A/HRC/33/13 however, that, even though the penalty appeared in the Penal Code, nobody had been executed since the 1980s. The delegation expressed its understanding of why it would be important to formally take a step beyond the existing state of affairs. 38. The delegation recognized the importance of having an independent national human rights institution and added that the Government could take on board recommendations in this regard, since Antigua and Barbuda currently lacked an independent institution that could keep the Government on its toes. 39. Regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, the delegation considered that changes would take time. However, it stated that such persons were not brutally treated in the Caribbean in general and in Antigua and Barbuda in particular. The Constitution recognized the same rights for all people but it would take time to change personal prejudices, and to sensitize people. The Government was working on this but it was not possible to force such change on the psyche of the people. The delegation recognized the existence of legal provisions considering sexual relations between adults of the same sex as a crime, but no one was prosecuted under them. The delegation considered that that law was only used against adults who had molested children. The delegation recalled that those provisions had been inherited but recognized that they had to change at some point if the Government was serious about human rights. 40. Regarding sexual abuse within marriage, mentioned during the interactive dialogue, Antigua and Barbuda stated that the law covered any form of violence in a couple, so it was up to the wife to press charges if she wished to and the law was there to assist her. The delegation added that the gender affairs department had been very helpful and supportive in dealing with migrant workers and women who had been trafficked, and that officers were provided with relevant training on an ongoing basis. 41. On torture, the delegation considered that this was not a recurrent matter in the islands but that the Government could consider the possibility of signing the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The delegation reiterated that the Government was aware of the problems pertaining to the prison and stated that it would accept the recommendations to request technical assistance to solve them. 42. Maldives took positive note of the national report and the implementation of the recommendations that Antigua and Barbuda had received during the first cycle. It appreciated the measures taken in the country’s laws, relating to children and families, that had been passed by Parliament in November 2015. It also strongly supported the country’s Education Act, which specified that children were required to attend school between the ages of 5 and 16. Maldives encouraged Antigua and Barbuda to reach out to its international partners, including OHCHR, for assistance with the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. Maldives made recommendations. 43. Mexico acknowledged the reform of the juvenile justice system and urged the Government to ensure its full implementation. Mexico welcomed the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and invited the country to harmonize its legislation in accordance with the Convention. Mexico noted the adoption of the law to prevent trafficking in persons as well as the enhanced measures to combat that crime. Mexico called upon Antigua and Barbuda to work to reduce the high rate of teenage pregnancies and HIV prevalence and to guarantee access to social and health services for all, including vulnerable persons and persons from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community. Mexico made recommendations. 44. Montenegro welcomed the recent ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and noted that there were a number of international human rights treaties and their optional protocols to which Antigua and Barbuda was not a party. 8 GE.16-10597