A/HRC/43/8 56. Ukraine noted the measures taken to implement recommendations from the previous review cycle, especially with regard to ratification of the core human rights treaties and cooperation with the special procedures of the Human Rights Council. 57. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed the ratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, acknowledged the leadership shown in discussions on the human rights impact of climate change, and encouraged further efforts to tackle gender-based violence. 58. The United States of America commended Fiji on its free and fair elections in 2018 and for taking seriously its obligations under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 59. Uruguay commended Fiji for its cooperation with the special procedures, and welcomed recognition of gender equality as a key component of national development and that its legislation was in line with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 60. Vanuatu commended the steps taken by Fiji in building resilience to climate change and strengthening national efforts for the realization of human rights in the country. 61. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela commended the ratification of core international instruments and welcomed the abolition of all references to the death penalty in the laws of Fiji. It praised the steps taken in ensuring the right to housing and education. 62. Viet Nam commended the strong commitment of Fiji to the advancement of the rights of women and children, especially in the context of mitigating the negative impact of climate change. 63. Afghanistan acknowledged the adoption of effective policies to protect citizens’ rights in the face of the rising threats from climate change and other natural disasters. 64. Albania encouraged Fiji to combat domestic violence. It noted that the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly continued to be restricted. 65. Algeria welcomed the National Adaptation Plan, which included measures to reduce poverty and reduce the spread of tropical and non-communicable diseases. 66. Angola commended the pledge to develop its national mechanism for implementation, reporting and follow-up, and acknowledged the leadership of Fiji on climate change and the environment. 67. Argentina congratulated Fiji for ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and welcomed its cooperation with the special procedures of the Human Rights Council. 68. Armenia appreciated the cooperation of Fiji with the United Nations human rights mechanisms and the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and noted with satisfaction efforts to launch the Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign. 69. Australia welcomed the appointment of a Chair to the Fiji Human Rights and AntiDiscrimination Commission. 70. The delegation of Fiji stated that, regarding trafficking in human beings, Fiji was active in prosecuting offenders, training prosecutors and extending support to victims. Courts had developed jurisprudence on offences concerning trafficking in human beings and used international jurisprudence to help develop case law. 71. The Constitution defined any person under the age of 18 as a child. The age of criminal responsibility was 10 years. Children between the ages of 14 and 17 were defined as juveniles, for whom sentences never exceeded two years. Courts considered many other options before passing down a prison sentence on a juvenile. 6