A/HRC/15/14 12. In response to an advance question, the delegation stated that the veto power of the Minister of Mines was used only in relation to large-scale mining deemed to be in the national interest. Since the enactment of the legislation in 2006, there had been no such case. The delegation clarified that communities had veto power in relation to small- and medium-scale mining and that several were engaged in these. The delegation noted that, with regard to the rights of indigenous peoples, Guyana had come a long way in a short period of time. 13. In response to the advance question relating to the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Guyana was not a party, the consideration of these had advanced significantly. In relation to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, it continued to be under consideration. 14. In response to an advance question, the delegation stated that outstanding reports to the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women had been submitted on 28 April and 7 May 2010, respectively. The delegation indicated that the report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child highlighted the many positive interventions for the protection of children, which included major legislative reform. The legislative reform process continued, with the consideration of a Juvenile Justice Bill, the Custody, Care, Guardianship and Maintenance Bill, and the Child Care Services Bill. 15. Concerning the question regarding the impact of the Child Care Protection Agency (established in July 2009), the delegation stated that to date, 1,500 children had received care. Of these, 160 had been placed in a Government-assisted centre owing to high-risk situations, 127 cases were with the police for further investigation, 71 were before the court, and 651 children and their families had been counselled. The delegation, in response to an advance question, stated that the dialogue on corporal punishment continued and was part and parcel of the consultations on the new draft Education Act agreed to by Parliament. 16. In relation to the advance questions concerning women, the delegation noted that the report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women described the status of women, including measures to reduce violence against women, such as the Sexual Offences Bill, and the increased participation of women at all levels of Government and national life. The level of domestic and sexual violence against women remained a concern and continued to be addressed through the national stakeholders-Government partnership. 17. With regard to the advance questions concerning discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, the delegation indicated that no cases involving the harassment of lesbian or gay persons had been received by the Government through any of its complaint mechanisms. There had been one case in which a person had been charged with cross-dressing, and the matter was still before the court. Changes to laws required widespread consultation and a major change in attitude on the part of the populace. The Government’s attempt to include the phrase “sexual orientation” in the anti-discrimination clause of the Constitution had been met with widespread consternation and protest. 18. Similarly, the issue of capital punishment had been met with an overwhelming call for its retention in the law books. No executions had taken place over the past decade, and any change in the status quo would have to be carried out with the involvement and acceptance of the people. 19. With regard to the advance questions concerning the security sector, the excessive use of force, and human rights training, the delegation stated that the Constitution protected citizens from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Following a very violent crime wave from 2002 to 2008, increased budgetary and technical 5