A/HRC/18/14 projects. At the same time, Samoa would continue to invest in using renewable hydro, solar and biofuel energy as an alternative to fossil fuel. 67. Samoa indicated that a juvenile detention centre had been functioning since 2008 under the Ministry of Police and Prisons. 68. The minimum age of criminal responsibility remained at 10 years; however, under the Young Offenders Act of 2007, a Youth Court had been established to try people between the ages of 10 and 17. 69. As to the establishment of a human rights institution, Samoa was in the process of drafting legislation to this end. 70. With regard to the situation of prisons, Samoa was also in the process of drafting legislation to remove the responsibility for prisons from the Ministry of Police and establish a fully separate prison authority. 71. Samoa thanked each delegation for their comments and inputs. Samoa considered that the UPR process afforded to it the opportunity to share its story on efforts to uphold and protect human rights in Samoa and the challenges it faced in that regard. 72. In recognizing the challenges Samoa faced as a small island developing State, Samoa remained committed to fulfilling its obligations and responsibilities and continuing to work closely with the civil society, regional and international partners in advancing human rights in Samoa. II. Conclusions and/or recommendations 73. The following recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue have been examined by Samoa and enjoy its support: 73.1. Consider, in a progressive manner and with the necessary technical assistance, the ratification of the principal outstanding international human rights instruments (Chile); 73.2. Consider ratifying international human rights conventions to which it is not yet a party (Nicaragua); 73.3. Consider ratifying, as soon as possible, fundamental international human rights instruments and their optional protocols to which Samoa is not yet a party (Brazil); 1 73.4. Consider ratifying (Slovenia, United Kingdom), consider the possibility of ratifying (Argentina), consider signing and ratifying (Indonesia), consider the possibility of acceding to and/or ratifying (Ecuador) the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Slovenia, United Kingdom, Argentina, Indonesia, Ecuador); 73.5. Consider ratifying (Slovenia), consider the possibility of ratifying (Argentina), consider signing and ratifying (Indonesia), consider the possibility of acceding to and/or ratifying (Ecuador) the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Slovenia, Argentina, Indonesia, Ecuador) and its Optional Protocol (Ecuador); 1 12 The recommendation as read out during the interactive dialogue: “Consider ratifying, as soon as possible, fundamental international human rights instruments and their protocols to which Samoa is not yet a party and extending a standing invitation to the United Nations special procedures”.