A/HRC/17/3 While being concerned that domestic violence and sexual harassment remained significant issues, Australia commended Nauru for its commitment to decriminalize homosexuality. Australia was pleased to be working in partnership with Nauru on approaches to these challenges. Australia made recommendations. 63. Sweden noted that homosexuality was still illegal in Nauru and asked the delegation to elaborate on what actions were being taken to promote the rights of sexual minorities and whether the Government intended to ratify core international human rights treaties, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Sweden stated that credible reports showed that Nauru had allowed Australian refugee camps in its territory and asked the delegation to elaborate on the status of refugees and asylum seekers, including if there was any plan to ratify and implement the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention. Sweden made recommendations. 64. Argentina welcomed the active participation of Nauru in various regional mechanisms dealing with refugee issues. Argentina made recommendations. 65. Bolivia stated that Nauru had been colonized since 1888 until its independence in 1968. Unfortunately, colonizing powers were not interested in the welfare of Nauruans but exclusively in the intensive exploitation of phosphate mines. As a result, Nauru was now facing very serious environmental problems. Phosphate mining ravaged the natural environment of the island, provoking contamination of water, air and land and altering the culture and the lifestyle of its inhabitants, who were suffering serious diseases like diabetes and heart troubles, mainly due to malnutrition. This situation had very grave consequences on the enjoyment of human rights. Bolivia made recommendations. 66. Latvia was pleased to note the consultation of the civil society in the preparation of the national report. It appreciated the openness with which Nauru had approached the UPR dialogue and, in particular, the positive response given regarding the issue of standing invitations to the special procedures of the Human Rights Council. Latvia made a recommendation. 67. Trinidad and Tobago commended the Government of Nauru for its 25-year National Sustainable Development Strategy, which sets out the necessary reforms in policy and existing institutions, guided by the principles of good governance. Trinidad and Tobago noted the envisaged reform of the Constitution and appreciated steps taken to promote human rights while pursuing national economic development objectives. It believed that the establishment of the Domestic Violence Unit and of a safe house, and public awareness campaigns were the right steps in a larger strategy to deal with violence against women. Trinidad and Tobago made recommendations. 68. Mauritius understood the challenges and constraints faced by Nauru, particularly in its slow recovery from a severe economic crisis and the impact of the climate change. Mauritius asked whether a new referendum, following that of February 2010 on constitutional amendments, would be carried out, provided that the current political stalemate was resolved. Mauritius made recommendations. 69. Israel applauded Nauru’s efforts to initiate a constitutional review process, which sought to further include rights such as the right to privacy and personal autonomy, health services, education, women’s and children’s rights and the rights of persons with disabilities, among other rights, into the Constitution. Israel also noted that despite financial crises, limited financial resources and its vulnerability to the climate change, Nauru has succeeded in maintaining a democratic and tolerant society. Israel made recommendations. 70. Nauru reiterated that remarks and recommendations made were taken aboard in good spirit. Regarding access to information, the Cabinet was deliberating on specific laws, 11