A/HRC/33/4 of the rights of indigenous peoples and a need to improve access to educational services for children. 80. Portugal welcomed the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and the abolition of school fees, which had resulted in improved access to education, especially for families living in the interior of the country and poor family households. It also welcomed the legislation establishing a national human rights institution. 81. The Republic of Korea appreciated initiatives and policies taken by the Bureau of Gender Affairs to promote gender equality and protect women from violence. It noted a “Intervention Domestic Violence” training session as a good example to raise awareness on gender-based violence. It also noted the legislation establishing the National Human Rights Institution and hoped that the human rights infrastructure would be independent and effective. 82. Regarding the question on the National Human Rights Institution, the delegation of Suriname assured that it would be independent and in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (Paris Principles). 83. In relation to the Amnesty Act mentioned by the Netherlands, and by referring to the first Amnesty Act, Suriname could not give amnesty to some violators of human rights, but not others. The second Amnesty Act was not the initiative of the Government but that of parliament. Suriname wanted to end that situation positively and start the process of mediations and truth-finding through the Organization of the American States. The case that had been brought before the courts must also come to an end. 84. On domestic violence and child abuse, the Ministry of Justice and Police had recently launched a pilot project on child abuse and exploitation in an indigenous village in the western part of the country to see what kind of methodologies should be developed. Suriname also planned to establish an institution whose primary purpose was to protect children. But more experts and social workers were needed to reach the goal in 2018. 85. Senegal welcomed measures taken by Suriname as part of the follow-up to recommendations accepted during the first universal periodic review cycle, which included the abolition of the death penalty, the revision of the Nationality and Residency Act, the provision of free health care for children up to the age of 16 and initiatives prioritizing women’s rights. 86. Sierra Leone applauded the efforts undertaken to combat gender inequality and encouraged the accelerated adoption of the legislation conferring mothers’ nationality on their children. It also encouraged Suriname to ensure that the national human rights institution was in accordance with the Paris Principles. It urged Suriname to implement the recommendations from the first cycle. 87. Slovenia welcomed the efforts undertaken in the areas of women’s rights and gender equality and the removal of the death penalty from the Penal Code, but remained concerned that the death penalty was preserved in the Military Penal Code. It noted with concern that Suriname had not ratified the Convention against Torture and that criminal legislation did not define torture in conformity with international norms. 88. South Africa commended Suriname for the establishment of a commission to implement universal periodic review recommendations. It also commended Suriname for the efforts undertaken to abolish the death penalty and eradicate poverty. It encouraged Suriname to ensure full and effective participation of the tribal and indigenous peoples in public and political life. 10 GE.16-11346