A/HRC/16/14 Rapporteur on torture and asked whether Jamaica was considering extending a standing invitation to all procedures. It made recommendations. 73. Mexico recognized the steps forward in fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals and invited Jamaica to continue its efforts to combat violence against women and the ill treatment of children. It inquired about the status of implementation of the conclusions of the Working Group on the reform of the judicial system, and requested information about the recommendations that were still to be implemented. Mexico made recommendations. 74. Portugal inquired whether Jamaica intended to amend its legal provisions to replace the death penalty with other penalties. Portugal noted that the Special Rapporteur on Torture visited Jamaica and inquired about what measures were being taken to tackle the reported situations of inhuman conditions in its custodial facilities. Portugal further inquired about the measures taken to implement the right of access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. It made recommendations. 75. Chile noted the progress made in achieving the MDGs. It noted the challenges relating to security and asked for more information on the plans and programs to reduce violence and the specific measures to modernize the police forces. Chile underscored the importance of heeding the request for technical assistance formulated by Jamaica in its national report. Chile made recommendations. 76. Panama welcomed the steps forward concerning the MDGs and inquired about the specific actions Jamaica is undertaking to guarantee real gender balance. It noted with interest the various projects benefiting persons with disabilities. Panama recognized the social challenges that Jamaica faces particularly in relation to the persisting phenomenon of violence and insecurity. Panama made recommendations. 77. Argentina underscored the advances made by Jamaica in the field of human rights. It welcomed Jamaica significant steps towards the achievement of the MDGs such as reducing the poverty rate and guaranteeing universal primary education. Argentina made recommendations. 78. Germany stated that in 2006, CEDAW noted a number of concerns and urged Jamaica to put in place specified measures in relation to discrimination against women. In this regard, Germany requested to know about the follow-up by Jamaica. Germany noted the recommendations by the Special Rapporteur for Torture in relation allegations of illtreatment and excessive use of force and requested to know about Jamaica’s follow-up to these recommendations. Germany made recommendations. 79. South Africa encouraged Jamaica to finalize the National Policy for Gender Equality and requested further information on steps taken to address CEDAW’s concerns about the extent, intensity and prevalence of violence against women, especially sexual violence. South Africa commented upon the ratification of international human rights instruments and commended Jamaica for its important role in establishing the permanent memorial at the United Nations to the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. It made recommendations. 80. Nicaragua commended Jamaica for the advancements in complying with its human rights obligations, reflected in the reduction of extreme poverty, malnutrition and hunger as well as in the advances in education and public health. Nicaragua welcomed Jamaica multifaceted strategy to combat crime, in particular the existence of the Ombudsman Office as one of the constitutional mechanisms to investigate cases of human rights violations. Nicaragua made recommendations. 81. Trinidad and Tobago stated that Jamaica was a country that had a great sense of fair play and justice and to do what was right. It drew attention to police training programmes and to the Government’s introduction of a Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Constitutional 11