A/HRC/31/10 Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It welcomed the efforts of the Government to ensure the full realization of the right to drinking water and the measures adopted on gender equality. It welcomed the promotion of male participation in child care, the efforts to improve access to education and the provision of free obstetric and maternal and child health services. Uruguay made recommendations. 44. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela considered that the participation of Saint Lucia in the universal periodic review was a clear demonstration of its commitment to human rights and appreciated the efforts to implement the recommendations accepted during the first review. Saint Lucia had implemented major legislative and administrative measures that had strengthened its framework for protecting human rights, including the accession to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, and the subsequent enactment of the law against trafficking. Despite the impact of the economic crisis, Saint Lucia had undertaken initiatives to reduce poverty, such as the programme providing medical aid and care to more than 2,400 poor households. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela made recommendations. 45. Algeria appreciated efforts made to improve the economic situation in Saint Lucia, in spite of the consequences of the economic crisis, and to improve social security. It called upon the international community to provide the technical and capacity-building assistance necessary to enable Saint Lucia to take up the challenges related to human rights promotion and protection. Algeria made recommendations. 46. Argentina congratulated Saint Lucia for the 2013 campaign promoting universal and free birth registration. Argentina noted with concern the persistence of sexual abuse of children, despite the measures taken by the authorities. Argentina made recommendations. 47. Armenia appreciated the steps taken to promote women’s rights and combat trafficking in persons, as well as the signature and ratification of a number of human rights instruments since the first review of Saint Lucia. Armenia noted that a number of core international human rights instruments and treaties still remained to be ratified. Armenia also noted that, despite some progress in promoting the rights of the child, there were many cases of child abuse and neglect in the country. Armenia made recommendations. 48. Australia commended Saint Lucia for signing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and acknowledged the positive steps taken to reduce poverty and foster economic growth. Australia remained concerned at ongoing sexual and gender-based violence in Saint Lucia, including against minors. It asked about the steps taken to address discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity since the previous periodic review. Australia called on Saint Lucia to promote equality and nondiscrimination. While noting that the death penalty had reportedly not been imposed in Saint Lucia since 1995, Australia expressed concern that the penalty still existed in legislation. Australia made recommendations. 49. Bahamas was pleased to note that, despite the challenges faced by Saint Lucia, significant strides had been made to ensure that the basic human rights of Saint Lucians were protected. Bahamas welcomed the numerous national policies, programmes, plans and initiatives undertaken and envisaged in such critical areas as housing, food security, social protection, education and health. Bahamas noted the positive trajectory on women’s empowerment, particularly with respect to the participation of women in politics. Bahamas expressed appreciation for the steps taken by Saint Lucia to establish partnerships, both on a bilateral basis and with various United Nations funds, programmes and specialized agencies, to support government efforts to promote and protect human rights. Bahamas made a recommendation. 50. Barbados noted the severe constraints placed on small States to meet their obligations under the human rights instruments, notwithstanding the paucity of financial, 8