A/HRC/17/12 Government to continue to prioritize those issues and to take all necessary steps to ensure that those sectors were improved. It made recommendations. 49. Uruguay noted Saint Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to renew its efforts to participate in the human rights protection system. Uruguay took note of the institutional, legislative and programmatic efforts to reduce domestic violence, which continues to severely affect women and girls. Uruguay congratulated Saint Kitts ands Nevis for its support of OAS resolutions on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity. Uruguay made recommendations. 50. Concerning the period between detention and trial, the delegation provided information on the legislation that would convert the existing procedure from an oral process to a paper one in order to shorten the pretrial detention period. 51. As for human trafficking, the delegation reported that Saint Kitts and Nevis had passed the Trafficking in Persons Act, which criminalized trafficking in human beings with special provisions set out for children. The Electronic Crimes Act was passed in 2009, which addressed the electronic media being used to perpetrate crimes. The Department of Probation and Child Protection Services, with assistance from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), was working to develop a child protection protocol. The protocol was expected to address trafficking, especially in so far as children were concerned. 52. In relation to the question about increased mobilization of women in politics, the delegation stated that, in paragraph 52 of the national report, Saint Kitts and Nevis had indicated that over 100 women and young persons from various political parties and nonaffiliated women had been trained in areas such as community mobilization, international instruments for the advancement of women, the Constitution, protocol and grooming for public life. This training was an ongoing process. 53. As for an invitation to special procedures and the establishment of a national human rights institution, the delegation would take the issue back to the capital and seek guidance from the Government. Addressing an invitation to the special procedures might not be difficult, however, it might have financial implications. 54. As to gang crimes and drug trafficking, Saint Kitts and Nevis had undertaken a number of initiatives. There was an increase of 7.2 per cent in the budget allocation for the Ministry of National Security, Immigration and Labour, which handled crime issues. Saint Kitts and Nevis had also passed an amendment to the Firearms Act, which provided that, if an individual was found in possession of more than one illegal firearm, that would automatically raise the presumption of trafficking. 55. Australia commended the Government for its stance against anti-personnel landmines and its full support to the Ottawa process. Australia remained concerned that Saint Kitts and Nevis retained the death penalty. It noted that at least half a dozen people remained on death row and that death sentences continued to be imposed as recently as December 2008. Australia commended the commitment to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities, and encouraged the Government to continue with its initiatives in the education area. Australia made recommendations. 56. Ghana commended Saint Kitts and Nevis for being party to the core international human rights instruments and for its human rights educational campaigns. Ghana noted the challenges faced by Saint Kitts and Nevis in implementing human rights obligations, notably in submitting reports to treaty bodies, and supported its call for international technical assistance. Ghana noted efforts undertaken in the area of education and that the country was Millennium Development Goal Plus in education. Ghana echoed concerns expressed by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women related 10