A/HRC/15/3 33. Spain expressed support for Kiribati’s determination to combat the negative consequences of climate change, including its impacts on the enjoyment of most fundamental human rights. Spain made recommendations. 34. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya inquired about the reasons that Kiribati had not ratified core human rights instruments, except for the CEDAW and the CRC. It also inquired about the National Development Plan and its objectives. Libya asked about the progress made in amending the laws protecting women and children. It also asked whether a regional mechanism for human rights had been established and, if so, whether that mechanism was supported by Kiribati. Libya made recommendations. 35. China praised Kiribati’s positive progress in the area of human rights, despite the challenges faced. It also acknowledged that the Government provided free health care and compulsory primary education to its people. China posed two questions: the first concerned the specific human rights affected by climate change, and the second concerned the shortand medium-term plans for coping with it. 36. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed the Government’s willingness to set up a national commission for human rights as early as possible. It requested further information about the Government’s plans to promote gender equality. It also requested information about the timetable for implementing the National Development Plan. In addition, it expressed interest in the Government’s Action Plan on Disability. It made recommendations. 37. Mexico recognized the efforts made by Kiribati to fight poverty and to prevent and eradicate discrimination against people with disabilities, through a national plan of action based on respect for and the promotion of human rights. With regard to Kiribati’s accession to international human rights instruments, it inquired about the need for technical assistance from the international community to permit the ratification of those treaties to which Kiribati was not yet a party, as well as the need to implement those already ratified. Mexico made recommendations. 38. Canada appreciated the open acknowledgement in the national report of the specific human rights challenges faced by Kiribati. Canada was concerned at the fact that schools for people with disabilities did not receive Government support. It also noted that discrimination against women and gender-related violence remained problems, and that physical violence against women in permanent relationships was prevalent. Canada made recommendations. 39. The delegation stated that raising public awareness was the key to understanding the human rights situation in Kiribati. 40. In relation to non-accession to core international human rights treaties, the delegation reaffirmed that Kiribati’s accession to such conventions and treaties would be a costly exercise. Kiribati would therefore need to assess the costs, benefits and obligations associated with acceding to such treaties. Kiribati was in the process of reviewing existing conventions and treaties, and the Government had submitted a list of those conventions to the Cabinet for its consideration. The delegation reaffirmed the need for financial assistance from the international community in that regard. 41. Concerning the issue of discrimination against women, the delegation acknowledged that there was a high rate of such discrimination. Kiribati had been collaborating with civil society organizations to come up with a legislative response to domestic violence. The delegation confirmed that Kiribati would need to come up with specific legislation that would deal with domestic violence, and that the country was making progress in that direction. For victims of domestic violence, counselling services and assistance would be required. 8