A/HRC/40/17 92. Portugal commended Malta for ratifying Protocol No. 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights in 2015 and for amending its legal framework against discrimination to introduce religion, sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited grounds for discrimination. It also commended the efforts made to protect the rights of migrants. 93. The Republic of Korea noted with appreciation the amendments to the Criminal Code aimed at prohibiting corporal punishment of children and increasing the age of criminal responsibility from 9 to 14 years. It welcomed the criminalization of female genital mutilation. 94. The Republic of Moldova noted the progress made in promoting gender equality, combating discrimination and gender-based violence and improving the child protection framework. In particular, it welcomed the adoption of the Gender-based Violence and Domestic Violence Act, the establishment of the Council for Women’s Rights and the adoption of the Child Protection (Alternative Care) Act, at the centre of which were the child’s best interests. 95. Romania commended Malta for its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and for its constructive engagement with the universal periodic review mechanism. It noted the progress made by the Government in the protection of human rights since the second review cycle. 96. Senegal welcomed the progress made by Malta in implementing the recommendations from the second review cycle. It noted that the institutional and administrative reforms carried out by the Government since 2012 had consolidated respect for civil and political rights. 97. Serbia commended Malta for its efforts and achievements since the previous review cycle and for its constructive approach and open dialogue with the United Nations human rights mechanisms. 98. Singapore welcomed the efforts of the Government to promote the rights of women and gender equality, particularly through the Council for Women’s Rights, the free childcare scheme and the extension of paternity leave for civil servants. It commended Malta for its efforts to combat trafficking in persons and noted the adoption of the Fourth National Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Persons. 99. Slovenia was concerned that the investigation into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia had not managed to find those who had commissioned the killing of the journalist. It noted with appreciation the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and the legislative changes made to the mandate of the existing national human rights institution in order to bring it into line with the Paris Principles. 100. Spain welcomed the efforts made by Malta to eradicate the stereotypes about migrants and combat discrimination against them. It hailed the adoption of the Media and Defamation Act. It appreciated the fact that the age of criminal responsibility had been increased from 9 to 14 years. 101. The State of Palestine welcomed the steps taken by Malta to combat discrimination, including through the extension of the mandate of the National Human Rights and Equality Commission and the Strategy for the Reception of Asylum Seekers and Irregular Migrants. 102. Sweden congratulated Malta for the adoption of a law on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, the steps taken to ensure sexual and reproductive health and rights and the strategy to strengthen the integration of migrants. It noted that the recent murder of the journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia had revealed the risks related to the investigation of corruption, money-laundering and organized crime. 103. Switzerland welcomed the legal amendments made to recognize the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, including the legal recognition of partnerships between same-sex couples. It noted with concern that the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia questioned the status of freedom of expression in Malta, particularly press freedom. 10