A/HRC/38/12 rights institution. It also noted with appreciation the work on a framework policy to combat gender discrimination in Barbados. 58. Senegal commended Barbados for the ratification, in 2013, of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and for its cooperation with the special procedure mandate holders. It also commended Barbados for the creation of a national mechanism for reporting and follow-up, participation in the initiatives of the Human Rights Council and activities related to the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. 59. Sierra Leone applauded the commitment of Barbados to human rights in spite of various financial challenges. It welcomed the creation of a national mechanism for reporting and follow-up and encouraged Barbados to accede to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol; withdraw its reservation to the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons; and ratify the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. 60. Singapore welcomed the ratification by Barbados of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It commended initiatives such as the technology programme to improve educational outcomes for blind and visually impaired children and welcomed efforts by Barbados to enhance women’s rights, particularly through its draft national policy on gender. It also commended Barbados for its efforts to promote the human rights of its people and safeguard their economic and social rights, while confronting its economic challenges. 61. Slovenia commended Barbados for the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and encouraged the country to extend a standing invitation to all special procedure mandate holders and respond positively to their requests for official visits. 62. The State of Palestine encouraged Barbados to extend a standing invitation to special procedure mandate holders. It also welcomed the efforts by Barbados to empower women and realize gender equality, including through the drafting of a national policy on gender, and commended the country for the steps it had taken in the area of education, in particular for children with disabilities. 63. Timor-Leste noted with appreciation that Barbados had drafted a national policy on gender. It welcomed the adoption of the Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) (Amendment) Act, 2016, and the establishment, in 2013, of the Family Conflict Intervention Unit. It also commended Barbados for promoting human rights training among members of the Police Force. 64. Trinidad and Tobago acknowledged the progress of Barbados in improving its human rights framework. It also appreciated the steps taken to address domestic violence, including by establishing the Family Conflict Intervention Unit and updating relevant legislation, and acknowledged the efforts made to improve the Police Force. It was pleased by the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and welcomed the efforts of Barbados to improve the lives of such persons. 65. Ukraine acknowledged the positive steps taken by Barbados with respect to the implementation of the recommendations accepted during previous cycles, in particular the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and improvements in the professionalism of the Police Force. It encouraged Barbados to take further measures to advance human rights. 66. The United Kingdom welcomed the commitment by Barbados to protect and promote human rights, especially the rights of children, but noted the need for further progress in the area of violence against women and the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons against discrimination. It urged Barbados to amend the legislation so as to abolish the mandatory death penalty and noted that the country did not have a national human rights institution. 67. The United States of America was pleased to note the strong respect of Barbados for human rights. Nevertheless, it was concerned about lengthy pretrial detention, insufficient action on corruption and reports of sex trafficking of children. 68. Uruguay welcomed the progress and legislative reforms of Barbados in combating discrimination against women. It also welcomed the new legislation that was being 7