A/HRC/19/7 Millennium Development Goals; the ratification of a good part of international human rights conventions; approval of legislation to allow for better access to justice; implementation of social programmes, especially those related to vulnerable peoples; and initiatives to achieve gender equality and end racial discrimination. It welcomed the election of the country’s first female Prime Minister. It made recommendations. 65. Romania noted that Trinidad and Tobago is a vibrant democracy and welcomed the commitment towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals. It appreciated the fact that the national report identifies the challenges in the human rights protection and promotion system. It congratulated the country for the establishment of comprehensive system for protection of human rights and the action of the Government to ensure the economic, social, and cultural rights. It made recommendations. 66. Chile highlighted the advances of Trinidad and Tobago in its human rights agenda, particularly in economic, social and cultural rights. It also highlighted the creation of policies for disaster risk reduction. It noted that the country had achieved the second millennium development goal on universal education. It highlighted “eConnect and Learn” programME and congratulated the country for its measures to promote gender equality, in particular for its first female Prime Minister. It made recommendations. 67. Latvia noted that country has cooperated with special procedures mandate holders. It also noted that Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions had expressed willingness to visit Trinidad and Tobago in 2006; however, the request had not been accepted yet. It made a recommendation. 68. Mexico recognized the country’s progress in poverty reduction and the achievement of gender equality in primary and secondary education. It noted with satisfaction the country’s long-term vision through its “seven pillar” strategy to promote sustainable development. It made recommendations. 69. Trinidad and Tobago stated that violence in the school system was an issue of grave concern and that the Government had established a violence prevention programme in primary and secondary system which had begun to yield results. 70. Trinidad and Tobago clarified that several existing laws addressed the phenomenon of gender-based violence. It added that such behaviour was not acceptable in society and that increasingly intervention programmes targeting men had been implemented in the community. 71. It clarified that laws criminalizing same-sex activity were not enforced, although it was acknowledged that there were very entrenched views in some sectors of society regarding the matter. Nevertheless a dialogue on the issue had begun. 72. It explained that the immigration laws were being reviewed and it was not yet clear what the result of the review would be. Moreover a new policy to afford easier access to HIV care and services for migrants was being developed. 73. Trinidad and Tobago clarified that the law that currently stated that the mandatory age for education of 5–12 years would be changed to 5–16 under the Children’s Bill and that the practice was already widely thus. Regarding gender equity, in Trinidad and Tobago women had, over the last decade, consistently performed much better than men, a phenomenon, which was a challenge. 74. Trinidad and Tobago provided details of the recent changes and effects of climate change on the country, particularly rising food prices resulting from flooding, and action taken by the Government in that regard. 75. Guatemala congratulated Trinidad and Tobago for its progress in poverty reduction and combating crime through its 2001 Anti-Gang Law. It also congratulated the country for 11