A/HRC/26/9 32. Brazil noted with satisfaction that Vanuatu had been the first Pacific country to ratify CAT. It expressed appreciation for the State’s efforts to implement the Family Protection Act, notably making legal aid available to domestic violence victims and raising awareness. It was concerned that the minimum age for criminal responsibility remained low and regretted that the country had yet to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). It encouraged Vanuatu to continue its efforts to align its national legislation with international human rights law. It asked what measures had been taken to ensure that the births of all children were registered. Brazil made recommendations 33. Montenegro commended the introduction of several significant law reforms in the previous period, but expressed concern at the number of important United Nations conventions not signed by Vanuatu. It also noted concerns about the minimum age of criminal responsibility and the age at which children could be taken to custody. It asked for information on the Government’s intention to raise the age of criminal responsibility. Montenegro noted that, according to United Nations Joint Presences, Vanuatu had one of the highest rates of incest in the region. It asked what specific measures had been taken to prevent child, early and forced marriages. Montenegro made recommendations. 34. China noted efforts to implement accepted recommendations from the first review, particularly the ratification of CRPD, the incorporation of CRC provisions into domestic legislation, measures to protect the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities, improvements in prison conditions and the introduction of human rights education programmes, including at the regional level. It commended the progress achieved. China acknowledged the challenges faced and called on the international community to provide effective help to the country. China made recommendations. 35. Cuba noted that, despite difficulties, Vanuatu had prioritized the protection of human rights and congratulated the country for the implementation of previous UPR recommendations. It commended the implementation of policies to guarantee the socioeconomic and cultural rights of its people, especially in the areas of education, health care and gender equality. Those measures had improved the standards of protection, in particular towards eliminating discrimination against women and guaranteeing access for children and young persons to basic health care and education. Cuba made a recommendation. 36. Estonia welcomed accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the ratification of UNCAC and CAT. It invited the Government to ratify the Kampala amendments to the Rome Statute and the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the ICC. It appreciated the progress in the implementation of CEDAW and the Family Protection Act and encouraged full incorporation of CEDAW provisions into domestic legislation. It invited the Government to provide the Department of Women’s Affairs with the capacity and resources necessary and to continue efforts to ensure equal opportunities for quality education throughout the country. Estonia made recommendations. 37. France requested information on progress made in renovating the Port Vila prisons. It commended Vanuatu on its accession to CAT and UNCAC and asked about implementation of the latter, in particular with respect to measures to prevent corruption and the promotion of transparency in the public and private sector. France made recommendations. 38. Germany commended efforts to improve the human rights situation in Vanuatu, including measures introduced to provide free primary education, progress made with respect to access to safe drinking water and first steps taken to establish a national human rights institution. Germany made recommendations. 7