A/HRC/42/9 disasters in a rapid manner. It also welcomed efforts made to ensure the protection and preservation of the rights of all citizens of Dominica. 53. Brazil praised Dominica for its decision to build a climate-resilient country. It commended the de facto moratorium on the death penalty, the criminalization of marital rape and the efforts made to provide home care for elderly and critically ill patients. Brazil applauded the initiatives taken by Dominica towards becoming a party to key international human rights instruments. It encouraged the country to continue to be engaged in addressing the needs of the most vulnerable persons in its society and to adopt legislation and national policies on the rights of persons with disabilities. 54. Canada commended Dominica for the progress achieved since the previous review regarding the rights of persons with disabilities. It remained concerned at the high rates of sexual violence against women and children, including within their families, as well as by the persistence of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Canada welcomed the efforts of Dominica to address human rights concerns as it faced the ongoing challenges of post-hurricane reconstruction, and encouraged the country to continue striving towards full implementation of the universal periodic review recommendations. 55. Chile congratulated Dominica for its national action plan for the protection of children, adopted in 2018, and for efforts made to update its national gender policy and action plan. Chile expressed concern about the discrimination affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and about the law that punished consensual sexual relations between persons of the same sex. Recognizing the challenges resulting from climate change, Chile welcomed the adoption of the Climate Resilience Act. 56. China welcomed the efforts made by Dominica in the promotion and protection of human rights and action taken in the areas of natural disaster relief, social development, poverty reduction and the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. It commended Dominica for improving the realization of the rights to housing and education for its people. China acknowledged the challenges faced by Dominica regarding natural disasters, and called on the international community to assist the country in that regard. 57. Costa Rica recognized that climate change posed multiple challenges for Dominica. In that regard, it considered positive the adoption of the Climate Resilience Act, which was aimed at ensuring rapid and efficient recuperation from climate-related and natural disasters. 58. Cuba recognized the efforts that Dominica had made to implement the recommendations supported during the second universal periodic review cycle, despite the fact that Dominica was a small island developing State that had faced the negative effects caused by natural disasters. Cuba acknowledged several legislative measures in different human rights areas, as well as actions aimed at combating poverty and extending the coverage and quality of health and education services. 59. Denmark welcomed the delegation of Dominica and thanked the members for the presentation of the report. Denmark noted that the Convention against Torture Initiative stood ready to assist Dominica in advancing in the areas covered by the Initiative. It made recommendations. 60. The Dominican Republic welcomed the delegation of Dominica and thanked the members for the presentation of the report. It congratulated Dominica for its efforts aimed at safeguarding the life of all its citizens and reducing the negative consequences of natural disasters. 61. Fiji noted that Dominica was a small island developing State and that it was one of the States most vulnerable to climate change. It acknowledged the multiple challenges posed by climate change, including intense hurricanes affecting agriculture productivity, infrastructure, residential development and resource management. Fiji commended Dominica for its aspirations and its goal to be the world’s first climate-resilient nation, and the efforts it had made to that end through the implementation of the Climate Resilience Act. It further commended the resilience-building process implemented pursuant to the Act, which targeted key industries, including the agriculture, transport, housing and resettlement sectors. 7