A/HRC/38/5 religion and race, but did not define or recognize discrimination based on gender or other grounds, Uruguay expressed the hope that gender and sexual orientation could be included as prohibited grounds of discrimination. 86. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela noted the important legislative initiatives, including the new Education Act (2013), which set the age of compulsory schooling between 4 and 18 years, and imposed on parents the obligation to school their children. It welcomed the approval of the National Policy on Disability and Inclusive Development 2014–2018. It also welcomed the fact that Tonga had become a Member State of ILO as of February 2016, a sign of its commitment to decent employment opportunities, the increase of social protection and the strengthening of dialogue on issues related to the right to work. 87. Algeria welcomed the development of the national development policy (2014–2018) and the strategic development framework (2015–2025). It noted the important legislative measures taken by Tonga to harmonize national law with international human rights norms. It also noted with satisfaction the efforts and results achieved by Tonga in the fields of education, health and poverty reduction. 88. Angola welcomed the successful 2014 elections in Tonga and its commitment to human rights. While highlighting the importance of the creation of a human rights institution to promote, protect, coordinate and oversee human rights issues, as well as to assist in the implementation of the recommendations made during the review, Angola appealed to Tonga to work towards that end. It also encouraged Tonga to reinforce legal mechanisms for the protection of the child. 89. Australia acknowledged the efforts by Tonga to improve human rights, including through the enactment of the Family Protection Act 2013, the introduction of a national disability inclusiveness policy, the improvement of access to health services for people with disabilities, the establishment of the Ombudsman’s Office, and the progress on work towards a landmark employment relations bill. It also commended Tonga on the well-run, peaceful elections held in November 2017. While noting the country’s continuing efforts to promote gender equality, Australia expressed concern about the high rates of domestic violence. It also noted that Tonga had not carried out the death penalty for some time. 90. Azerbaijan was encouraged by the continuing constitutional and political reforms in Tonga, the fact that Tonga was on a path towards stronger democracy marked by progress in a number of areas, including the establishment of the Ombudsman’s Office, and the 2014 general elections, which had been deemed free and fair. 91. Argentina congratulated Tonga for the progress made in the field of universal primary education, particularly the adoption of the new Education Act 2013, which set the age of compulsory schooling at 4 to 18 years. It also noted the launching of the “Let girls be girls” campaign. 92. Tonga emphasized that it remained committed to improving the level of implementation of its human rights obligations. It called upon Member States to understand and appreciate the unique circumstances that it faced when advancing human rights protection, such as limited resources, strong cultural values, predominant Christian faith and the growth of liberal ideologies. Furthermore, Tonga called upon Member States to assist and support it in its journey to advance human rights, attaching special priority to those human rights that promoted the rights of all vulnerable members of its society. II. Conclusions and/or recommendations 93. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue/listed below have been examined by Tonga and enjoy the support of Tonga: 93.1 Consider transforming existing ad hoc structures into a national mechanism for coordination, implementation, reporting and follow-up, in line with elements arising from good practices identified in the 2016 OHCHR guide on national mechanisms for reporting and follow-up (Portugal); 11