A/HRC/8/48 Page 11 fields of inheritance, ownership to land and child support. It also (b) recommended the decriminalization of consensual same-sex activity between adults. It also (c) recommended accession to the core human rights treaties, inter alia, ICCPR, ICESCR, CEDAW and CAT, and that Tonga submit regularly its reports to the treaty bodies of the conventions it is party to, like the Committee on the Rights of the Child and CERD. 40. Turkey, while noting that there is no national human rights institution, welcomed the establishment of a Pacific Complaints Commissioner as well as the Anti-Corruption Commission as important steps in enhancing the rule of law and the promotion of human rights. It noted Tonga’s education indicators and the Tongan Education Support Programme. On the issue of domestic violence, it recommended that Tonga pursue its efforts to curb violence against women. It also recommended that Tonga consider ratifying the core human rights treaties such as ICESCR, ICCPR, CEDAW and CAT. It further encouraged Tonga to continue its endeavours towards better serving its people by securing a higher standard of human rights. 41. Latvia welcomed the fact that corporal punishment is prohibited in schools, but noted that it is lawful in the criminal system. It enquired about measures Tonga is planning to take to prohibit corporal punishment in all settings. Expressing concern at the number of children having to drop out of school, it asked about the measures taken to decrease it. Latvia also stated that Tonga should encourage extending a standing invitation to all special procedures in the nearest future. 42. Brazil welcomed Tonga’s efforts and initiatives in human rights development but noted with concern that it is has not yet acceded to the major international human rights instruments. It asked what concrete policies and laws were being developed to guarantee protection, equality and nondiscrimination of women; what measures were taken to prevent domestic violence against women; and what considerations prevented Tonga’s accession to and ratification of the major universal human rights instruments. It also asked what steps had been taken or were being planned to reform its legal framework to foster integration and harmonization of the provisions of these treaties in its national legislation. It recommended that Tonga take the necessary steps to accede to major international human rights instruments, particularly ICCPR and ICESCR, that it sign the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and that it ratify CEDAW and the Optional Protocol thereto. 43. The Maldives indicated the vital engagement of international organizations and donor States to help Tonga undertake the reforms identified as imperative in the national report. It also indicated that the Special Rapporteurs could offer support in areas such freedom of the press, independence of the judiciary and women’s rights. It noted that the recommendations made by treaty bodies could contribute to encouraging international stakeholders, including OHCHR, to engage with Tonga and extend financial and technical assistance. It sought for more information on Tonga’s views regarding the value of acceding to ICCPR and ICESCR as part of the constitutional review process and whether Tonga has considered engaging with selected Special Rapporteurs in order that they assist in the reviewing of human rights responsibilities, freedoms and obligations as part of the ongoing democratic reform programme. 44. Malaysia noted with encouragement the efforts made by Tonga in submitting and presenting its national report and noted the praiseworthy achievements in various fields, including economic and social spheres, despite the multiple constraints Tonga faced. It noted with interest the introduction of a court diversionary scheme, inter alia, to address the events surrounding the riots in November 2006. It asked whether Tonga is planning to expand the scope of offences to cover those beyond the November riot. It also supported the call on the international donor community to respond favourably to the Government’s request for capacity-building and technical assistance.