A/HRC/16/14 discrimination, violence and exploitation, especially against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. It made recommendations. 54. Slovenia stated that, despite the commendable efforts of Jamaica, stakeholders had observed that women continued to face discrimination and domestic violence. Slovenia stated that the reports of abuse and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons by law enforcement officials were highly worrisome. It made recommendations. 55. Norway referred to the noticeable progress made in the area of social and economic rights. Norway noted that severe violence was still one of Jamaica’s most demanding challenges and that more could be done to implement reforms of the police force and the justice system. Norway noted that while important steps had been taken to protect the rights of women, violence against women and girls remained high. Norway stated that it regarded the death penalty as an inhuman punishment. It made recommendations. 56. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed important advances already made, in particular the recently set up Independent Commission of Investigations, to examine abuses by the police, and commended the work of the Jamaican Constabulary Force’s anti-corruption unit. It stated that more extensive reform of the police and the justice system was necessary, and that input from civil society and the general public was vital to improving public confidence in those sectors. The United Kingdom encouraged Jamaica to promote tolerance and to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. It made recommendations. 57. Jamaica expressed its gratitude to delegations that recognized its constraints. Regarding questions related to the death penalty and the ratification of the First Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, Jamaica recalled that it had become party to ICCPR and the Optional Protocol thereto in 1976, but had withdrawn from this Optional Protocol in 1998. In the light of its retention of the death penalty and its respect for international law, there were no current plans to re-accede to the First Optional Protocol or to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to ICCPR. 58. In response to questions regarding sexual orientation, Jamaica reaffirmed its position on the issue and noted that sexual orientation was not criminalized, only a specific act. Jamaica stated that it was aware of existing concerns and observed that this was a sensitive issue. 59. Regarding prison conditions, it noted that high levels of crime and violence placed great pressure on its justice system. It indicated that steps had been taken to improve prison conditions. Regarding justice reform, it thanked Canada for its assistance and referred to the work of the Jamaica Justice Task Force, with the assistance of the Canadian Bar, and the recommendations made, and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to implementation. 60. Jamaica agreed that the issue of arbitrary detention had been a concern. It stated that a number of crime laws had been adopted, which had included addressing the power of the police to detain and arrest. Therefore, necessary legislative steps had been taken to ensure that arrests and detentions were carried out lawfully. 61. Regarding the question about putting in place a procedure for the review of decisions of the DPP, Jamaica noted that the DPP’s rulings were already subject to judicial review, so this was a non-issue. Regarding a question concerning the Male Desk, Jamaica referred to its concern about the gender gap, but said that that concern was also focused on males. Boys were lagging behind, and they had a low level of enrolment in institutions. It provided details about the functions of the Desk. 62. Jamaica also expressed deep concern about the issue of the use of excessive force by police and extrajudicial killings, which had been raised by a number of delegations. It 9