A/HRC/27/12 (CPED), the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 189 (2011) concerning decent work for domestic workers and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure. It had also signed the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OPICESCR), which the delegation hoped would soon be approved by the Legislative Assembly. 8. Costa Rica was a middle-income country that, since 1949, had consistently invested in education. In 2011, Costa Rica had achieved a literacy rate of 97.6 per cent. The country had also a programme of cash transfer which was conditional on students remaining in the formal education system. Costa Rica hoped to increase the income of poor families, thus paving the way for access to education and ensuring universal secondary education. That would also be a step towards reducing poverty, combating the school dropout rate, addressing examination failure and tackling child labour. 9. Costa Rica had an internationally recognized quality universal health system, which was reflected in the average life expectancy of 79.3 years and in the low rate of child mortality. In 2011, 97.5 per cent of the population had their own water supply and nine out of ten persons had drinking water. The right to water had been recognized by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice and in March 2014, a new law on water resources had been approved on first reading. 10. Despite the aforementioned progress, Costa Rica faced challenges stemming from the structural situation which was reflected in the levels of social inequality and inequity, as well as the increasing level of organized crime in the region. 11. The delegation reported on a number of important mechanisms that had been established or strengthened, and legislation, policies and programmes that had been adopted for the care and protection of the most vulnerable population groups, thereby promoting social inclusion. 12. The rights of children and adolescents had been seriously affected by increase in sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and adolescent pregnancy, in particular when they were linked to abusive relations with adults. The lead body in that area, the Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (National Child Agency), conducted policies, programmes and projects for the comprehensive protection of minors and their families, in coordination with other institutions and non-governmental organizations. Nevertheless, it was important to continue strengthening those programmes. 13. Costa Rica was also working to mainstream a gender perspective in all areas and had carried out a number of initiatives in State bodies to build a society based on the principle of gender equality. 14. With regard to specific population groups, the State had had to take targeted measures for indigenous peoples, persons of African descent, migrants and refugees. As part of the 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance held in Durban, and following the 2009 Durban Review Conference, Costa Rica had been pleased to announce that it had adopted a National Policy for a society free from racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and a related Action Plan for 2014– 2019. There was currently also a proposal for a reform of the Constitution which would declare Costa Rica to be a multi-ethnic and pluricultural nation. 15. Costa Rica had a strong judicial system which granted rights to persons regardless of their nationality, and which was strengthened through numerous rulings of the Constitutional Chamber, guaranteeing the effectiveness of the standards related to the 4