A/HRC/34/11 15. Timor-Leste reaffirmed its commitment to fully guarantee freedom of expression, information, assembly and association and freedom of the press, as demonstrated by Statesponsored training for journalists, funding for media outlets and institutional and legislative initiatives. Recent examples included the establishment of the Timor-Leste News Agency and the adoption of the 2014 Media Law, which defended the freedom of the press and ensured access to information and in accordance with which, the Press Council had been established to regulate the media. 16. While acknowledging criticism of the joint operations of the National Police Force of Timor-Leste and the Armed Forces of Timor-Leste, the delegation confirmed that the initiative had been undertaken in compliance with the Constitution and domestic law. The security forces received formal training on human rights and the operation had been a necessary response to threats to national security by illegal armed groups, including recent attacks on the police in Baguia. 17. The head of the delegation regretted the fact that Timor-Leste had failed to provide timely responses to requests made during the period under review by the Human Rights Council, the treaty bodies, including the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, and the special procedure mandate holders, including the special rapporteurs on the independence of judges and lawyers, on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. Timor-Leste was working to improve communication channels and was committed to the United Nations system and to implementing the human rights instruments. 18. Timor-Leste was committed to ratifying the international instruments to which it had not yet acceded. However, that would be a gradual process in order to ensure that the conditions necessary for implementation were in place prior to ratification. While it had not formally ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Timor-Leste had nevertheless laid the groundwork for implementing the obligations under the Convention through the adoption of the National Policy for the Inclusion and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the drafting of the National Mental Health Strategy. Similarly, it had incorporated into its national legal framework a minimum employment age and prohibitions on forced labour, despite not having formally ratified the relevant International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions. 19. Efforts were being made to promote the rights of women, establish gender equality and combat gender-based violence not only through national legislation but also by taking an integrated multisectoral approach. The draft tutelary and educational law for minors was in the final stage of review and had recently been discussed by the Council of Ministers. Action was being taken to combat violence against children, including the implementation of a zero-tolerance policy on corporal punishment in schools. 20. Timor-Leste planned to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Efforts were being made to disseminate information on human rights legislation, including the Law against Domestic Violence. Accountability mechanisms were in place to respond to instances of non-compliance by security forces with human rights obligations. Initiatives were under way to ensure universal and free access to basic education for all children, and to adopt policies guaranteeing inclusive education for girls, persons with disabilities and persons with special needs. 21. Timor-Leste was unequivocally committed to human rights and was ready to openly and positively receive all constructive comments and recommendations from the delegations present. The outcome of the review would doubtless have an extremely positive impact by strengthening the efforts of Timor-Leste to promote human rights. 5