A/HRC/18/5 50. Costa Rica noted Palau’s call for technical assistance. Costa Rica congratulated Palau on its efforts to create a national human rights institution. Costa Rica acknowledged the challenges faced by Palau, specifically the effects of climate change in the situation of human rights, the trafficking in persons and the rights of the child. Costa Rica asked about the measures taken by Palau to face climate change and how this situation could impact on persons becoming refugees and internal displaced persons as a result of this phenomenon. Costa Rica made recommendations. 51. Turkey welcomed the transparent election process in Palau, which was conducted in accordance with democratic principles. Turkey applauded Palau’s independent and functioning judiciary and its guaranteeing of free and compulsory education to all its citizens. While expressing appreciation for Palau’s accession to the CRC, Turkey believed that progress in protecting women’s rights would be achieved after acceding to CEDAW. It expected Palau to implement its national plan of action for children. Turkey made a recommendation. 52. New Zealand noted that legal reform for addressing domestic violence had been discussed for nearly two decades. While commending Palau for the progress made in improving children’s health nutrition access to education and for its commitment to reducing maternal mortality rate, New Zealand noted that improvements to legal protection were needed in other areas. New Zealand observed that foreign workers were not covered under the minimum wage law and referred to reports of mistreatment of foreign workers. It was encouraged by the recent adoption of a comprehensive policy on discrimination against persons with disabilities. It made recommendations. 53. The Philippines noted Palau’s attention to combating human trafficking and acknowledged the progressive measures to promote human rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. It supported the need to increase the international assistance to Palau to address the damaging effects of climate change on human rights. The Philippines asked how Palau would like to see the Human Rights Council taking action on climate change and its impacts on human rights. Philippines made recommendations. 54. Palau thanked all delegations for the recommendations addressed to it. Palau indicated that it intended to engage in wide consultations with civil society on mapping out strategies for the dissemination and implementation of UPR recommendations. Palau intended to seek technical assistance from civil society and non-governmental organizations in implementing specific recommendations. 55. Regarding laws which discriminate against women, Palau clarified that these provisions are not in the Constitution but in legislative statutes and that there were initiatives towards amending these laws, such as the Palau Protection Act of 2010 which criminalize rape irrespective of the marital status of the victim. Additionally, there is another draft bill which, if approved, would allow women to have inheritance rights on an equal basis. 56. Two proposed bills, the Domestic Violence Family Act and the Victims Assistance Act, addressed issues such as domestic violence and sexual abuse; they provide for shelters for victims of violence and child abuse. Palau explained that there were in place other governmental mechanisms to assist victims of violence and sexual abuse, like the Victims of Crimes Assistance Office, within the Ministry of Health, which provides assistance and protection to children victims of physical or sexual abuse. The medical profession is also required to report any alleged child abuse. The Micronesian Legal Services Corporation provides legal assistance to low-income families in cases of victims of physical or sexual abuse. 10