A/HRC/17/12 26. Cuba highlighted that, in Saint Kitts and Nevis, all essential primary health-care services were available free of charge. Cuba also acknowledged the protection of persons affected with HIV/AIDS. Regarding persons with disabilities, Cuba noted that the Government had implemented mechanisms to meet their needs, as evidenced through the existence of special education units across the country providing educational services at all levels for children with developmental difficulties. Cuba made recommendations. 27. Turkey welcomed the ratification of Saint Kitts and Nevis of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, CEDAW and CRC. Turkey praised the efforts of Saint Kitts and Nevis to further accede to international human rights treaties. It was pleased to note that Saint Kitts and Nevis enacted important national legislation to fulfil its international human rights obligations. In this regard, Turkey commended the enactment of the 2005 Education Act. Turkey made recommendations. 28. Morocco welcomed Saint Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to promote social, economic and social rights based on social and human development. Morocco also noted the various existing programmes for the protection of people infected by HIV/AIDS, including the establishment of the Human Rights Desk in 2007. Morocco noted the limited resources of Saint Kitts and Nevis, in particular for the ratification of new instruments and their incorporation in national law, and stated that it was prepared to provide its assistance in this regard. Morocco made a recommendation. 29. The United Kingdom acknowledged challenges faced by small island developing States in implementing human rights obligations and noted the request for assistance in drafting new national legislation towards that end. While welcoming measures towards supporting youth, the United Kingdom remained concerned at the high levels of reported gang activity and encouraged the Government to continue its outreach programmes and to provide viable employment opportunities and alternatives. The United Kingdom called on the Government to abolish the death penalty and expressed concerns at the execution carried out in 2008. It also encouraged the Government to consider signing the two Optional Protocols to CRC. The United Kingdom asked what actions the Government planned to take to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. It made recommendations. 30. Spain noted with satisfaction measures taken by Saint Kitts and Nevis in the education and health areas, notably through the White Paper on Education Development and Policy 2009-2019 and the National Health Plan 2008-2010. Spain expressed concern at the maintenance of the death penalty. Spain made recommendations. 31. The United States of America noted the establishment of a Human Rights Desk to respond to human rights abuses against persons living with HIV/AIDS. It noted that the adoption of the Domestic Violence Act was a positive development but that violence against women still remained a seriously underreported problem. Many women were reluctant to file complaints or pursue them in courts. The United States also remained concerned about the continued criminalization of homosexual conduct and societal discrimination against LGBT persons. It made recommendations. 32. Slovakia acknowledged various challenges faced by Saint Kitts and Nevis and positively noted efforts in the area of primary health care. Slovakia expressed concerns at the end of the 10-year de facto moratorium on the death penalty and the very low minimum age of criminal responsibility. Slovakia made reference to the need to expand the diversion of youth from the court and custodial systems. Slovakia inquired about measures taken to better protect children from pornography and child prostitution. Slovakia made recommendations. 33. Germany noted that the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean reported that, in 1999, the Committee on the Rights of the Child had expressed deep 7

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