A/HRC/54/10 orientation and gender identity. The Bahamas had later reaffirmed its support for the mandate through its vote in favour of the General Assembly resolution (74/394) containing the subsequent report to the Human Rights Council. 10. The Bahamas had ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment on 31 May 2018. 11. An ombudsman bill would be tabled in 2023 with due regard being paid to the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles). The bill had been designed to provide a direct source of relief wherever people had legitimate grievances due to the actions or inaction of the Government or any agency thereof. 12. The Parliamentary Human Rights Committee had been established, the first of its kind in the Bahamas and the third such committee in the Caribbean Community. The Committee would assess and evaluate all matters relating to the protection and enforcement of human rights in the Bahamas; determine the extent to which rights comply with regional and international obligations; make recommendations to guide legislative processes; and hold public hearings on human rights-related issues. 13. The delegation provided information about the Swift Justice Initiative, which had been established to assist the judicial system. In 2023, a Backlog Reduction Committee and a criminal case management reform committee had been established to improve the backlog through a digital case management system for the judiciary. Persons, in particular juveniles, accused of criminal offences and unable to afford an attorney could avail themselves of the services of the Office of the Public Defender, which had been established in 2017. In addition, a family court, under review by a family law committee, was expected to be established by the end of 2023. 14. The COVID-19 pandemic had heightened the challenges related to student attendance, academic achievement and psychological concerns. Greater investments had been made to accommodate persons with disabilities in the education system by using smaller group environments and including such persons in activities and events. Guidance counsellors, public school psychologists and Social Services school welfare officers brought awareness to the mental and emotional health of students in public schools. 15. In the general election held in 2021, for the first time in the history of the Bahamas, approximately 60 women had stood for election, of whom 7 had been successful, which was the largest number of women ever to sit in Parliament. 16. The Government had implemented the national strategic plan to address sexual and gender-based violence. Recent progress achieved as a result of that plan included the establishment of a multisectoral Family Islands coordination council, the tabling of a draft bill that sought to provide protection against all gender-based violence and training provided to primary and secondary schools and civic groups. 17. The Bahamas was prioritizing the eradication of poverty in the country by implementing programmes targeted at the poor and vulnerable sectors. 18. The Bahamas had ratified the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) to establish the right of persons with disabilities to gain access to vocational rehabilitation and employment opportunities. The Access Ability Bahamas mobile application, launched by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in 2022, was used by more than 100 persons and the number was increasing. The application converted text to speech for those with visual impairments and provided closed captioning and access to information and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) alerts for those with hearing impairments. 19. The Government had passed the Mental Health Bill, which complied with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Bill provided for the promotion, protection and enforcement of the rights of persons diagnosed or exhibiting symptoms of mental illness. The delegation also provided information about the establishment of a mental health service board and a mental health review board. GE.23-11804 3