A/HRC/32/11 Maldives welcomed the adoption of policies on climate change and sustainable economic development through renewable energy applications and encouraged the Government to reach out to its partners and seek support for the implementation of the recommendations made during the present review. Maldives thanked Palau for its efforts to raise the voice of small island developing States. 90. Mexico welcomed the ratification of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the development of the national disability policy and the adoption of the Family Protection Act. It urged Palau to adopt a specific law to protect the rights of children. Mexico acknowledged the increase in the participation of women in high-level government posts and urged Palau to continue promoting the involvement of women in public life. It noted with satisfaction the amendments to the Penal Code to decriminalize consensual sexual relations between same-sex adults. Mexico also welcomed the National Disaster Risk Management Framework. 91. The delegation thanked Estonia and Fiji for their comments regarding spousal rape and stated that marital rape was now a crime in Palau and sexual abuse in the first degree was a felony. It stated that the definition of sexual penetration had been expanded and there was “no-drop policy” in place so that although there might be reconciliation under customary practice, cases were still moved forward and perpetrators were prosecuted. 92. The delegation indicated that there were anti-smuggling and anti-trafficking penal laws in Palau and that they were enforced. 93. The delegation stated that the Open Government Act was adopted in 2014 with a view to making government actions transparent and accountable, allowing people to see government records and to sit in government proceedings and allowing people to participate in government hearings and meetings. 94. Palau thanked Japan for its concerns and stated that the conditions in jails had considerably improved for inmates. 95. The delegation stated that Palau has considered the value of ratifying the core human rights treaties, however, it needed more time and it continued to seek international assistance in this matter. 96. About Ghana’s recommendation, the delegation stated that education in Palau was inclusive for all children. Regarding health insurance, it indicated that legislation existed for those who had not been in the programme but were now in the health-care system. The delegation thanked Maldives for their support in recommending that Palau develop a disability policy for the period 2015 to 2020 and welcomed its recommendation. 97. The delegation stated that it continued to learn from best practices and strived to shape and develop its policies, while also trying to keep abreast with international standards. It was no surprise that a small country with limited resources faced challenges in ensuring that human rights were afforded to every single person, however, it was also making some mighty strides and was proud to have shared an open and honest report with the international community. 98. With the financial and technical support from our international partners, Palau would continue to analyse its laws through legislative compliance reviews and make further amendments to its legislation in order to ensure human rights are enjoyed by every person in the country. 99. The delegation stated that the Government would continue to educate the public on human rights and raise awareness in the community so that the “duty bearers” understand their rights and responsibilities towards rights holders. 14