A/HRC/16/2 1. Views expressed by the State under review on the recommendations and/or conclusions, on its voluntary commitments and on the outcome 587. The delegation of the Marshall Islands thanked OHCHR, the Human Rights Council and the Working Group for assisting the Marshall Islands in the universal periodic review process and provided an abbreviated summary of its responses to all the 38 recommendations it received during the interactive dialogue. 588. The Marshall Islands accepted recommendations 56.1 to 56.8 relating to ratification of or accession to the main international human rights treaties and the relevant optional protocols, and abiding by the principles therein. The delegation stressed that the Marshall Islands was in serious need of technical and financial assistance in order to properly implement the treaties and to continue its efforts regarding those to which it is not a party. As a positive example of where such assistance produced results, the delegation indicated that the Marshall Islands was currently in the process of acceding to the United Nations Convention against Corruption. 589. Regarding recommendations 56.9 to 56.12, on the establishment of a national human rights institution, the Marshall Islands could not at this time consider these recommendations owing to its limited national resources. The Women’s Office under the Ministry of Internal Affairs should be strengthened before a national human rights institution could be considered. 590. The Marshall Islands accepted recommendations 56.22 to 56.27, to further review its laws and policies to ensure conformity with international human rights standards. The delegation stated that the Resource Development Committee would work with appropriate bodies in ensuring development of the laws. The delegation invited the international community to provide it with technical and financial assistance to allow it to adhere to the international human rights standards and the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 591. The Marshall Islands accepted recommendations 56.13 and 56.14, and mentioned the positive efforts made with the support of UNICEF and non-governmental organization partners to address children’s and women’s rights. 592. With regard to recommendations 56.15 to 56.19 and 56.25, on women’s rights and domestic violence, the Marshall Islands expressed its commitment to address domestic violence and other issues affecting women. Positive efforts had been made to raise awareness and a bill was currently pending in the national Parliament. Some progress had been made regarding the education of women and economic opportunities. The delegation stressed that more work was needed to address the serious imbalance in female participation in the Parliament. It added that any related constitutional action should continue to ensure the democratic principles of free elections. 593. The Marshall Islands accepted recommendations 56.20, 56.21, 56.22, 56.33 and 56.34, and remained committed to properly implement children’s rights and improve the situation of children at the national level. The delegation highlighted the establishment of a child rights office and that, with the assistance of UNICEF, baseline research would enable the development of necessary policies. 594. With regard to the rights of persons with disabilities, the Marshall Islands accepted recommendations 56.28 and 56.29. The delegation stressed that, although these rights were not specifically afforded in the Constitution, there were already policies and laws that address special education and the health of children with disabilities, as well as access to parking facilities. GE.11-17059 189