A/HRC/12/14 Page 12 particular where juveniles are concerned; (e) allowing access to these facilities to civil society organizations; (f) ensuring effective investigation into all allegations of torture or mistreatment; and (g) strengthening the functioning of its judiciary and its human rights institutional framework and promote concrete programmes to raise awareness of human rights, in particular among judges and lawyers, but also among general public. 47. The United States of America asked about Vanuatu’s plan to specifically improve accountability and transparency in the public sector. It recommended (a) allocating more funding to the Ombudsman to allow for more aggressive prosecution of corruption cases; and (b) amending the judicial rules so that the Ombudsman’s reports are more easily admissible in court. With regard to the Ministry of Justice and Social Welfare’s appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the allegations about human rights abuses by correctional services officers and the police, the United States asked about the timeline for the conclusion of the study by this Commission and the manner of implementation of its recommendations by the Government. It recommended that the Government (c) ensure a thorough and timely investigation by the Ministry of Justice and Social Welfare of the allegations in the detainee report and subsequently reform the practices of the Correctional Services officers and police forces as needed. 48. Ghana noted measures to ensure respect for human rights, including the provision of affordable legal services to local defendants, enactment of the Leadership Code Act which forbids a leader from using public money for personal gain, ensuring transparency in the use of public money allocated to Members of Parliament, the Family Protection Act and the high priority placed on education. Acknowledging the difficulties resulting from environmental vulnerability and limited resources, Ghana encouraged the Government to continue to pursue the initiatives outlined in the report with a view to addressing the human rights issues. Ghana asked if the limited participation of women in politics was due to lack of education or to cultural and other social impediments, and how this would be addressed. Noting the two unfortunate scenarios which occur during elections, as described in the national report, Ghana recommended that (a) action be expedited to address the two issues through the proposed amendment of the Representation of the People Act. 49. Italy commended Vanuatu for its stance on the abolition of the death penalty and recommended (a) considering acceding to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Aiming at the Abolition of the Death Penalty. Noting the concerns of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women about the use of customary methods of punishment in cases of rape, which may represent a substitue for the punishment of offenders provided for in the law, Italy recommended (b) pursuing efforts towards ensuring equal rights for men and women; (c) continuing to act upon the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women; and (d) fully incorporating the provisions of CEDAW into domestic legislation. 50. The Philippines congratulated the Government for ratification of CEDAW, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Noting Vanuatu’s development of a policy on free primary education, it recommended (a) continuing its efforts in this regard; and (b) continuing to enhance access to basic health services, especially for children. Noting Vanuatu’s vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change, which clearly affect development and human rights, it asked how the Government was addressing the negative effects of these on the rights to life and adequate housing, among others. It recommended that (c) with the support and