A/HRC/19/17 66. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed the Law against Domestic Violence and encouraged actions to increase public awareness. It noted reports of ill-treatment and excessive use of force by security forces and it encouraged Timor-Leste to strengthen its accountability mechanism. It welcomed Timor-Leste’s progress to improve access to justice but recognized constraints. It encouraged Timor-Leste to strengthen its judicial institutions and to maintain language policies to enable access to justice and education. It made recommendations. 67. Hungary noted with satisfaction that most international human rights treaties had been ratified and it welcomed the accreditation of the Ombudsman with “A” status. Hungary noted that corporal punishment still occurred in schools despite a zero-tolerance policy. It congratulated Timor-Leste on enacting a law prohibiting corporal punishment, but felt that further steps were necessary for its implementation. Hungary referred to a lack of specific cooperation provisions in the implementing law to the Rome Statute. It noted that the destruction of State infrastructures following the 1999 referendum on independence had affected the court system. Hungary made recommendations. 68. The Holy See welcomed Timor-Leste’s efforts to build a country based on the respect of rule of law and the protection human rights. It noted Timor-Leste’s ratification of seven human rights conventions and Optional Protocols which have been incorporated in the national legislation. It noted democratic elections and efforts aiming to improve the health and education systems. It acknowledged the efforts made by the United Nations to achieve peace and stability in Timor-Leste. It made recommendations. 69. New Zealand highlighted the A-status of the national human rights institution, which had received support from New Zealand. It noted that responses to the institution’s findings had been late or non-existent. It observed delays in its reporting obligations under human rights treaties. It stated that traditional justice mechanisms did not provide sufficient protection for women or deterrence for perpetrators of violence against women. It also noted that justice had not always been done for the human rights violations during the period 1974-1999. It made recommendations. 70. Uruguay commended Timor-Leste for the policies and measures adopted to protect human rights and for having acceded to various human rights instruments. Uruguay welcomed Timor-Leste’s acknowledgement of human rights challenges and stressed the importance of the international community’s support. Uruguay was concerned at the persistence of cultural norms and traditions that threatened women’s rights. Uruguay valued Timor-Leste’s measures to promote birth registry, noting that the rate is still low. Uruguay made recommendations. 71. Slovenia commended Timor-Leste for becoming a party to human rights treaties and establishing a national human rights institution. Slovenia was concerned about reports regarding challenges and discrimination faced by persons with disabilities. Slovenia joined the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in its concern regarding the right of education for girls. It was also concerned by discrimination against women and it asked Timor-Leste about actions taken to promote gender equality. Slovenia made recommendations. 72. Costa Rica welcomed Timor-Leste’s willingness to reinforce institutions and programmes in the field of human rights. It recognized Timor-Leste’s progress in promoting human rights, particularly children’s rights, noting it was an area that required concentration of efforts, particularly regarding nutrition, equitable access to health and education, and quality of education. It recognized Timor-Leste’s measures to prevent torture and made recommendations. 73. Spain commended Timor-Leste for the process of institutional reinforcement, for the implementation of norms and policies in the field of human rights as well as the 12