A/HRC/33/5 8. Since the previous review, it had progressively sought to advance human rights by strengthening its national institutional and legislative legal framework. 9. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had adopted its present Constitution on the basis of the British one, at the time of its independence. Under the Constitution the protection of the right to life, personal liberty and freedom of conscience, expression, association and movement were guaranteed. Protection was provided from slavery, torture, inhuman treatment, deprivation of property, arbitrary search or entry, and discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed and the protection of the law secured, including the right to a fair hearing and presumption of innocence. 10. In 2009, the Government, in collaboration with stakeholders locally and within the diaspora, had unsuccessfully attempted constitutional reform via a referendum. The proposed reforms included the creation of a human rights commission and an ombudsman, as well as numerous innovations in governance and human rights. Outside of its consideration in the context of constitutional reform, there had not been any national consultations on the topic of the establishment of a national human rights institution. 11. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had ratified several key international human rights treaties since the previous review. During the thirty-first session of the Human Rights Council, the delegation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had outlined the country’s intention of establishing a national mechanism for reporting and follow-up. The delegation was pleased to report that Cabinet was considering the proposal, which should be passed very soon. The mechanism would review and expedite compliance with outstanding treaty obligations. Additionally, the delegation reiterated the sentiments expressed by other States of the Caribbean Community to the Council for an accompanying offer of additional technical and capacity-building support in that regard. 12. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines indicated that, as a sovereign State, it must protect the most vulnerable and needy among its population within its existing and available resources. As outlined in its national report, several pieces of forward-thinking legislation and policy measures had been introduced. Similarly, within subregional groups such as the Caribbean Community and the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States, there was the added responsibility of attempting to harmonize laws to allow for better regional integration and cooperation. Nevertheless, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had prioritized the enactment of three new pieces of legislation, namely the 2015 Domestic Violence Act, the 2010 Child Care and Adoption Act and the 2011 Status of Children Act aimed at strengthening the domestic legal human rights framework. 13. By ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and complying with the Beijing Platform for Action, the Governments comprising the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States had again committed to their quest to eradicate violence against women. The Domestic Violence Act, which had been passed by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in May 2015, was a manifestation thereof. 14. On 19 April 2016, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had launched its National Child Protection Policy Framework in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The Government had also established a division strictly for the protection and rehabilitation of children. Similarly, efforts were being made to complete minor amendments to and harmonization of existing legislation. The establishment of the National Committee on the Rights of the Child to regulate the State’s national machinery on the protection of children nationally had also recently been approved. As outlined in its national report, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had implemented a series of measures to monitor and oversee the welfare of juvenile offenders. The legislation and policy framework for child justice would be tabled for consideration by the Parliament soon and would seek to provide ample diversion and detention modalities using restorative practices. 4 GE.16-11831