A/HRC/23/8 58. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela highlighted the Government’s progress concerning gender-based violence and gender equality, which was currently driving consultations in that area. It commended training sessions for the police on sexual crime and domestic violence with a view to effectively applying protection orders. It noted that women held high-level positions throughout society. It made a recommendation. 59. Viet Nam was pleased to note the concrete initiatives and achievements of the Bahamas in protecting and promoting human rights reflected, inter alia, by its Human Development Index, its ratification of many international instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the establishment of the interministerial committee on human trafficking. It made recommendations. 60. Algeria encouraged the Government of the Bahamas to continue its efforts to harmonize national legislation with international obligations. It noted progress in promoting women’s rights and participation in public life, but was concerned by the high rate of rape and violence against women. It asked whether the Government intended to revise its position on the transmission of nationality by Bahamian women to their children. It made recommendations. 61. Argentina welcomed the delegation and thanked it for the presentation of its report. It commended the Bahamas for the creation of the National Committee for Families and Children. It also congratulated the Bahamas for the establishment of the interministerial committee on trafficking in persons. It made recommendations. 62. Australia acknowledged the developments of the Bahamas towards greater equality and protection for women and asked for further details on the implementation of the national gender policy. It commended the Bahamas on its recommitment to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women but was deeply concerned by reports of increased violence against women. It remained concerned that the death penalty continued to be imposed, although there had been no executions since 2000. Australia also noted the continued influx of migrants. It made recommendations. 63. Bangladesh was pleased to note that the Bahamas had systematically addressed concerns relating to long-term social and economic development goals. It welcomed the legal provisions against trafficking and for protecting victims and commended the high primary education enrolment in the Bahamas. Bangladesh noted that the Bahamas was vulnerable to national disaster and climate change and faced capacity challenges in reporting under human rights treaties, and hoped that these would be overcome with the international community’s help. It was concerned at deep-rooted stereotypes regarding men’s and women’s roles, responsibilities and identities. It made recommendations. 64. Barbados commended the ratification by the Bahamas of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, recognized ongoing challenges in harmonizing and integrating international obligations with national legislation, and called for OHCHR to assist in addressing this issue. Barbados looked forward to the findings of the Constitution Reform Commission and the referendum to be conducted in 2013. It noted recent legislation on children, women and the disabled as well as policies seeking to promote gender equality and a more accountable judicial system. It viewed positively the efforts of the Bahamas to integrate a human rights awareness programme into the general school curriculum. 65. Brazil appreciated the ratification by the Bahamas of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and noted with interest the enactment of a more comprehensive Child Protection Act, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It referred to migrants and asylum seekers. Brazil welcomed the commitment of the Bahamas to equality and non11