A/HRC/18/5 Criminal Code continued to criminalize sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex and provided for sentences of up to 10 years in prison. France made recommendations. 29. Thailand was encouraged by Palau’s progress in meeting several MDGs related to education, social equality, reduction of infant mortality and the fight against HIV/AIDS. Thailand shared the concerns expressed about child abuse, including the absence of adequate labour laws protecting children from economic exploitation. Thailand hoped to see the strengthening of cooperation between Palau and regional and international agencies, particularly to reinforce Palau’s human rights institutions and its implementation and ratification of key human rights conventions. Thailand urged the Human Rights Council, OHCHR and other relevant agencies to provide greater assistance to Palau in facing the increasing threats from climate change and environmental degradation. Thailand expressed its willingness to cooperate with Palau in areas of mutual interest and made recommendations. 30. Cuba noted the challenges faced by Palau with regard to poverty, climate change and food security, which threatened the security and survival of its population. Cuba also mentioned Palau’s commitment with respect to ensuring free and compulsory education, improving food security and moving towards the fulfilment of the MDGs. Cuba highlighted Palau’s National Development Plan and the reduction of illiteracy and child mortality. Cuba underscored the inclusion in the Constitution of a warning regarding the danger of nuclear weapons. Cuba made recommendations. 31. Poland expressed its awareness of the challenges faced by Palau given the adverse effects of limited resources and threats posed by climate change. Poland encouraged Palau to continue its efforts aimed at strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights. Poland expressed concern about reports of the increasing number of children living and working in the street and the lack of awareness about domestic violence, ill-treatment and sexual abuse of children. Poland made recommendations. 32. Slovenia encouraged Palau to implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and other international instruments. Slovenia asked about Palau’s intention to undertake concrete steps to translate into an indigenous language the international human rights instruments. It also asked whether Palau was developing a strategy on human rights education. 33. Mexico recognized Palau’s efforts to reduce child mortality and to prevent and eradicate trafficking in persons. Mexico asked Palau to provide more details on the technical assistance requested to ensure the effective implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and to ratify other human rights instruments. Mexico also asked about the obstacles faced by the Palauan Legislative Power to ratify CEDAW. Mexico made recommendations. 34. The United States of America commended Palau for its strong democracy, observance of human rights and support for women’s rights. It expressed concern at the absence of explicit laws against domestic violence or legal protection for abused children and women. It also noted that Palau’s laws do not provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status and that there was no established system for providing protection to refugees. The United States encouraged Palau to make proactive efforts to identify trafficking victims and prosecute offenders. The United States made recommendations 35. Australia congratulated Palau on drafting a national policy and guidelines for protecting the rights of people with disabilities and for endorsing the Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability. It encouraged the anchoring of such protections in 7