A/HRC/29/16 65. Spain highlighted positively the adoption of a national policy on domestic violence. It expressed concerns about Guyana’s votes against General Assembly resolutions on a moratorium on the death penalty, about the number of allegations presented against the police of Guyana regarding excessive use of force and about the lack of effective and independent investigation into such allegations. 66. Sweden noted that rape was quite common and that the inclination to report rapes was rather low. It further noted that violence against women was a significant problem, and that indigenous peoples had a lower standard of living than the majority society. 67. Switzerland encouraged Guyana to pursue its efforts to ratify international instruments. It welcomed the commitment made by Guyana to organize national and public consultations on the recommendations from its first UPR. 68. Thailand noted that discrimination based on sexual orientation, as well as violence against women, remained a challenge. It encouraged Guyana to further implement education and awareness-raising programmes to help promote the inclusion and participation of children with disabilities in society. 69. Timor-Leste noted with appreciation the enactment of the Sexual Offences Act, the adoption of the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act and the establishment of the Indigenous Peoples Commission. 70. Trinidad and Tobago highlighted, inter alia, the development of an action plan to combat human trafficking, an increase in awareness campaigns regarding sexual abuse, and the drafting of a sexual and reproductive health policy. 71. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland encouraged Guyana to ratify the Optional Protocol to CEDAW and to establish a formal moratorium on executions with a view to eventually abolishing the death penalty. 72. The United States of America welcomed Guyana’s voluntary commitments to hold national consultations on issues from its first UPR session. It remained deeply concerned by continued and widespread reports of excessive violence by police officers. 73. Uruguay welcomed the country’s adherence to international human rights instruments, and encouraged Guyana to continue to work on the promotion of education for children, addressing the issues of non-attendance at school and transport and nutrition costs, in order to reduce illiteracy. 74. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela noted with appreciation the strategic plan for the reduction of poverty (2011–2015), which targeted the most vulnerable segments of the population. It praised the establishment of the national minimum wage in 2013 and the allocation of 34.5 per cent of the 2014 Annual Budget to education, health, water, housing and social security. 75. Algeria noted that, despite the challenges and difficulties in terms of resources, Guyana has adopted a number of initiatives to implement the recommendations from the first cycle of the UPR. It encouraged Guyana to continue its efforts to combat trafficking in persons. 76. Argentina welcomed the members of the delegation of Guyana and congratulated them for their national report. 77. While noting the efforts to increase the quality of and access to education, Armenia also noted that Guyana had not yet ratified a number of international human rights instruments, and referred to a number of challenges in the promotion of the right to education. 10