A/HRC/8/48 Page 6 of New Zealand which provided an independent human rights expert. The process of the preparation of the national report resulted not only in a broad consensus on the national report’s contents but also had practical benefits for both civil society and the Government. Such a benefit is the request for funding from the UPR implementation fund to assist civil society to participate in and conduct a programme of civic education. 18. On the question of a national human rights institution, the capacity restrictions already mentioned before makes the establishment of a fully functioning national human rights institution impractical at the present time. However work is in progress at regional level work on practical suggestions for the establishment of human rights institutions in the countries of the Pacific under the Governance Pillar of the Pacific Plan. 19. On the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) much work had been undertaken on the review of the implications of accession, as noted in the Strategic Development Plan Eight. It is now at a stage where it is ready for consideration by the Government. The representative of Tonga noted that its ratification, at this time, may form part of a series of outstanding human rights instruments to be considered as an outcome of the UPR process and within the framework of the ongoing constitutional and political reform. 20. On the question by the United Kingdom regarding the urgent appeal sent by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders in respect of events surrounding the November 2006 riots, she indicated that those matters are before the courts. 21. On the issue of the protection of the freedom of the media, she noted that in addition to the protection provided by the Constitution and other related legislation, the Government has cooperated with the media to establish an independent media council. It has facilitated short training courses for both Government officials and private sector in media presentation and public relations. The Government further supports the development of a full professional media and journalism course. An example is the certificate and diploma in media and journalism, which is a product of the commitment of the media industry, the vocational education sector and Government to provide affordable access to quality accredited training and professional development in media and journalism. The Tonga Institute of Higher Education, together with five other Pacific Island technical institutions (with the support of their respective Governments) and the financial assistance of the Government of Australia has enabled the establishment of this course. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 22. During the ensuing interactive dialogue, 34 delegations made statements praising Tonga for its participation in the UPR process, its high -level representation and the quality of both its presentation and its national report. 23. Mexico acknowledged Tonga’s progress in human development, health and education with gender equality, and noted that international human rights principles were enshrined in the Constitution, despite the fact that Tonga is not party to important human rights treaties. It stressed the importance of Tonga’s requests to the international community to develop its capacities and for technical assistance for human rights. It recommended to Tonga and to relevant actors to attentively follow up the requests for capacity-building and technical assistance for human rights. It requested information on Tonga’s efforts to promote greater awareness of human rights and integrate human rights in the education system at all levels, and provide human rights training for public officials, as well as on the participation of civil society in the promotion and protection of human rights. Mexico recommended that Tonga strengthen its efforts in the area of human rights education, training of