A/HRC/17/2 the same sex and combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Amnesty International welcomed the endorsement of the recommendations to tackle violence against women, and called on the Government to keep under consideration the recommendations aimed at revising the age of criminal responsibility. 537. Federatie van Nederlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie Van Homoseksualiteit-COC Nederland was pleased that Saint Kitts and Nevis had accepted a recommendation to combat discrimination on all grounds, including on sexual orientation and gender identity. COC Nederland was concerned that Saint Kitts and Nevis had not accepted the recommendations on decriminalizing sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex and repealing laws that discriminated against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. COC Nederland believed that such decriminalization should not be a matter of the majority view of the society. While recalling a statement made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in this regard, COC Nederland held the view that such criminalization was a form of discrimination in itself, impeding access of citizens to their social and economic rights. COC Nederland recalled that social and cultural change came with public awareness and education. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 538. While the recommendations were challenging and work was still to be done, Saint Kitts and Nevis hoped they would ultimately lead to a constructive process of advancing towards the full realization of human rights in the Federation, based upon the rule of law and the fundamental freedoms of all its people. 539. Saint Kitts and Nevis was confronted by hurricanes and droughts, financial retrenchment, global warming and crime, and would require international support and technical assistance from OHCHR, other international institutions and States Members of the United Nations to implement the recommendations. Saint Kitts and Nevis made a call for assistance to the international community and other developing countries in this regard. 540. The involvement of civil society in the follow-up to the universal periodic review was a key to ensuring a vibrant democracy, which was the reason why Saint Kitts and Nevis had committed to regular engagement with its civil society, to comply with its international obligations. 541. Saint Kitts and Nevis thanked all delegations and non-governmental organizations that had interacted with it in a bona fide spirit of cooperation and that had contributed useful comments, meaningful suggestions and practical ideas. The delegation of Saint Kitts and Nevis recognized in particular the efforts of OHCHR to provide Member States, especially small delegations like its own, with information and guidance in preparation for the follow-up process to the universal periodic review. Saint Kitts and Nevis looked forward to working with all stakeholders during the implementation and follow-up phase, and to its second review. Sao Tome and Principe 542. The review of Sao Tome and Principe was held on 31 January 2011 in conformity with all the relevant provisions contained in Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, and was based on the following documents: (a) The national report submitted by Sao Tome and Principe in accordance with the annex to resolution 5/1, paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/10/STP/1); (b) The compilation prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/10/STP/2); GE.12-13630 165