A/HRC/30/6 engagement and dialogues among relevant stakeholders would provide an opportunity to increase common understanding of national objectives and programmes for further enhancement of national initiatives. 50. Iraq appreciated measures undertaken in the area of human rights, including the adoption of legislation aimed at ensuring gender equality and the law against trafficking, as well as for judicial reforms. It also commended Mongolia for efforts to address domestic violence, measures to fight corruption and laws to better protect children. Iraq also welcomed the National Action Plan on disabilities. 51. Ireland welcomed the submission of a voluntary mid-term report, the recent ratification of international human rights instruments and the moratorium on executions imposed in 2010. It encouraged Mongolia to abolish the death penalty in law and in practice. Ireland expressed concern about the absence of comprehensive legislation on discrimination, and about social attitudes towards a number of vulnerable groups. Ireland was concerned by some restrictions on freedom of expression and opinion. 52. Italy welcomed the moratorium on capital executions and ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. It appreciated the measures undertaken to promote women’s rights. 53. Japan commended Mongolia for ratifying various international human rights instruments, including the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, as well as for establishing various human rights-related legislation, such as the new Criminal Code. Japan expected a steady implementation of this legislation and the establishment of the rule of law. 54. Kuwait commended Mongolia for all efforts in drafting the report, which testified to the significant progress made since the previous review. It commended in particular efforts to broaden human rights protection, notably the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 55. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic was pleased to note that, since the previous universal periodic review, Mongolia had taken steps to implement a large number of accepted recommendations. It appreciated the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, promoting the rights of children and persons with disabilities, enhancing gender equality, ensuring equal access to secondary, high education and vocational training between men and women, and preventing and fighting domestic violence and human trafficking. 56. Latvia commended efforts to combat domestic violence and praised the open national education programme, an important step in allowing people to have access and continue their education no matter their location in the country. 57. Lithuania welcomed progress, namely the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the moratorium on capital punishment since 2010, judicial reform, and in the field of women’s empowerment. It remained concerned, however, about the low number of cases of domestic violence dealt with by the judicial system. 9