A/HRC/36/4 51. Ghana welcomed the ratification of the ILO Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156) and the adoption of both the Comprehensive Criminal Code and the National Plan for Good Living 2013-2017. It was concerned about discrimination against women and Afro-Ecuadorians. 52. Greece acknowledged the adoption of the Comprehensive Criminal Code and the criminalization of torture. It welcomed the adoption of the National Plan for Good Living and the Organic Act on Disabilities. 53. Guatemala welcomed the adoption of the Organic Act on National Equality Councils. It urged Ecuador to implement a national policy to fight racism and discrimination, with the effective participation of groups that faced discrimination. 54. Haiti praised the success of social and economic programmes, especially in reducing poverty and inequality. It welcomed improvements in the rights of women, especially their participation in public life. 55. Honduras underscored outstanding achievements in the reduction of poverty and income inequality. It congratulated Ecuador for extending an invitation to the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. 56. Hungary welcomed the significant efforts made in the field of education and the increase in girls’ enrolment. It was concerned by the persistence of discrimination against women and encouraged Ecuador to combat gender stereotypes. 57. Iceland noted the steps taken to promote gender equality. It noted with regret restrictive legal requirements for abortions. Iceland asked about steps taken to implement the recommendations Ecuador had accepted in the previous review cycle on the issue of banning corporal punishment. 58. Indonesia commended Ecuador for reducing inequalities and noted the adoption of the Organic Act on National Equality Councils and the Act on Health Care and Medical Assistance. 59. The Islamic Republic of Iran noted the progress made to improve prison infrastructure, the participation of women in public life and in the education system and the increased investment in social programmes. 60. Iraq commended Ecuador for the progress made with regard to ensuring gender equality in participation in public life, combating racial discrimination and tackling illiteracy. 61. Ireland noted the progress made in promoting the rights of children and urged Ecuador to introduce legislation to prohibit corporal punishment. It was concerned at reports of the excessive use of force by security forces during protests and demonstrations. 62. Israel stated that despite some progress in specific areas, many issues still raised concern. 63. Italy noted the State’s achievements in implementing the National Plan for Good Living and encouraged Ecuador to continue its efforts to promote and protect human rights. 64. In response to some of the questions received, the delegation stated that Ecuador had adopted a number of laws to protect human rights, such as the 2014 Comprehensive Criminal Code, which codified crimes against humanity; the Organic Act on Labour Justice, which regulated the conditions of domestic work, guaranteed access to social security for housewives and prohibited the dismissal of pregnant women, the 2015 law amending the Civil Code prohibiting the marriage of persons under the age of 18 and establishing that either spouse could administer their “conjugal society”. In 2012 the National Assembly had regulated the process of pre-legislative consultation and applied it to the drafting of a number of laws. The delegation stressed that never before had legislative processes had such a high level of citizen participation. 65. The transformation of the Ecuadorian justice system had received international recognition and was highly valued by the population. Ecuador implemented rigorous merit- 6