A/HRC/24/8 66. On the area of corporal punishment, she noted the recent review of the Education Act with the aim of integrating human rights concerns. She explained that corporal punishment was legal and allowed, but only by the head teachers. Tuvalu was working to combat that and discussions had been conducted on the issue. Tuvalu requested support from the international community to improve that area. 67. Concerning corporal punishment of children in a domestic context, the delegate from the Crown Counsel reported about a workshop conducted by the Red Cross society to formulate a policy for the child protection, which covered protection of children, inter alia, from physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse. He expressed hope that with additional assistance the policy would come into effect soon. He also called for amendments to the Education Act to prohibit corporal punishment. 68. France welcomed the willingness of Tuvalu to defend human rights, despite the economic and financial constraints and environmental challenges it faced. It particularly welcomed the action taken by Tuvalu to combat poverty and to promote quasi-universal access to health services and education. France made recommendations. 69. Germany welcomed the visit of the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. Referring to the Constitution Amendment Act, Germany asked Tuvalu how the Government intended to guarantee the right of every person to freedom of religion or belief in the application of the act. It welcomed recent steps to strengthen the legal and social status of women, but was concerned that neither the Constitution nor other legislation embodied the principle of gender equality, nor contained a definition of discrimination against women. Germany made recommendations. 70. Guatemala welcomed the development of policies to promote human rights, particularly the National Women’s Policy, the National Youth Policy, the Inclusive Education Policy and the National Strategic Development Plan. It shared the concerns of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women at the lack of public awareness of women’s rights and gender equality; at women’s lack of awareness of their rights; and at the paternal transmission of land ownership. While welcoming improvements on the matter, it urged Tuvalu to continue efforts to promote gender equality throughout the country. Guatemala made recommendations. 71. Hungary took note of the cooperation with OHCHR and the expertise extended by CEDAW and the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. It recognized efforts to eliminate gender inequalities but encouraged the country to include gender as a prohibited ground for discrimination in the Constitution. Hungary believed that free and universal primary education should be accessible to both urban and rural areas and gender equality should be incorporated into the higher education levels. It was concerned that corporal punishment of children was still lawful in schools. It noted the Inclusive Education Policy and encouraged increased participation of persons with disabilities in formal decision levels. Hungary made recommendations. 72. Indonesia welcomed the Second National Strategic Development Plan and its midterm review, whose key national priorities demonstrated the commitment of Tuvalu to human rights. It agreed with the importance of technical and financial assistance from regional and international development partners in implementing those priorities. It commended measures adopted to raise public awareness of the rights of vulnerable groups, including women and persons with disabilities. It welcomed the adoption of the Police Powers and Duties Act, which would help to eradicate domestic violence. Indonesia made recommendations. 73. Ireland, noting the adverse impact of sea-level rise on food security, water and health on the people of Tuvalu, welcomed the Government’s position on the need for the international community to address the human rights dimensions of climate change. Ireland 11