A/HRC/24/8 Parliament. Furthermore, in 2009 the Parliament passed the Police Powers and Duties Act, which made domestic violence a criminal offence, recognized that domestic violence was not a private issue and specifically mandated the Police to respond to domestic violence. 16. While acknowledging the inconsistency of the country’s domestic laws and cultural and traditional practices on the treatment of women’s rights, the Department of Women Affairs aimed to use cultural realities to challenge harmful cultural practices. Furthermore, the Department of Women had increased the advocacy and lobbying on temporary special measures, especially in decision-making at the local and national level, and was also lobbying to support the amendment of the Constitution to prohibit sex and gender discrimination. 17. The Head of the Delegation expressed that people with different sexual orientation did not suffer social discrimination but the question of legal protection in the law was controversial and would need to be carefully considered. Tuvalu was open to discussion. 18. Tuvalu noted that consultations were ongoing with a view to amending the Constitution once there was wider understanding and acceptance of gender equality. 19. The Government was progressively realizing the recommendation to amend the legislation to include a safeguard against statelessness. 20. Tuvalu reiterated its commitment to protect the human rights of its people, for which purpose it requested relevant assistance in its effort to fulfil its human rights obligations. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 21. During the interactive dialogue, 38 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue can be found in chapter II of the present report. 22. Maldives acknowledged significant developments since 2008 and appreciated efforts to address violence against women and the formulation of the Family Protection and Domestic Violence Bill. It recognized the need for international technical assistance and financial support to fully realize its first-cycle recommendations, as well as capacitybuilding and awareness-raising. It acknowledged water scarcity and urged the consideration of the report from the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation as the basis for advancement. Maldives made recommendations. 23. Mexico acknowledged the strengthening of human rights despite the challenges faced by Tuvalu. It welcomed cooperation with special procedures and the visit from Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. It expressed a hope to see a law on water adopted as soon as possible. It welcomed the report submitted on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It encouraged the ongoing work to include prohibition of discrimination based on sex and gender in the Constitution. Mexico made recommendations. 24. Montenegro acknowledged the limited capacities of Tuvalu and encouraged the United Nations to provide specific assistance for the ratification of more human rights treaties. It recognized the importance of a plan of action as recommended by the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. It expressed concern over disadvantaged position of women in some fields. It requested information on steps to amend the Constitution and to incorporate principles of equality and prohibition of sex- and gender-based discrimination into legislation. Montenegro made recommendations. 25. Morocco recognized the challenges to the full realization of social, economic and cultural rights faced by Tuvalu, and commended its efforts to harmonize domestic 5