A/HRC/18/8 However, there had not been any submissions to the Law Reform Commission in their review of the Penal Code to repeal those sections. 27. In concluding, Solomon Islands noted that it had frameworks and institutions that work to integrate human rights; however, it was also dealing with a range of competing priorities and limited resources. It called on the international community to help them to explore how they could strategize to ensure that the citizens of Solomon Islands continued to enjoy full realization of their rights. The delegation recognized the initiatives of the Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community for a regional human rights commission that would reinforce national initiatives to promote and protect human rights. 28. Solomon Islands announced that it was extending an open invitation to all mandate holders of the United Nations special procedures to visit the country. 29. Solomon Islands informed that a coordinating committee would be established to monitor implementation, monitoring and reporting following the universal periodic review. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 30. During the interactive dialogue, 28 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue can be found in chapter II of the present report. 31. Canada welcomed the adoption of policies and plans to address several human rights issues as well as the announcement of the extension of an open invitation to the special procedures. It was concerned by the lack of law enforcement, ongoing corruption and continuing widespread discrimination against women and girls, children of certain ethnic minorities, and children with disabilities, endemic practices of domestic violence and illtreatment and abuse of children, including child labour, exploitation and prostitution. Canada made recommendations. 32. Cuba stated that Solomon Islands faced enormous challenges, originating from the global economic crisis and serious environmental problems, as well as other consequences of the unjust international economic order. Additionally, it noted that the country had been faced with an ethnic conflict and that great efforts had been required to restore normality. Cuba considered that, nevertheless, the country had deployed significant efforts to minimize the negative impact of those circumstances noting, in particular, measures to ensure education and improve services for the population. It also took note of the National Health Plan 2010–2015 and collaboration between the two countries to help improve health services and train health professionals. Cuba made recommendations. 33. Algeria commended Solomon Islands for having been always a supporter of human rights initiatives at the regional level and for governmental efforts in the areas of health, youth and education. It expressed the conviction that further progress would be achieved within the framework of the implementation of the National Development Strategy 2011– 2015. It was aware of the constraints faced by a small island developing State in the context of the negative impact of climate change and the economic crisis, and recalled that international cooperation was important. Algeria made a recommendation. 34. Ireland welcomed efforts by Solomon Islands to strengthen human rights including the Policy Strategic Framework 2008–2010 and the establishment of the first Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the Pacific. It also welcomed the commitment made during the review to issue a standing invitation to the special procedures and the initiative to consider establishing a national human rights institution. It inquired what initiatives were planned and what might be done by the country to tackle climate change. Ireland also asked 6

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