A/HRC/30/13 Head of the Public Service Commission. The Marshall Islands strived to bring forward its goals of gender equality in that small country. 32. In terms of public health, the Marshall Islands had some of the best records in both follow-up and treatment of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. 33. The Marshall Islands appreciated comments regarding its continuous efforts to secure justice for people who had been exposed to radiation during the nuclear testing program and their descendants. It was working on solving issues regarding claims that had been adjudicated but not paid and also on holding the United States responsible for the monitoring of exposed areas and homelands that could not be resettled because of the high level of radiation. That continued to be work in progress. The Marshall Islands had reached some milestones but there were still many impediments to the final resolution of that issue beginning with the freedom and access to information which it knew the United States possessed but never shared, invoking security reasons. 34. Sweden referred to the Committee on the Rights of the Child’s recommendation to the Marshall Islands that corporal punishment of children be prohibited in all settings and that the Criminal Code authorized the use of force to correct children’s misconduct. It pointed out that despite legal prohibition, violence against women was a widespread problem. Sweden made recommendations. 35. Thailand welcomed legislative and political reforms, in particular the adoption of the Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Act 2011, the new Criminal Code and the active cooperation with international organizations. It encouraged the Marshall Islands to intensify its efforts to adopt and apply a global national policy on disabilities. It also encouraged awareness-raising programmes to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and early pregnancy. Thailand made recommendations. 36. Timor-Leste noted with appreciation the adoption of a new law on education in 2013 that ensured the right to education, as well as the adoption of the Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Act. It mentioned that the Marshall Islands was in the process of reviewing its legislation concerning persons with disabilities. Timor-Leste made recommendations. 37. The United Kingdom commended the efforts of the Marshall Islands to implement recommendations, despite capacity and resource challenges. It welcomed measures to combat gender-based violence and protect the rights of children. It was concerned that levels of sexual and gender-based violence remained high and encouraged the Marshall Islands to take further action in that area and ensure that perpetrators of domestic violence were prosecuted. The United Kingdom made recommendations. 38. The United States indicated that the Government had approved the formation of a National Task Force on Human Trafficking, but stated that it had not demonstrated efforts to prosecute alleged traffickers, protect victims or prevent trafficking. It said that additional government efforts were needed to raise awareness and enforce laws prohibiting employment discrimination, particularly with regard to persons with disabilities. The United States made recommendations. 39. Uruguay congratulated the Marshall Islands on the recent ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and encouraged it to continue its efforts aimed at harmonizing domestic legislation with international human rights obligations. Uruguay made recommendations. 40. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela listed the legislative changes that had taken place during the past years, such as the new Penal Code and the Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Act 2011. It highlighted the National Strategic Plan of 2014, the 8

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