A/HRC/27/9 39. Spain recognized efforts made by Dominica, including its extension of an open and standing invitation to the special procedures. It commended Dominica on the adoption of policies to protect women, but noted the continuing prevalence of violence against women. It expressed concern at cases of corporal punishment in prisons and detention centres, as well as in educational centres. Lastly, it noted that unemployment rates and basic social indicators indicated a gap between the Kalinago population and other citizens. 40. Cuba acknowledged efforts made by Dominica to promote and protect human rights, in particular by the adoption of national policies on gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as improvements in the health sector, which were reflected in a decrease in the under-5 child mortality rate. It highlighted the broad national cultural policy of Dominica, improvements in the right to education, which was universal and free of charge, and efforts to protect the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS. 41. The State of Palestine commended Dominica for its efforts to enhance the situation of human rights despite constraints, and its adoption of legislation and policies supporting gender equality and women’s empowerment. It also commended Dominica for efforts to integrate information and communication technologies into the education system. 42. Thailand noted that Dominica had become a party to a number of international human rights instruments and encouraged it to accede to other such instruments. It acknowledged the social and safety net programmes that had been introduced, and encouraged the Government to integrate all such programmes in order to maximize their potential impact. Thailand expressed appreciation for the efforts of Dominica to improve the rights of children, and its willingness to share experiences on the protection of human rights. It encouraged the international community to provide assistance and technical cooperation, upon request. 43. Trinidad and Tobago empathized with the challenges faced by Dominica in seeking to safeguard its ecological integrity while improving the living standards of its citizens within the framework of equitable and sustainable development. It noted the continuing steps being taken to maintain the autonomy and rights of the Kalinago people. 44. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed the progress achieved in the advancement of women’s rights, gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment, as well as efforts to fight poverty and the ratification by Dominica of a number of conventions. It expressed concern that Dominica had undertaken to ratify other treaties but had not done so, perhaps owing to capacity constraints. It encouraged Dominica to establish a formal moratorium on executions with a view to the eventual abolition of the death penalty. 45. The United States of America said that despite efforts, domestic violence remained a serious problem, with support systems for survivors and resources for enforcement agencies being insufficient. A critical gap existed in the legal framework to keep children away from the worst forms of child labour. The United States expressed concern about the criminalization of consensual same-sex activity between adults and noted that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender victims of violence and harassment often avoided reporting abuse. 46. Uruguay appreciated the efforts made by Dominica to participate in the review, which were a clear indication of its commitment to the UPR process. Uruguay highlighted progress made in the national agenda for the promotion and protection of human rights since the previous review, noting in particular the open invitation extended by Dominica to special procedures. 47. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela welcomed the efforts made by Dominica to implement the recommendations made during the first review, despite the challenges. It highlighted the ratification by Dominica of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with 8