A/HRC/12/7 Page 13 protection of basic human rights and establishing human rights protection agencies including an effective protection and monitoring framework. It acknowledged Malta’s innovative measures in human rights protection, in relation to human rights education and prison management. China asked Malta if the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality had the competence to investigate complaints of discrimination and take independent action for remedy. China asked if measures aimed at ensuring the basic rights of detainees had had the expected effects and whether Malta would promote this practice in other enforcement agencies. 64. Jordan welcomed the development of a legislative and institutional framework, including the establishment of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality. While appreciating efforts in tackling major challenges relating to refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants, Jordan expressed hope that Malta would continue to effectively address concerns raised by UNHCR, human rights treaty bodies and special procedures recommending that (a) all measures and actions taken to effectively address concerns raised by UNHCR, human rights treaty bodies, special procedures, be in line with international human rights law. Jordan also recommended that Malta (b) consider the establishment of an independent national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles; (c) consider the ratification of CPD; and (d) provide and improve training programmes on human rights for the judiciary, law enforcement personnel and lawyers. 65. Maldives noted that despite human resources-constraints and a high population density, Malta has made impressive strides. It sought information on the resources granted to national prevention mechanisms under CAT-OP, namely the Board of Visitors for Detained Persons and the Board of Visitors for the Prisons; and asked how they divide responsibilities. Maldives asked if Malta, in view of the large number of conventions to which it is party, considered preparing a common core document to streamline treaty reporting. Maldives recommended considering establishing a national human rights commission in line with the Paris Principles. 66. Italy noted that, while corporal punishment is prohibited in schools and in other institutions, it is not prohibited by law in the form of “reasonable chastisement” within the family. Noting the concern of the Committee on the Rights of the Child at limited measures for the rehabilitation of victims and at insufficient social awareness of the harmful consequences of ill-treatment and abuse, including sexual abuse of children, Italy recommended (a) explicitly prohibiting any kind of corporal punishment of children, including within the family, and strengthening measures to prevent and combat child abuse and ill-treatment. Commending institutional measures to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, Italy noted concerns about the social stigma attached to children with disabilities and limitations faced by voluntary organizations in addressing in a comprehensive manner all the needs of children with disabilities. Italy recommended (b) ratifying CPD and strengthening efforts to protect, in particular, children with disabilities against any form of discrimination, including by envisaging awareness-raising campaigns. 67. Slovenia noted that Malta is party to most core human rights documents, but ratified CEDAW with reservations. While commending legal efforts undertaken since ratification of the Convention, Slovenia asked if Malta intended to review and withdraw the reservations to articles 11, 14, 15 and 16 and recommended it (a) do so. It also recommended (b) ratification of the CEDAW-OP and the CRC-OP. Bearing in mind its constitutional and legal framework and its strong position on abortion, Slovenia suggested Malta consider reviewing its legislation and that exceptions be made to the general prohibition in cases of rape, incest and therapeutic abortion.