A/HRC/31/16 33. Brazil noted the establishment of the Special Victims Unit and the adoption of the Domestic Violence Act 2014, pursuant to recommendations it had made at the first review. It encouraged the development of a national gender policy. It recognized efforts to strengthen child protection systems and encouraged the banning of corporal punishment. It noted initiatives to improve education and encouraged additional measures to promote gender equality and inclusive education. It encouraged the country to raise public awareness aimed at promoting non-discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. 34. Canada commended Saint Kitts and Nevis for continued efforts to reduce domestic violence, including through the adoption of the 2014 Domestic Violence Act, which, among other provisions, includes economic relief for victims. It welcomed efforts to expand the protection and rights of children in Saint Kitts and Nevis through the adoption of several pieces of legislation in this area. 35. Chile praised efforts undertaken to make advances in the field of human rights, including the adoption of a number of laws, such as those related to domestic violence and the Law on Justice for Minors. It highlighted the development of the Social Protection Strategy and its Plan of Action, intended to train, empower and guide the most disadvantaged families. It encouraged Saint Kitts and Nevis to pursue such efforts, recognizing its limited resource availability and the need to count on the support of international organizations and the international community. 36. Colombia underscored the commitment of Saint Kitts and Nevis to advance on the recommendation received during its first universal periodic review cycle. 37. Costa Rica highlighted the constitutional provisions that guarantee the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, and the significant efforts on the training of police and nurses and counselling for the empowerment of women. Attention should be given nevertheless to the delays in delivering criminal justice and delays in the presentation of reports to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It highlighted that a national policy on gender equality seemed to be urgent. 38. Cuba stated that, even in a period of economic and financial deceleration, the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis had maintained steady efforts to improve the quality of life of its citizens, strengthening the implementation of social projects and programmes. It underscored the adoption of new legislation on child protection, the building materials incentive programme, the national plan on health care and the increase in social security pensions. 39. The United Kingdom remained concerned at the high levels of reported gang activity and associated problems, including gun crime and murder, and encouraged the Government to continue to provide viable employment opportunities and alternatives for young people. The United Kingdom also encouraged the Government to review criminal justice procedures; ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities; sign the first two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and promote a culture of tolerance and take concrete domestic actions to end all discrimination, including gender-based discrimination and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. 40. Djibouti noted with satisfaction the measures taken to promote and strengthen human rights, in particular the adoption of a strategy for the reduction of poverty. 41. Ecuador expressed appreciation for social development and poverty eradication programmes and the Social Protection Strategy 2013-2017. It highlighted the modification of the definition of “minor” in the Minor Justice Law, following international human rights 7