A/HRC/32/13 17. The delegation stated that the authorities were reviewing the National Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman of Seychelles, in order to strengthen both institutions. Seychelles looked forward to having a national human rights institution which was fully compliant with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the “Paris Principles”). 18. Regarding the penitentiary system, the delegation noted that the main prison had been refurbished, and now included, among other things, a medical facility, an auditorium, a classroom, a library, a gymnasium and a laundry room. A unit for vulnerable prisoners, such as those who were at risk of harm, persons with disabilities and elderly persons, was also under construction. The delegation added that numerous measures had been put in place for prisoners’ rehabilitation, including the resettlement day release programme and an outreach programme, which allowed prisoners to leave the prison to do voluntary work in the community. 19. The delegation reported that, following universal periodic review recommendations received in 2011, Seychelles had issued a standing invitation to the special procedure mandate holders. Since then, Seychelles had hosted the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education and the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children. Both rapporteurs had issued recommendations which the Government was in the process of implementing. 20. The delegation recalled that the Seychelles Human Rights Treaty Committee had been established in 2012. That coordinative committee, composed of governmental and non-governmental agencies, was primarily tasked with assisting in the preparation of treaty reports, ensuring the dissemination of treaties and treaty body recommendations and promoting the conformity of national laws with accepted human rights standards. The delegation reported that, since its previous review, Seychelles had submitted reports under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. Reports to other treaty bodies under the corresponding conventions were also being finalized. 21. The delegation added that the Seychelles Human Rights Treaty Committee was also charged with overseeing the development of a five-year national action plan on human rights, which should be adopted and implemented very soon. 22. The delegation took the opportunity of the universal periodic review to present its call for the world to pay attention to the issue of protecting the environment, especially reducing gas emissions, given the irrefutable link between climate change, the environment and human rights. The delegation further called for that issue to continue being formally and urgently addressed under the legal frameworks of the United Nations and the Human Rights Council. The delegation reported the creation a new governmental department for climate change and energy, as well the adoption of numerous measures and projects to mitigate the effects of climate change in Seychelles, which included flood mitigation, increased drainage and recharging sandbanks. 23. The delegation noted that Seychelles had been advocating the concept of the blue economy, which referred to those economic activities which directly or indirectly took place in the ocean and in coastal areas and used outputs from the ocean, as well as the contribution of those activities to economic growth and social, cultural and environmental well-being. A new blue economy department had been established under the governmental structure to implement that goal. 24. To conclude, the delegation stated that Seychelles remained dedicated to progress and improvement in human rights and would continue working with civil society and the National Human Rights Commission in the follow-up to the dialogue. 5