A/HRC/23/8 conjunction with civil society, and undertaken close cooperation and training with the United States. The Government remained committed to doing all it could to prevent and protect against trafficking in persons. 36. The Head of Delegation highlighted the reports of excessive use of force by the security forces, in particular the police, which continued to be of concern to the Government. First, she pointed out that members of the security forces were subject to the jurisdiction of the civil courts, and over the past years several had been prosecuted for acts of violence in excess of their legal authority. There was also a complaints procedure which provided for complaints in respect of police officers to be investigated by the Complaints and Corruption Branch of the Police Force. She noted that, in accordance with the 2009 Police Act, a civilian Police Complaints Inspectorate had been established to oversee complaints made against the police. 37. The Head of Delegation assured that the Government was fully committed to educating its populace on human rights issues, including introducing such training in the primary and secondary school curriculum. Although the Bahamas had not fully adopted the World Programme for Human Rights Education as laid out in 2005, there were numerous subjects taught in both primary and secondary schools that incorporated themes of human rights education. 38. The Head of Delegation noted that the Constitution of the Bahamas guaranteed freedom of expression and opinions, and human rights defenders in the Bahamas were accorded full respect and allowed to actively defend such rights without any restrictions or hindrance by the Government. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 39. During the interactive dialogue, forty-five delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 40. New Zealand recognized the capacity and resource challenges the Bahamas faced as a small island developing State. It noted that the Bahamas had accepted a recommendation to consider acceding to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and welcomed its accession to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It also welcomed the country’s acceptance of a recommendation to consider measures to promote tolerance and non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and thanked the Government for information provided on steps taken in that regard. It made recommendations. 41. Norway was concerned about reported high incidences of domestic violence and acknowledged efforts to combat the problem. It observed the country’s efforts to improve children’s rights but expressed concern that corporal punishment of children still occurred and was lawful. It noted that the Bahamas had accepted recommendations to consider measures to promote non-discrimination regarding sexual orientation. It noted also that the Bahamas retained the death penalty. It made recommendations. 42. Paraguay congratulated the Bahamas on its efforts to address the needs of persons with disabilities, especially through various forms of financial assistance. It highlighted the legislative efforts made to combat and prevent trafficking in persons. It noted the new act on the protection of children which increased the age of criminal responsibility and encouraged the adoption of measures regarding violence against women. It made recommendations. 8