A/HRC/23/11 34. In conclusion, Barbados stated that as a small island developing State it continued to experience many challenges and these make it difficult to ratify new treaties at this time. As a matter of policy, new treaties would not be ratified unless the country was in a position to meet all of the obligations that attend thereto. Barbados continued to encounter capacity constraints and part of the problem related to the collation of data and disaggregation of statistics, though a number of initiatives had been taken in this regard. 35. The delegation also reported that work had been accomplished with regard to its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and that these reports would hopefully be completed in the course of the year. Additionally, work was near completion with regard to 11 of the 22 ILO Conventions. Barbados indicated that it would welcome the assistance of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in streamlining the treaty reporting process. 36. Barbados welcomed the appointment of a Human Rights Advisor in the country and considered that this would assist the Government in raising awareness on human rights issues and strengthening the national framework for the protection of human rights in the country. 37. Barbados then replied to the advanced questions it had received, noting that information had already been provided during its intervention regarding most of the issues raised. 38. On questions related to criminalization of same-sex activities, Barbados reiterated information previously provided highlighting the fact that there was no intervention of the law in relations between consenting adults. On the abolition of the death penalty, Barbados referred to information already provided and stated that the country’s record of not having used the death penalty for almost 30 years made a very strong statement. 39. With regard to questions on the abolition of corporal punishment, Barbados recalled that there were programmes in schools to develop alternatives which appeared to be leading to a decrease in its use of corporal punishment or its use only as a last resort. Greater public acceptance seems to be needed for the Government to comfortably introduce this change into its legislation. 40. On measures adopted to prevent violence against women, Barbados referred to the detailed information it had already provided. As for plans to tackle child abuse, it was recalled that the Government has hired a legal consultant to examine existing legislation and to help to bring it in line with internationally accepted protocols. A child maintenance fund had also been established by the Government to provide needed assistance to single parents. As for child labour, this could not be a significant problem as education is compulsory and children should be in school up to the age of 16 years. However, a national child labour committee had been established and one of its functions would be to monitor child labour cases. 41. On the question about steps being adopted against aggressive and discriminatory policing, it was reiterated that the Police Force received training in customer service, public relations, human rights, community engagement, conflict resolution and officer safety. It was recalled that a Police Complaints Authority had been established and met regularly to consider complaints against the police. 42. Regarding questions on the establishment of a national human rights institution, Barbados explained that this was addressed through the further enhancement of the Office of the Ombudsman, which would provide that function. 43. On the question regarding what relevant legislation had been enacted during the period under review, Barbados referred, in addition to legislation already mentioned, to the 7