A/HRC/33/4 109. Responding to the question posed by Armenia on the accession to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Convention against Torture, the delegation of Suriname indicated that they would be studied by the national human rights institution to be established. 110. On increasing the minimum age for marriage to 18, the age of consent in the Civil Code had been revised in 2003 from 13 to 15 years for girls and from 15 to 17 years for boys. In current draft legislation, it was proposed that the age be increased to 18 for both boys and girls in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 111. As to the question from Australia regarding the situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals, Suriname was trying to increase awareness, despite difficulties in creating acceptance among more than 20 ethnic groups. 112. Responding to the statement from the United States, the delegation reported that Suriname had created the Trafficking in Persons Unit in the police and conducted awareness-raising programmes for them so that they would not treat victims as criminals. Suriname also had shelters for female and child trafficking victims and was establishing shelters for male victims. 113. As for child labour in informal economy, including in small-scale gold mining, it was important to know that, in Suriname, during school holidays, children worked for their parents. That was Surinamese culture. However, the Government was enforcing the law on the age of mandatory schooling. 114. Concerning the comments made by the United States about the justice system, the Minister stressed that she could not accept the statement that suggested that the justice system in Suriname was not independent, as that was not true. 115. The age of compulsory education would be increased to 16 years of age and it was hoped that the law would be in force next year. 116. In relation to the recommendation from Trinidad and Tobago to separate juveniles from adults in detention, the juvenile correctional institution did not yet have a separate building; however, juveniles were separated from adults. 117. As for access of persons with disabilities to education, Suriname had improved access to education, including in rural areas, but mainly at primary level. 118. Costa Rica congratulated Suriname for progress made regarding gender equality and decision-making, such as the 2015 campaign. It noted that, further to that initiative, participation of women had increased. It acknowledged the importance paid by Suriname to human rights education and training on gender equality. It also noted with concern the observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination regarding the situation of indigenous peoples in Suriname. 119. Cuba acknowledged challenges faced by a multi-ethnic and multireligious society such as Suriname. It noted efforts to combat gender inequalities at home and society, such as training provided to public servants and awareness-raising campaigns. It highlighted progress regarding children rights, trafficking in persons and poverty reduction. It noted persistent challenges regarding indigenous peoples’ rights. 120. Denmark commended Suriname for having ratified almost all the core human rights instruments and submitted reports to treaty bodies. It regretted, however, that Suriname had not ratified the Convention against Torture and hoped that Suriname would be a party thereto. It highlighted that the Convention against Torture Initiative stood ready to explore avenues to assist Suriname in advancing on that issue. GE.16-11346 13