A/HRC/13/12 37. The United States of America welcomed Dominica’s actions outlined in their national report and presentation, to confront the problem of discrimination against people infected with HIV. The United States inquired as to the results, thus far, of efforts to reduce the level of discrimination against persons with HIV and how Dominica will sustain or expand these efforts. The United States made recommendations. 38. Algeria welcomed Dominica’s efforts to promote the right to education, particularly for poor children. Algeria noted the establishment of specific programs, the allocation of funds and the free distribution of textbooks to help poor children, which shows a determination to give full effect to the right to education. Algeria was aware of the climatic and economic difficulties which affect efforts to ensure the full and effective implementation of economic, social and cultural rights. Algeria finally recalled that environmental, social and economic vulnerability have made Dominica among the poorest countries within the Eastern Caribbean. Algeria made several recommendations. 39. Venezuela noted the efforts underway to promote and protect human rights, particularly the indigenous populations, which is the largest in the Eastern Caribbean. Venezuela referred to the ratifications by Dominica of Conventions 169 on Indigenous and Tribal People and its support of Declarations about Indigenous People rights, enshrined in its Constitution. 40. Belarus welcomed the efforts of Dominica as a State party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and requested information as to the steps taken to protect children as envisaged by Dominica and seen as priorities for the near future. Belarus asked how severe the problem of trafficking in persons was in Dominica. It expressed the view that Dominica could make more progress in combating contemporary forms of slavery by acceding to the major international instruments on trafficking. Belarus made recommendations. 41. Turkey welcomed the efforts undertaken by the Dominican authorities to address human rights issues. It praised the national policy and action plan for gender equality adopted in June 2006 as well as the law of 2001 on protection against domestic violence, which contains specific provisions covering various forms of violence against children. Turkey was aware that challenges and problems in Dominica remain. It requested more information on the national action plan designed to coordinate public and private sector activity in highlighting the needs of children. Turkey indicated that it was convinced that Dominica will continue to address its commitments to promote and protect human rights. 42. Maldives stated that it understood the severe technical and financial capacity constraints faced by Dominica and the knock-on effects this has on the promotion and protection of human rights. It also stated that improved reporting under those conventions for which Dominica is a party, the ratification of core treaties, selective engagement with Special Procedures, and the establishment of national human rights institutions, are essential building blocks for progress in human rights. Maldives made a recommendation. 43. France expressed concern that the incidence of domestic violence in Dominica remains worrying, with over 20 per cent of women having allegedly been victims of illtreatment by their spouses. France recalled that perpetrators of marital rape cannot be prosecuted until the spouses have been legally separated and that police response in such cases is not fully satisfactory either. France asked what measures were being envisaged by the authorities to remedy to this situation. It also recalled that Dominica has not submitted any periodic reports to the Human Rights Committee, to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. France noted that only one report, to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, has been submitted in 2001. It wanted to know the difficulties which have prevented Dominica from reporting to the treaty bodies in keeping with its obligations. Finally, France raised concerns about discrimination against the indigenous Caribbean minority and asked 8