A/HRC/17/12 to stereotypes affecting women and their promotion to senior positions despite their level of education. Ghana made a recommendation. 57. Barbados recognized that Saint Kitts and Nevis had yet to sign the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and urged the Government to do so. Barbados acknowledged that the reporting obligations to treaty bodies were challenging and called upon OHCHR to help in this regard. It noted that providing security and maintaining law and order in a small island developing State with a porous border presented a unique dilemma and called for greater international cooperation in addressing the illicit proliferation of small arms. Barbados made a recommendation. 58. China noted the efforts undertaken by Saint Kitts and Nevis to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in the fields of education and health and efforts to improve the situation of women, elderly and persons with disabilities. China noted the challenges faced by the country in stepping up social and economic development and protecting human rights. China called upon the international community to provide assistance to Saint Kitts and Nevis. 59. Guatemala noted the need of Saint Kitts and Nevis for technical assistance for accession and ratification of international human rights instruments. It acknowledged the efforts of the Government to improve social and human development indicators. It encouraged Saint Kitts and Nevis to raise the status of the Office of the Ombudsman in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (Paris Principles). It shared concerns raised by the Committee on the Rights of the Child regarding corporal punishment and many other acts of violence and abuse of children. Guatemala made a recommendation. 60. Botswana commended Saint Kitts and Nevis for the positive measures adopted in the field of human rights, including the establishment of the Human Rights Desk in the area of HIV/AIDS. Although that body faced difficulties in realizing its mandate, Botswana noted that its relocation to the Legal Aid Clinic might address this issue. Botswana recognized other positive measures, including the establishment of the Ombudsman’s Office and expressed its hope that the international community would provide its support. Botswana made a recommendation. 61. Trinidad and Tobago supported Saint Kitts and Nevis’ call for assistance in the drafting of relevant appropriate legislation to implement international human rights obligations. It noted that key strides had been made in the provision of universal education from primary to secondary levels, the development of the National Health Plan 2008-2012 and the establishment of the Human Rights Desk. It noted the 2000 Domestic Violence Act, the 1999 Social Development Assistance Act and the development of the Draft Policy on the Care of Older Persons. It made recommendations. 62. Costa Rica welcomed the establishment of the Ombudsman’s Office. Costa Rica noted that the effectiveness of the Office would depend on its independence, and urged Saint Kitts and Nevis to adopt the necessary measures to ensure that the Office complied with the Paris Principles. It welcomed the adoption of the Education Act, which included human rights. Costa Rica made recommendations. 63. Jamaica noted the sustainable development challenges faced by Saint Kitts and Nevis. Jamaica welcomed the achievement of Millennium Development Goals Plus in education, offering universal education from pre-primary to the secondary level, and that virtually all essential services at the primary health-care level were offered free of charge. It noted the obstacles related to the timely submission of reports to treaty bodies, and in drafting and enacting legislation to comply with those treaties to which the country is a party. Jamaica made recommendations. 11