A/HRC/31/16 66. South Africa was encouraged by the commitment demonstrated by Saint Kitts and Nevis to improve the quality of life of all citizens through the strengthening of the delivery of social programmes and projects focused towards family wellness, gender mainstreaming and the promotion of child rights. The Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis entitled every persons to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms without discrimination on the basis of race, place of origin, birth, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to the respect of other people’s rights and freedoms and the public interest. 67. Spain highlighted the challenge that had derived from the realization of reforms in a context of economic difficulties and fiscal adjustments. 68. Switzerland took note of the commitment of Saint Kitts and Nevis to ratify and respect additional international human rights instruments. Nevertheless, Switzerland remained concerned by the lack of implementation of the recommendations received by Saint Kitts and Nevis during its first review. 69. Timor-Leste noted with appreciation the adoption of the national poverty-reduction strategy, which outlined key development pillars, such as reducing risk and enhancing social protection; enhancing technical and vocational education; and strengthening social safety nets. Timor-Leste appreciated the commitment made in passing a law on the maintenance of the Children Act, and progress in the area of health, in particular the raising of life expectancy, and lowering of infant and maternal mortality rates. Timor-Leste echoed concerns on fair representation of women in top political positions. 70. Trinidad and Tobago acknowledged fiscal constraints and lack of technical and human resources. Since its first universal periodic review in 2011, Saint Kitts and Nevis had accepted the recommendation of Trinidad and Tobago to develop a closer policy focus on the special needs and care of persons with disabilities. In that regard, Trinidad and Tobago was pleased to see that the Government had begun consultations and engagement of persons with disabilities and commended the Government for adopting the 2013-2017 Social Protection Strategy. 71. Denmark noted that, during the first review, Saint Kitts and Nevis had noted the recommendation to ratify the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Denmark held strong hope that Saint Kitts and Nevis would join the 158 State parties to the Convention. It welcomed the engagement of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the seminar in Costa Rica organized by the Convention against Torture Initiative, and hoped that this could be useful to Saint Kitts and Nevis in advancing on the issue. 72. The United States of America commended Saint Kitts and Nevis for its efforts in combatting HIV/AIDS, expanding health programming in that area and the work done by the Department of Gender Affairs. It encouraged the Government to ensure that women could safely and reasonably file complaints or pursue them in courts. It expressed concern about the continued criminalization of same-sex sexual conduct between consenting adults, exacerbating societal discrimination. It remained concerned about poor prison conditions, lengthy detention times before trials and the high homicide rate. 73. Uruguay underscored efforts to sign and implement the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women, the InterAmerican Convention on the Granting of Civil Rights to Women and the Inter-American Convention on the Granting of Political Rights to Women. It encouraged Saint Kitts and Nevis to redouble its efforts regarding gender equality, particularly through the adoption of a national gender policy. 74. Algeria welcomed the social programmes of Saint Kitts and Nevis with a view to ensuring family wellness, gender equality, full and active participation in national 11