A/HRC/43/2 2019. It also expressed concern about continuing discrimination against religious minorities in the country. While welcoming the temporary release of several thousands of detainees following the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, it pledged support to United Nations agencies to assist the country in combating the outbreak. It, however, echoed the concerns of the Special Rapporteur’s about detainees, especially dual-nationals, and urged the country to release them on a humanitarian ground. It regretted that the Islamic Republic of Iran did not support the three recommendations it had made. 612. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela commended the Islamic Republic of Iran for its full cooperation with the universal periodic review. It also welcomed the steadfast commitment of the country to protecting human rights. It noted that, despite illegal unilateral sanctions by the United States, the country had achieved a high level of development. It also welcomed the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the second cycle review. 613. Afghanistan appreciated that the Islamic Republic of Iran supported the recommendations made by Afghanistan to set up a national human rights institution, and to protect the rights of refugees. It also expressed the hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran would give full support to the recommendation to ensure that children of registered refugees and unregistered foreigners are provided with birth certificates. 614. Belarus noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran supported the recommendations to further strengthen the national capacity in the sphere of promotion and protection of human rights taking into consideration the views of treaty bodies. It expressed the hope that the country will implement the recommendations received during the third cycle review in the light of national interests and needs. 615. Belgium welcomed that the Islamic Republic of Iran supported its recommendation to fully ensure freedoms of expression, assembly, and association by creating a conducive environment for women human rights defenders and lawyers. In this regard, it asked what concrete measures that the Government intended to take to implement this recommendation. It also expressed regrets that the country did not support its two other recommendations: the first concerned raising the minimum age of marriage and eradicating early, forced marriages; and the second was related to the abolition of the death penalty, at least for crimes committed by the people under the age of 18 years. Considering the importance of these recommendations, it urged the Islamic Republic of Iran to review its positions on them. 616. Botswana welcomed measures to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, to reduce working hours of women with special conditions, as well as the Draft Bill on the National Human Rights Institution. It also noted human rights training and education in different sectors. 617. The Philippines appreciated that the Islamic Republic of Iran supported its recommendations related to economic participation of women, climate change and training of duty-bearers on human rights. It also welcomed the committed efforts of the country to ensure universal access to education, with an emphasis on education for girls and vulnerable groups. 3. General comments made by other stakeholders 618. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of the Islamic Republic of Iran, nine other stakeholders made statements. 619. The Society of Iranian Women Advocating Sustainable Development of the Environment expressed concern about the human rights of Iranians, especially the right to a healthy environment, which had been extensively violated. It called on the Human Rights Council to be wary of unilateral attempts made by some countries to violate human rights in GE. 97