A/HRC/17/3 54. Nauru was looking at the ratification of the International Covenant and formed a working group to look at all the treaties and provide the Government with recommendations on what could realistically be done either immediately or at a later stage. 55. The Nauru delegation highlighted that women’s representation was quite good in the public services. However, the political representation was not the same, as there has been only one female MP since the independence of Nauru. During the constitutional review, it was felt by many, including women, that having a preferential seat for women in Parliament to redress this shortage was not the best way to proceed. There were female senior Government officials, as evidenced by the delegation but the problem lay with female political representation. 56. Regarding the centres for asylum-seekers, the delegation recalled that Nauru contributed towards a regional solution to this problem. Nauru wanted to contribute to handling a situation which was affecting people in difficult situation and saw its contribution as humanitarian in nature. Consideration of the ratification of the Refugee Convention was dealt with by the working group mentioned earlier. 57. Poland noted that Nauru had not become a party to core international human rights instruments yet, but welcomed the opportunity given to the civil society to provide feedback on the draft national report. Poland made recommendations. 58. Maldives stated that it was important to understand and appreciate the challenges Nauru was facing in fully promoting and protecting human rights because of its small size and its capacity constraints. Despite that, Nauru was making significant efforts and had also made some impressive achievements in the field of human rights. Maldives made recommendations. 59. Italy took note of the National Action Plan for Women, the establishment of a Domestic Violence Unit by the Nauru Police Force and a safe house for victims of domestic violence. Nonetheless, it remained concerned at the lack of specific legislation on violence against women and at the delay in the accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women after its signature in 2000. Italy was also concerned at the frequency and persistency of sexual abuse of children. Italy made recommendations. 60. Chile noted that, as stated in the national report, Nauru was facing important challenges especially on poverty and food security, for which international assistance was needed. Chile stated that the international community and the United Nations should merge their efforts to meet Nauru’s request for assistance, particularly with regard to the elaboration of strategies to eradicate domestic violence. Climate change also posed an existential threat which undermined the whole set of human rights. Chile made recommendations. 61. New Zealand took note of Nauru’s delegation suggestions regarding potential improvements to the reporting obligations. Noting that there was no specific law on violence against women, New Zealand commended Nauru for stating in its national report that eliminating violence against women was a national priority. New Zealand enquired about steps being taken towards accession to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and about how Nauru intended to ensure its people’s enjoyment of their human rights, including access to information. New Zealand made recommendations. 62. Australia commended Nauru for its work in raising awareness on women’s issues domestically, and noted Nauru’s signature of, and intention to ratify Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. It welcomed the establishment of a National Plan of Action on Women, of a safe house for women and children victim of domestic violence, and the establishment of a Domestic Violence Unit in the Police Force. 10