A/HRC/10/73 Page 9 smooth holding of elections. Based on a recommendation of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, France asked if the Government adopted necessary steps to ensure non-discrimination based on gender in its Constitution and legislation. The Committee was also concerned by the inferior status of women in society and the stereotypes that victimize them. France thanked the Minister for the information on the activities of the Bureau of Gender Affairs and recommended providing this institution with sufficient human and financial resources to enable it to contribute efficiently to the promotion and protection of women’s rights. On the trafficking of human beings as a relatively new phenomenon in Barbados, France asked if the Bureau has sufficient means to effectively combat this. It stated that Barbadian legislation criminalizes consenting relations between adults of the same sex and provides for the offences of indecent assault and serious indecency, defining these offences vaguely. France recommended that the Government bring these criminal laws into line with international norms with respect to privacy and non-discrimination. France further noted that detention conditions are bad, notably because of overcrowded prisons and reported cases of ill treatment in the past, and asked if the Government has taken steps to ensure that prisoners and prison staff have a safer environment. France recommended that Barbados sign and ratify the Convention against Torture and the additional protocol thereto, and the Convention for the Protection of all Persons against Enforced Disappearance. 37. China noted the positive progress made in improving human rights institutions, legislation and encouraging civil society participation and the priorities set for the prevention of AIDS and crime, combating domestic violence, the protection of multiculturalism and the protection of labour and migrant rights as well as good governance. China inquired about the new challenges the Government faces in promoting the protection of social rights and whether it has conducted technical cooperation with ILO and other international organizations. China also noted the Government’s plan to establish councils in constituencies to increase political participation. 38. Brazil noted with concern the allegations in relation to the psychological and physical effects of domestic violence on children. It also noted the reported lack of support systems at the administrative level for women and the issue of collection of child maintenance. It recommended that the Government work towards taking the necessary possible measures. Brazil positively acknowledged actions taken by the Government in relation to prison facilities, the well-being of children and community technology programme. Brazil requested more information on the functioning of the Policy Complaints Authority. It suggested the creation of an independent national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles and the establishment of a moratorium on death penalty. Brazil asked what practical measures are being taken to guarantee the submission of reports and responses to letters of allegations in the context of cooperation with human rights mechanisms. 39. Algeria congratulated the Government on achieving Millennium Development Goal Plus in the area of economic, cultural and social rights as it has introduced compulsory education for all children up to the age of 16. Algeria supported the recommendation made by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 2005 and recommended that Barbados take appropriate measures to develop its internal domestic legislation so as to guarantee the exercise of economic, social and cultural rights for all. Algeria noted that Barbados is a party to the majority of international human rights conventions, except for the Convention against Torture and the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Algeria recommended that the Government consider the possibility of acceding to these two conventions. Paragraph 36 of the national report and paragraph 3 of the OHCHR