seek technical assistance and cultivate the involvement of civil society in the follow up to the review. It asked whether the Government would consider raising the minimum ages regarding child labour and criminal responsibility. It made recommendations. 65. In response to questions raised by countries on the issue of age of criminal responsibility, the delegation noted that the Penal Code provides for a current minimum age of criminal responsibility of 8 years old. A child under the age of 12 was not criminally responsible for an act or omission unless he or she had the capacity to know that he or she ought not to do an act or an omission. The minimum age of criminal responsibility was currently being considered by the Law Reform Commission, under its mandate to review the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedures Code. 66. Costa Rica acknowledged the social progress achieved by Solomon Islands in the area of education and health. It considered that to further improve the situation it would be important to grant special attention to girls’ access to education. It was concerned by human rights constraints provoked by external factors such as climate change. It recalled, in that regard, Human Rights Council resolution 16/11 and invited Solomon Islands to present its contribution and comments to OHCHR. It made recommendations. 67. Morocco noted that the national report indicates progress made in spite of difficulties linked to high unemployment and poverty and climate change. It commended 10