A/HRC/33/5 serious crimes committed in the country and, even then, was rarely carried out. It was nonetheless a valid component of the country’s body of laws, as enshrined in the Penal Code and upheld in the Constitution. The delegation also noted that the common law had shaped the current state of the death penalty in the country. The Privy Council had said that if someone was awaiting the death penalty for more than five years, their sentence must be commuted to life imprisonment. It was almost impossible to complete all appeals to the highest courts, including international bodies, within five years. As such, persons sentenced to death were essentially, in practical terms, being given life sentences. Additionally, the Court of Appeal in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the final Court of Appeal, affirmed that the death penalty could only be invoked in cases that could be described as the worst of the worst. The delegation also noted that, since 1993, no one had been put to death. 47. Regarding comments made on the amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court on the crime of aggression and delays in meeting reporting obligations, the delegation noted that, unfortunately, capacity was a major issue for a small country. Recognizing the dire need to increase its legislative output, the Government had recently funded two students to complete legislative drafting training at the masters level. It was hoped that the increased capacity would help Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in ratifying international agreements with greater speed. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had nonetheless ensured that the human rights commitments contained in the various international treaties were implemented in a practical way. 48. With regard to corporal punishment, the delegation referred to information contained in paragraph 38 of its national report. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had taken steps to reduce the rigidity by which corporal punishment was administered in the school system through the revised Education Act of 2009, whereby only a principal or head teacher could administer punishment to a student. An amendment was also proposed in the drafted Child Justice Bill, which addressed alternative forms of punishment and rewards using restorative practices and diversion for juveniles in conflict with the law. 49. Indonesia welcomed progress made since the first review. It noted that, despite the financial challenges, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines continued to take measures to advance social security, education and health-care standards. 50. Italy commended Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for its commitment to protecting the rights of women and children, including the adoption of the Children Care and Adoption Act and the Domestic Violence Act. 51. Jamaica asked about the delegation’s views on a concern raised by the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights that textbooks developed at the Caribbean level, continued to have a “European perspective” and did not sufficiently reflect the specific history of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 52. Malaysia noted the commitment of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to improve the human rights situation, and the constraints and challenges that the country had been facing. 53. Maldives welcomed the country’s efforts to implement the recommendations from the first review, despite challenges as a small island developing State. It urged the country to continue seeking technical support from the United Nations and the international community. 54. Mexico welcomed the adoption of the Domestic Violence Act and a plan of action to end gender-based violence. It further welcomed efforts to mainstream gender in various areas and the establishment of a national committee for the protection of children. 8 GE.16-11831