A/HRC/33/13 persons serving their sentences. The delegation considered that, ideally, Antigua and Barbuda needed another penal institution, which could be focused on young people up to the age of 25. 23. Regarding the position of women in politics, the delegation noted that many Caribbean countries were trying to encourage and empower women to participate in politics, even though campaigning could be brutal which could act as a deterrent. 24. Denmark commended Antigua and Barbuda for its constructive engagement with the universal periodic review process and for having demonstrated progress in the protection and promotion of human rights since its last review. Denmark hoped that concrete measures were being taken by Antigua and Barbuda to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and asked the delegation to elaborate on steps taken. Denmark also emphasized that the Convention against Torture Initiative stood ready to explore avenues to assist Antigua and Barbuda in advancing on the issue if that were deemed to be helpful. Denmark made recommendations. 25. Ecuador welcomed efforts directed towards compliance with the recommendations received in the first review in 2011, particularly the amendments in 2015 to the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act and the Migrant Smuggling (Prevention) Act. Ecuador welcomed the work carried out in coordination with civil society on programmes to guarantee the rights of persons with disabilities, and the care taken in providing for the special needs of that group, through the provision of technical assistance, equipment and medical treatment. Ecuador made recommendations. 26. Egypt noted the importance that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda attached to taking positive measures to improve the human rights situation in the country, particularly through the adoption of the national action plan for 2013-2018 to put an end to sexual violence. It noted the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2015 and the Migrant Smuggling (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2015. It also highlighted the effective measures taken to include all children in the education system and the efforts to take legal measures to protect children and adults. It welcomed national efforts to combat poverty through specific programmes. Egypt made recommendations. 27. France welcomed recommendations. the delegation of Antigua and Barbuda and made 28. Germany welcomed the delegation of Antigua and Barbuda and thanked it for its presentation of the national report. Germany commended the achievements of Antigua and Barbuda in the area of human rights, and particularly welcomed the passing of the Domestic Violence Bill and the Child Justice Bill in 2015. Germany remained concerned about the low age of criminal responsibility and regretted that Antigua and Barbuda continued to have a place in law for the death penalty. Germany stated that equality and non-discrimination were crucial to a democratic society and that the criminalization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons constrained their chances of reporting cases of discrimination and violence. Germany made recommendations. 29. Ghana noted the amendments to the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act, the Migrant Smuggling (Prevention) Act and the Immigration and Passport Act and hoped that these would strengthen the legal framework and address existing gaps in the promotion and protection of human rights in Antigua and Barbuda. It also noted that Antigua and Barbuda had yet to ratify a number of core international human rights treaties, despite having accepted to do so during the first review. It urged Antigua and Barbuda to seek appropriate technical assistance, including from OHCHR, to uphold its international human rights obligations. Ghana made recommendations. 6 GE.16-10597