A/HRC/10/84 Page 6 and recommended that it step up efforts to raise the awareness of the population of the impact of climate change and involve the population more in decision-making processes for mitigating and adapting to the consequences of such changes. 23. The Philippines referred to the provision of free universal access to medical services and primary education as progressive measures. It noted that Tuvalu had indicated its interest in establishing an independent national human rights institution, and stated that the Philippines would welcome engaging in a cooperative dialogue on the matter. It recalled that the possibility of providing technical assistance could also be explored, and that the universal periodic review is a means by which countries can identify areas of common interest and establish capacitybuilding partnerships. The Philippines greatly appreciated the State’s principled stance to raise awareness of the need to combat climate change, which threatens all aspects of life, especially in island nations. The Philippines recommended that Tuvalu continue to play an active role in promoting international cooperation to combat climate change. It appreciative that the national report indicated that more needed to be done to improve women’s rights in domestic law and to counter discrimination based on belief. The Philippines recommended that Tuvalu continue to strengthen measures to promote the equal rights of women and to counter discrimination. It expressed its awareness that ratification of international human rights treaties could be a heavy burden on small countries with limited institutional and resource capacities. Nevertheless, the Philippines encouraged Tuvalu to consider possible ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 24. Turkey stated that the three basic documents of the review demonstrated that the overall performance of Tuvalu in the field of human rights is positive. It understood that capacitybuilding and technical assistance are fundamental requirements for further progress. It noted that legislative reform on the punishment of sexual abuse of children, land and family laws appear to be the main priorities, and believed that the State’s intention to establish a national human rights commission and a human rights office is remarkable. Turkey recommended that Tuvalu continue its cooperation with OHCHR, with a view to making necessary improvements in these fields. It praised Tuvalu, especially with regard to access to basic health services and formal education. Turkey encouraged the Government to continue to work with civil society, as well as OHCHR, particularly towards the elimination of gender-based discrimination and other appropriate areas. 25. The Netherlands noted that, although Tuvalu attaches importance to transparency, the laws against corruption are rather weak and the Auditor’s Office, which oversees Government expenditure, is underfunded. It asked whether Tuvalu envisaged actions to improve transparency and if the Government was willing to establish contacts with Transparency International. In noting that violence against women is often overlooked because of the absence of data, the Netherlands was pleased to learn that Tuvalu is collecting data about domestic violence against women and asked whether the Government was willing to act upon the outcome of those data. It noted with appreciation that the law in Tuvalu explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, colour or place of origin. While noting that discrimination on the basis of gender is not prohibited, it considered that the position of women is improving. The Netherlands recommended that Tuvalu adopt a law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender. While commending Tuvalu for a law that provides for granting asylum, the Netherlands noted that lawfully justified asylum-seekers face difficulties with the implementation of this law and recommended that the Government improve the implementation of its law in this respect.