A/HRC/24/8 42. Thailand welcomed legislation adopted to promote and protect human rights. It acknowledged progress in ensuring gender equality and women’s basic rights but remained concerned about reports of domestic violence and stereotyping regarding women’s role in society. It appreciated the submission of the report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the establishment of a school for children with special needs. It supported child rights as a top national agenda. Thailand recognized the constraints and challenges faced by Tuvalu and encouraged the international community and OHCHR to provide assistance and capacity-building. It made recommendations. 43. Trinidad and Tobago noted the key national human rights priorities of Tuvalu that included the promotion of gender equality and the provision of safe drinking water. It commended the work of the Department of Women in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme. It acknowledged the climate-change challenges faced and commended the National Adaptation Programme of Action to address such issues. It welcomed the visit by the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation to examine the water and sanitation situation in Tuvalu. It made recommendations. 44. Turkey acknowledged positive steps taken to implement the country’s commitment to human rights. It recognized constraints and invited regional and international development partners to provide technical and financial assistance. Turkey expressed confidence in the successful implementation of the National Strategic Development Plan and its prioritization of issues such as the Ombudsman’s Commission, the promotion of gender equality and the role of women in development. It underscored the importance of having a national human rights institution. Turkey made recommendations. 45. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland recognized the challenges faced by Tuvalu, particularly climate change, and acknowledged the level of consultation with civil society. It noted the ratification of just two international human rights treaties and encouraged the signature and ratification of other human rights treaties. It urged steps to address water and sanitation problems. It emphasized the importance of the right to social security and an adequate standard of living. It made recommendations. 46. The United States of America commended Tuvalu for its 2010 elections. It noted and encouraged the participation in the subregional audit support programme. It welcomed the increased school attendance by girls and the increased women’s participation in several areas. It expressed condolences at the loss of the Finance Minister and noted the need for a by-election. It raised concern over the application of and limitations in the Religious Organizations Restriction Act as well as over the illegality of sexual relations between males. It strongly supported decriminalizing consensual sexual relations between adults. It made recommendations. 47. Uruguay expressed appreciation for the country’s efforts and commitment to the UPR process. It highlighted the legislative advances and institutional reforms made, which had helped towards fulfilling some of the previous UPR recommendations, despite the constraints and challenges facing Tuvalu. Uruguay made recommendations. 48. Concerning the efforts of Tuvalu to ratify core human rights treaties, the Head of the Delegation reiterated that assistance had been requested from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to carry out a legislative review of the laws. From having ratified two human rights treaties, Tuvalu had realized of the obligations that came with signing up to international conventions. Tuvalu supported the idea of ratifying all core human rights treaties but it must make sure that it was in a position to fulfil what it was bound to do once an international convention was ratified. 8