A/HRC/18/14 Police and Prisons, although it noted the poor living conditions in prisons, the alleged police abuses and the absence of provisions protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Canada made recommendations. 32. Turkey commended Samoa for adopting a comprehensive framework for the enhancement of human rights. It encouraged Samoa to continue efforts to become party to core international human rights treaties. It commended the progress in establishing a human rights commission and encouraged further initiatives to start its functioning. Turkey appreciated the work on enacting a family safety law, which together with the new criminal code would make significant contributions to fighting sexual and gender-based violence against women and children. Turkey made recommendations. 33. Slovenia commended Samoa for planning to accede to the two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. While welcoming the high priority given to education, Slovenia noted the high dropout rate in primary education and inquired about measures taken to address it. Slovenia further inquired on measures taken to tackle domestic violence and to address the underrepresentation of women in decision-making processes. Slovenia made recommendations. 34. Germany commended the achievements Samoa had made in the human rights area, but noted the concerns of the Committee on the Rights of the Child regarding the low age of criminal responsibility, the absence of a juvenile justice system and the provision of alternatives to judicial proceedings and imprisonment. Germany sought information on the construction of a juvenile detention centre. Noting discriminatory common-law rules that have rendered difficult the prosecution of sexual offenders, Germany inquired about legislative changes to increase the threat of punishment for sexual violence in marriages and on measures protecting women from sexual and/or domestic violence. Germany made a recommendation. 35. While noting that Samoa was party to a number of core human right treaties, France inquired whether the country intended to accede to the outstanding instruments. France further inquired on the advancement of the plan aimed at establishing a national human rights institution, and on plans to adopt a law prohibiting corporal punishment. France referred to laws punishing sexual activities between consenting adults of the same sex. France made recommendations. 36. Japan commended Samoa for being party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and for its efforts to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. It welcomed measures to address domestic and sexual abuse of women and children, including the National Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women, the Family Safety Bill 2009, and the amendment of the Crimes Ordinance 1961 Act to impose stricter penalties for such crimes. Japan noted treaty bodies’ concerns over the situation of women in the employment sector and their limited political participation, and hoped Samoa would make further efforts in that regard. Japan made recommendations. 37. Chile noted that the culture promoted the respect of human rights in a peaceful and cohesive society. Chile noted that, despite the changes linked to modernization, Samoa still praised the values of mutual respect and reciprocity and the well-being of the person. Chile was concerned that climate change and natural disasters were threatening the enjoyment of human rights. While noting the measures taken by Samoa, Chile indicated that international cooperation was crucial in tackling those issues. Chile made recommendations. 38. Cuba noted that, despite challenges faced, including financial constraints and limited capacity, and the adverse effect of climate change and natural disasters, Samoa was committed to promoting human rights. Cuba particularly noted health-related efforts, 7