A/HRC/33/6 59. Namibia commended Samoa for reforms of enabling legislation, including the national Constitution, which had created the mandate of the Office of the Ombudsman. It noted the “My rights friendly school programme”, which included a mock universal periodic review competition and asked for information regarding that programme. 60. The Netherlands noted progress made by Samoa in promoting human rights within its legislative and policy frameworks. It expressed concern about discrimination on the ground of gender identity. The Netherlands encouraged Samoa to engage more widely with the United Nations human rights system. 61. New Zealand commended Samoa on progress made in increasing participation by women in Parliament and government leadership positions. New Zealand noted that further work was required in the area of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. 62. Pakistan expressed appreciation for efforts on gender equality, economic empowerment and access to justice. It noted legislative reforms to achieve compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and measures to establish and improve national human rights institutions. It commended action to implement recommendations related to education and climate change. 63. Regarding the death penalty, the delegation of Samoa stated that it had been abolished in 2004. On ownership of land, Samoa clarified that any woman in the country could own and co-share land and other property, though in a few villages where women were not recognized as main title-holders that right was not duly recognized. Samoa emphasized that much work had been done to increase awareness of human rights among the population, bearing in mind that certain issues, such as discriminatory practices on sexual matters, were especially difficult to face, as they involved cultural and religious sensitivities. Samoa also indicated that in July 2016 it would be among the first 22 countries to provide a voluntary report on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. 64. The instruments of ratification for the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child had been deposited and registered with the United Nations on 29 April 2016. Due note was taken of delegations’ comments on two important issues: water sanitation and mental health. 65. The Philippines recognized the reforms undertaken since the first review of Samoa. The Philippines called on the international community to extend financial and technical resources to Samoa in addressing concerns about high levels of non-communicable diseases and health issues induced by climate change. 66. Portugal welcomed the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the adoption of the Constitutional Amendment Act requiring a 10 per cent quota for women parliamentarians. Portugal also welcomed the standing invitation extended to the Council’s special procedures, and the adoption of the Family Safety Act in 2013, which provided for an extensive definition of domestic violence. 67. France welcomed the establishment of the national human rights institution and encouraged Samoa to continue efforts to combat discrimination against women. 68. Sierra Leone welcomed the signing of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the adaptation of various facilities for persons with impaired vision. Sierra Leone encouraged Samoa to continue seeking technical assistance to mitigate the impact of climate change, and to ensure that women’s access to land for economic empowerment was guaranteed. 10 GE.16-10832