A/HRC/38/12 for the management of sexual offence cases, and offered a rights-based approach to the treatment of complaints and vulnerable witnesses, including children, involved in sexual assault cases. 79. Chile was pleased that Barbados had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a recommendation that it had accepted in the second cycle, and encouraged the country to continue working for its effective implementation. The adoption of the Trafficking in Persons Prevention Act, which criminalized various forms of trafficking in human beings, was a substantial step forward in the fight against trafficking and modern forms of slavery. It commended Barbados for applying this Act, while taking into special consideration the situation of women and children. 80. China noted the Growth and Development Strategy 2013–2020 of Barbados in promoting economic and social development, and the protection of the rights to education and health by providing free education and health services. It also noted that Barbados had made positive progress in promoting gender equality, protecting the rights of women, children, the disabled and other vulnerable groups, and combating domestic violence. 81. Côte d’Ivoire commended the efforts of Barbados to promote and protect human rights. It welcomed the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and encouraged taking the necessary measures for its effective implementation. It appreciated the cooperation of Barbados with OHCHR and other United Nations mechanisms, particularly with regard to capacity-building and technical assistance in the field of human rights. 82. Cuba commended Barbados for maintaining a constant commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. It emphasized that free education and health systems had been maintained, and a social welfare system reached the most needy. It also noted the actions to promote the participation of young people in political processes, such as the creation of the National Youth Parliament. It highlighted the actions that had been carried out to combat domestic violence and those that were being applied to gender issues. 83. Denmark stated that ensuring full and effective gender equality and the protection of women and girls against all forms of discrimination were crucial when seeking to advance the respect for and protection of human rights and should be a key objective also in relation to ensuring socially and economically sustainable societies. It noted that during the second cycle, it was recommended that Barbados ratify the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. By ratifying the Convention, Barbados would join more than 160 States parties in the unequivocal message that torture could never be tolerated. Denmark urged Barbados to explore assistance through the Convention against Torture Initiative. 84. Ecuador expressed its appreciation for the efforts of Barbados to comply with the recommendations received in its second cycle, especially for its legislation against different types of discrimination, which sought to guarantee the rights of historically marginalized groups. Ecuador also highlighted the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as a significant step forward in the protection and promotion of the rights of that group, and it wished Barbados every success in their proper implementation. 85. France welcomed the progress made in Barbados since 2013 in combating domestic violence against women, the creation of the Bureau of Gender Affairs and the launch of programmes that had led to a reduction in the number of recorded incidents of violence. It also welcomed the fact that Barbados had strengthened equality between men and women and made progress in combating violence against children. 86. Georgia noted with appreciation the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by Barbados and encouraged the country to accelerate its efforts towards elaboration of a national policy on disability. It welcomed the steps aimed at tackling domestic violence through passing the Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) (Amendment) Act, as well as establishment of the Family Conflict Intervention Unit. It underlined the importance of further strengthening policies in that regard. 87. Germany commended Barbados for its ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its efforts to draft anti-discrimination law. However, it remained concerned about the death penalty and corporal punishment of children. 9