A/HRC/38/5 Disability and Inclusive Development 2014–2018 and the launch of the Revised National Policy on Gender and Development. It remained committed to supporting the development of Tonga through the technical cooperation package for small island developing States and the sustainable development package, under the Singapore Cooperation Programme. 78. Slovenia noted with appreciation some positive measures taken by the Government with regard to the participation of women in political and public life. It encouraged Tonga to continue such efforts, especially by removing loopholes in national legislation and encouraging the participation of women in economy and politics. It noted concerns about the protection of children in criminal proceedings and the use of corporal punishment as a sentence by the courts for all persons. It also expressed concern about reports that corporal punishment remained widespread in the country, including in primary and secondary school settings. 79. Thailand noted as positive the work by Tonga to promote women’s participation in political life and decision-making. It welcomed the progress made to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education and the ongoing implementation of the revised National Policy on Gender and Development. It also noted as positive the increase in the number of female prison officers and human rights training for prison officers. 80. Timor-Leste welcomed the adoption of a New Education Act that provided for compulsory education between the ages of 4 and 18 years, and established the principle of inclusive education for children with special needs. It expressed concern about the cases of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity while commending Tonga for hosting in May 2015 a Pacific human rights conference on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning persons. 81. Turkey welcomed the efforts of Tonga to introduce constitutional reforms aimed at widening the country’s democratic space, as well as the positive steps taken in recent years to consolidate the rule of law and democracy. Turkey noted that Tonga had the highest government spending on education in the Pacific, highlighting that the expansion of free basic education in Tonga enabled access to primary schooling for children from all segments of society. Turkey encouraged Tonga to amend the Land Act, particularly its provision forbidding women from inheriting land. 82. Ukraine welcomed the endorsement of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the adoption of the Family Protection Act (2013) aimed at combating domestic violence, and the progress made towards achieving universal primary education of children. It reiterated the United Nations country team’s recommendation that Tonga assess periodically the impact of climate change and natural disasters, particularly in relation to the enjoyment of human rights by the poor and lower-income segments of the population. 83. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland encouraged Tonga to ratify the core human rights conventions and to establish a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles. It welcomed the efforts by Tonga to promote female candidates in national elections. However, it noted that female participation in Tongan politics remained low while encouraging Tonga to further promote the inclusion of women in politics. It expressed concern that Tongan legislation continued to criminalize consensual same-sex conduct, while noting that there had been no recent prosecutions under the legislation. It urged Tonga to repeal all such provisions and ensure antidiscrimination laws also covered sexual orientation. It also welcomed the country’s membership of ILO in 2016 while encouraging Tonga to ratify the key ILO conventions. 84. The United States of America welcomed the recent successful national elections and the announcement by Tonga that it would open a free legal centre for women who were survivors of sexual or domestic violence. It encouraged Tonga to decriminalize lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex status and conduct, increase free legal aid and implement policies to increase women’s participation at all levels of government. 85. Uruguay welcomed efforts by Tonga to combat trafficking in persons, and its consideration of acceding to various international human rights instruments. While noting that the Constitution of Tonga prohibited discrimination on the basis of social class, 10