A/HRC/40/17 79. Iraq welcomed the policies and programmes of the Government to promote and protect human rights, including a plan to implement the recommendations from the previous review cycle. 80. Ireland welcomed the steps taken by the Government to amend the antidiscrimination legal framework in order to include sexual orientation, gender identity and religion as prohibited grounds for discrimination. It noted with appreciation the commitment of the Government to take measures to combat trafficking in persons and provide assistance to the victims. 81. Italy commended Malta for ratifying the Istanbul Convention and for its efforts to eradicate gender discrimination through awareness-raising campaigns in the education field, promote gender equality in employment and uphold the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities through equal opportunities. 82. Japan welcomed the efforts made by Malta to combat violence against women, including through the ratification of the Istanbul Convention. It noted with appreciation the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. 83. Jordan commended Malta for the steps it had taken to implement the recommendations from the previous review cycle and to establish a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles, as well as the legislative reforms enacted to integrate the international treaties to which Malta was a party. 84. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic commended Malta for making good progress in implementing the recommendations from the previous review cycle, including those relevant to the rights of children, women and persons with disabilities. 85. Libya commended Malta for the efforts it had made to implement the recommendations from the previous review cycle, particularly those aimed at strengthening the protection of the rights of women and children and the health and education sectors, and for its cooperation with the international human rights mechanisms. 86. Maldives commended Malta for the efforts it had made to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities through the national policy on the rights of persons with disabilities and the Persons with Disabilities (Employment) Act. 87. Mexico noted the establishment of the Council for Women’s Rights, which aimed at integrating equality in all government processes, the ratification of Protocol No. 12 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights) and the entry into force of the amendments to the Persons with Disabilities (Employment) Act. 88. Montenegro commended Malta for strengthening its national normative framework for human rights. It encouraged Malta to make further progress in setting up a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles. It noted the ratification by Malta of the Istanbul Convention and the measures it had taken to bring its legislation into line with the provisions of the Convention. 89. Nepal noted with appreciation the implementation of the National Strategic Policy for Poverty Reduction and for Social Inclusion using a human rights-based approach to achieve socioeconomic development. It also noted the measures taken to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence and to uphold the rights of children. 90. The Netherlands commended Malta for its legislative measures to ensure the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and for its commitment to establish an independent human rights institution. It expressed concern about the safety of journalists. It regretted that abortion remained a criminal offence, under all circumstances. 91. The Philippines commended Malta for taking legislative measures aimed at protecting human rights and for its efforts to promote the participation of women in political life and gender equality in employment; as well as its enhancement of the safeguards against trafficking in persons through the adoption of a national action plan. 9