A/HRC/36/9 87. The delegation emphasized that the United Kingdom ensured that sufficient support remained available to cover the needs of asylum seekers and their children. Fully furnished equipped accommodation with all utilities was provided to asylum seekers and their families who would otherwise be destitute, and all asylum seekers had access to health care and schooling for their children. The delegation pointed out that there was no statutory time limit on detention of asylum seekers in the United Kingdom but that it was not possible to detain them indefinitely, based on the presumption of liberty and the principle that detention was a last resort. 88. The delegation recognized that overseas domestic workers were a potentially vulnerable group, and stated that policies had been adjusted to have a better balance between enabling the workers to escape abuse and enabling them to report abuses so that abusers could be identified. 89. The delegation indicated that the United Kingdom had overseen a major programme of reform of stop and search, in order to ensure that it was fair, effective and transparent. 90. Regarding the minimum age of criminal responsibility, the Government believed that children aged 10 were able to differentiate between right and wrong, and they should be held accountable for their actions, although it noted that prosecution was not always appropriate for youth offending. In Scotland, the minimum age would be raised to 12, with safeguards. 91. Young offenders who were convicted of the most serious crimes could receive a sentence of detention for life, but that did not mean that they would automatically be in custody for life, as the person could be released on licence. 92. The Government continued to consider that its counter-terrorism legislation and measures complied with its international human rights obligations, and terrorism legislation was regularly reviewed by an independent reviewer. 93. The delegation stated that the United Kingdom was committed to improving safety and decreasing violence in prisons and referred to a number of measures taken. 94. On hate crime, the United Kingdom provided a strong legal framework to convict those who did incite hatred, but it also tried to protect freedom of speech. The Government had established two cross-party all-parliamentary groups, one focusing on anti-Semitism and one on anti-Muslim hatred, to help understand the issue better. The Government had recently launched its Hate Crime Action Plan 2016 — a comprehensive plan to which the Government was committed. Measures had also been taken in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 95. The United States of America expressed concern about unsafe and deteriorating prisons and continued reports of societal discrimination against minority groups. 96. Uruguay welcomed advances in combating domestic violence and encouraged the United Kingdom to strengthen efforts to eradicate it. 97. Noting the findings of several United Nations treaty bodies and non-governmental organizations, Uzbekistan made recommendations. 98. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela encouraged the establishment of a human rights national plan of action that included measures to implement United Nations mechanisms’ recommendations. 99. Albania applauded the commitment by the United Kingdom to maintaining its strong global role in relation to human rights. 100. Algeria welcomed the strengthening of the legal framework on contemporary forms of slavery and racism. 101. Andorra encouraged the United Kingdom to pursue its efforts to promote and protect children’s rights. 102. Angola welcomed the strategy to combat domestic violence and the modernization of the prison system. 8