A/HRC/18/18 contributions made during the UPR to facilitate its National Strategic Plan – Papua New Guinea Vision 2050. It made a recommendation. 26. Algeria noted that Papua New Guinea was a young country, emerging from the long and complex night of colonialism and, like Algeria, had the moral duty to be constantly engaged in decolonization. It noted that despite the country’s natural resource wealth, guaranteeing economic and social rights continued to be a challenge, notably the rights to food, to health, to housing and to access to drinking water and sanitation. It made recommendations. 27. Slovenia welcomed the adoption of the equality and participation bill, the Sexual Offences and Crimes against Children Act, and the launch of the National Policy on Disability. It was concerned at the persistence of domestic violence and gender discrimination, and at reports of abuse of power by the police. Slovenia regretted delays in ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities and that education was neither free nor compulsory. Slovenia made recommendations. 28. The Czech Republic noted with concern that only a small percentage of the population was registered at birth, which might negatively impact on the legal status of women. It was also concerned at the torture and systematic beatings of detainees upon arrest, or within the first hours of detention, and at the fact that those who attempted to escape from prisons were often tortured and disabled upon recapture. It made recommendations. 29. Malaysia commended Papua New Guinea for its commitment to socio-economic development, as demonstrated by its Vision 2050 plan. It shared the view that progress in poverty eradication, infrastructure development, economic growth and human resource development contributed to the fulfilment of human rights. It noted challenges regarding unemployment, violence against women and girls, HIV/AIDS, the administration of justice and the rule of law. It made recommendations. 30. Slovakia welcomed the inclusion of new offences, such as marital rape, in the Criminal Code. It acknowledged the challenges faced by Papua New Guinea due to environmental threats resulting from climate change and natural disasters. It noted that, in 2010, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women had called on Papua New Guinea to strengthen its efforts to provide a discrimination- and violence-free educational environment. Slovakia made recommendations. 31. Brazil regretted that the national report of Papua New Guinea had been submitted late and asked that information be provided about the difficulties encountered in its preparation. It commended the revision of criminal legislation on rape and greater protection for women. It noted a need for further efforts to combat the abuse and discrimination of women. It recognized the country’s initiatives towards a national education policy and expressed concern over violence against children and child prostitution. It made recommendations. 32. Germany asked how the Government ensured the application of the 2003 law to protect persons affected by HIV/AIDS from discrimination. It noted that the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture had indicated that police beatings often reached the level of torture as defined in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT). Germany also noted that the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women had expressed concern at reports of brutal torture and killings of women and girls, especially elderly women, accused of witchcraft. Germany made recommendations. 33. Thailand welcomed the steps taken towards the establishment of a national human rights institution, noting that once established, the institution could join the Asia Pacific 6