A/HRC/28/6 32. Ireland encouraged the Gambia to issue a standing invitation to all special procedures and to ensure that, once established, the national human rights institution will be in full compliance with the Paris Principles. It urged the Gambia to reinstate a moratorium on the death penalty. Ireland expressed concern regarding reports of arrests, arbitrary detention, intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders, and noted that the child mortality rate remained high. 33. Italy noted minor progress in the areas concerning women’s rights, legislation on sexual orientation and respect for freedom of expression, since the first review. It also expressed concern about reports of threats against and arrests of journalists. It regretted the resumption of executions in 2012. 34. Kuwait noted the progress achieved in school enrolment, the health sector, gender equality and children’s rights. It commended the adoption of the National Health Policy (2012-2020) and the Domestic Violence Act. It welcomed the ratification of CRPD and OP-CRPD. 35. Libya noted the progress in implementing recommendations and the ratification of treaties. It noted progress achieved in education, particularly the building of schools and early childhood development centres, which had led to a marked increase in enrolment at different levels of education. 36. Malaysia welcomed the enactment of the Women’s Act, the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act, and the adoption of the National Gender and Women Empowerment Policy. It noted that significant progress had been made in education, health, poverty eradication and children’s rights. 37. Maldives noted the challenges of the Gambia and the key priority areas. It welcomed the enactment of the Gender Violence Act and encouraged further legal reforms aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination against women, girls and persons with disabilities. Equality of opportunity in the social and economic spheres should be guaranteed for all, regardless of gender or disabilities. 38. Mali welcomed the creation of the National Agency against Trafficking in Persons, the adoption of the National Action Plan against Gender-Based Violence, free maternal and antenatal health care, and the adoption of the Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment. 39. Mauritania welcomed the adoption of the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act, and the significant progress made in free primary school enrolment and in gender parity. It firmly believed that the authorities were determined to create an environment conducive to press freedom and freedom of information. It encouraged OHCHR to provide technical support to the Gambia. 40. Mexico welcomed the adoption of the Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment. It noted the adoption of the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act and hoped that priority would be given to their implementation. It regretted that the moratorium on the death penalty had been breached in recent years. 41. Montenegro enquired about the main obstacles impeding the submission of overdue periodic reports and encouraged the Gambia to improve its cooperation with OHCHR and its human rights mechanisms. It regretted that the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act did not prohibit FGM. 42. Morocco noted the steps taken to promote gender parity and the empowerment of women and to eradicate gender-based violence. It welcomed the establishment of child rights and protection units in the police force and the armed forces. It also welcomed the steps taken to reform judicial institutions. 7

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