A/HRC/32/11 80. Georgia highlighted Palau’s commitment to fully implement its human rights obligations and recognized the efforts made by the Government in signing and ratifying human rights instruments and undertaking legislative reform. It noted with appreciation that Palau had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and had signed several international human rights conventions. It welcomed the steps taken by the Government to improve the health-care system and the establishment of National Health Insurance. 81. Germany thanked the delegation for the national report it submitted to the Working Group. 82. Ghana lauded Palau’s continuous engagement with the universal periodic review mechanism since its first cycle. It noted with appreciation the signing of some core international human rights treaties in 2011, which reflected Palau’s commitment to the promotion and protection of the human rights of its people. 83. Indonesia commended the efforts made to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights through the establishment of the Ombudsman’s Office as well as the signing of the core human rights treaties in 2011 and the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Indonesia also recognized the efforts taken by the Ministry of State and the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs to establish a national human rights institution. 84. Iraq welcomed the delegation of Palau and their role in the preparation of the national report. Iraq expressed its appreciation and congratulated Palau for complying with international human rights instruments. 85. Israel recognized that Palau’s report was the result of extensive consultations, including with the recently created Reporting Committee on United Nations Human Rights Conventions and the working group formed to support the Reporting Committee. It congratulated Palau for the progress achieved since its first review and the significant efforts made by the Government to implement many of the recommendations accepted during the first review. It highlighted a number of measures taken, including the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman, the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the enactment of the Family Protection Act and the reform of the Penal Code. 86. Italy noted the steps taken to promote gender equality and further the protection of women rights, in particular the measures aimed at combating domestic violence and protecting women and children from sexual abuse. It commended the Government for supporting community-awareness programmes that are crucial to avoiding discrimination and fostering integration. 87. Japan commended Palau for conducting human rights-awareness programmes in areas such as gender equality. It welcomed the signature of the core human rights treaties in 2011 and the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2013. Japan also expressed concern at the reports of prisoners being held under appalling conditions due to the deterioration of prisons and lack of space therein. 88. Malaysia noted the efforts made by the Government to conducting awareness-raising programmes on HIV/AIDS prevention, improving the rights of persons with disabilities, combating violence against women and environmental protection. It also noted the measures taken by the Government to protect children, in particular the enactment of the Family Protection Act and the revision of the Penal Code. 89. Maldives commended the progress made by Palau, including the enactment of the Family Protection Act, the Non-Communicable Disease Strategic Plan, the revision of the Penal Code and the efforts made to combat human trafficking and foster gender equality. 13